Born in 1969, Benny Chan was scouted on the streets and quickly became a rising star thanks to his scholarly looks and versatile acting. He rose to fame through iconic roles such as Tuan Yu in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1996), Sun Wukong in Journey to the West II (1998) and Na-tsa in Gods of Honour (2001). In the 1990s, he was one of Hong Kong’s most popular entertainers, even earning the affectionate title of “prince of period dramas.” At his peak, his popularity rivaled or even surpassed that of Andy Lau and Louis Koo.
In 2011, Chan shocked the entertainment world by marrying model Lisa Jiang. However, his career and reputation suffered a massive blow soon after, when he and fellow actor Joe Ma were accused of inappropriate behavior toward 19-year-old actress Rose Chan while under the influence of alcohol. The scandal exploded when photos of the incident surfaced, leaving both men unable to deny their misconduct.
Initially, Chan tried to defend himself by claiming he was merely “comforting” the younger actress. But the public condemned him for cheating on his pregnant wife and acting inappropriately toward a colleague. To salvage his image, Chan and his wife held a tearful press conference apologizing to fans, with Jiang pleading for forgiveness while heavily pregnant.
Although Chan later devoted himself to his family and frequently shared happy family moments online, he continued to face criticism for pressuring his wife into four C-section births within five years and for often being absent while she cared for their children. His image worsened further when he was caught in questionable interactions with co-stars in 2014 while his wife was pregnant with their third child.
The scandal permanently damaged his reputation. Chan was labeled a womanizer and unfaithful husband, and his acting career spiraled downward. Once a top star, he resorted to low-quality film projects for quick paychecks, earning the nickname “king of trash films.”
In recent years, unlike many of his contemporaries, the 56-year-old actor has had to keep working relentlessly, appearing in nearly 20 projects within three years—none of which received critical acclaim. On top of that, his fondness for cosmetic surgery left his face stiff and unnatural, further hindering his performances.
Once admired as the “ageless idol” of Chinese television, Chan can no longer maintain his youthful charm. Even with heavy makeup, signs of aging are evident, and when cast as a young scholar, his appearance feels forced and unconvincing. For many fans, his transformation is a sorrowful reminder of how one of the most celebrated “male gods” of an era fell from grace.
Sources: K14
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