Emeritus artist Nguyễn Chánh Tín died in his sleep at home on Saturday morning. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

HCM CITY — The gallant gentleman of black and white Vietnamese cinema Nguyễn Chánh Tín passed away in his sleep early Saturday morning (January 4) at his home in HCM City aged 67.

An official from the city’s Cinema Department confirmed with Việt Nam News that Emeritus artist Nguyễn Chánh Tín died peacefully at home.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Tạ Quang Đông told Việt Nam News: "Nguyễn Chánh Tín was an outstanding actor, who has left a long-lasting impression in the hearts of each and every Vietnamese for his talent and passion in every role, be it as an actor, director or movie producer.” 

The actor’s daughter told reporters that her mother, singer Bích Trâm, came in to wake him up but found he had passed away.

“This is shocking to our family,” his daughter said.

Actor Nguyễn Chánh Tín was born in 1952 in Bạc Liêu Town, Rạch Giá Province, in a family with a tradition in martial arts.

He first starred in a movie in 1972 in Sài Gòn. Chánh Tín and his wife Bích Trâm were singers and became a famous duo after 1975.

The actor played the role of Nguyễn Thành Luân, portraying a Việt Cộng agent in Ván bài lật ngửa (Cards on the Table), a film series that drew thousands of viewers to their black and white television sets in the 1980s, making him famous throughout the country.

Many viewers fell for the good-looking man who was dubbed Việt Nam’s Alain Delon, after the French cinema legend.

"He was a talented and truthful artist. He was part of and witnessed the growth of our cinema. His departure left a vast void to fill in Vietnamese cinema, which is felt by all cinema generations before and after him," deputy minister Đông said.

Many fans posted comments on social media, saying “Farewell, Nguyễn Thành Luân! Rest in Peace!”

Nguyễn Chánh Tín starred in his last film in 2017, when he returned to acting. He is survived by his wife and two children. His son is heading to Việt Nam from Canada to attend the star’s funeral. — VNS