Nguyễn Chánh Tín

Merited Artist Nguyễn Chánh Tín (November 29, 1952 – January 4, 2020) was a Vietnamese film actor, director and TV presenter. Initially a successful singer in 1970s South Vietnam, he turned to acting in theatre troupes following the confiscation of his properties by the new Vietnamese government and struggled to make a living. While incarcerated after a failed attempt to escape to America at the border, he was offered the role Robert Nguyễn Thành Luân in the series Ván Bài Lật Ngửa / Cards on the Table (1982 - 1987), which then became the most memorable and iconic performance of his acting career, earning him a Best Actor award at 1985 Vietnam Film Festival. With good looks and great onscreen presence, Chánh Tín quickly garnered a large base of supporters, and rose to prominence as a veteran actor in 1990s Vietnamese cinema. He tried his hand at screenwriting in 1992 with a psychological horror, Ngôi Nhà Oan Khốc, which grossed over 1 billion VND at the time of its release. Next, Bến Sông Trăng (1998) marked his return to socio-psychological films. In the mid-2000s, he made his mark with Dòng Máu Anh Hùng (2006), directed by Charlie Nguyen, his nephew. In 1995, Chánh Tín opened Cinema Pictures in California, USA. After 20 years, the company changed its name to Chánh Phương Film Studio and tried to promote Dòng Máu Anh Hùng worldwide. Although the film gained critical acclaim, pirating and leaking caused the company heavy financial losses. Bankrupt, Chánh Tín sold his villa in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City and moved into an apartment building. He sang at tea rooms, sold liquor and acted to make ends meet. Chánh Tín passed away after a stroke on 4 January 2020, several months after his 67th birthday. He was awarded the title of National Distinguished Artist by the government of Vietnam.