Tributes have flooded in for the late Australian actor Gregory Charles Rivers after news of his alleged suicide at his residence in Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong last Friday, February 2. The Hong Kong TV drama icon, discovered near a tray of burning coals at his home in Tai Au Mun Village, has left a void in the hearts of his fans and admirers.
Police, responding to a tip from Rivers’ family, did not find a farewell letter at the scene of the tragedy. The 58-year-old actor’s untimely death sparked an outpouring of grief on social media platforms over the weekend, with hundreds of fans expressing their grief on his Facebook page.
Gareth Williams, Australia’s consul-general in Hong Kong and Macau, joined the chorus of mourners, expressing his deep sadness at Rivers’ death.
“Born in Gympie, Queensland, Rivers moved to HK in 1988 and became one of the most famous foreign Cantonese-speaking actors on Hong Kong television. My sincere condolences to Rivers’ family and many friends.”
Rivers’ journey to fame began less than four decades ago when he bought a one-way ticket to Hong Kong, initially intending to work as an English teacher. Fate intervened, leading him to meet his wife, Bonnie Cheung, in the bustling city. After that, he secured a contract with TVB, the leading local free-to-air television company, starting his famous career in drama series.
Known for his command of the Cantonese language, Rivers has graced the screen in more than 200 soap operas, portraying a diverse array of characters from high-ranking police officers to foreign ambassadors. Embracing the local culture, he adopted the Chinese name Ho Kwok-wing, symbolizing his closeness to the late Leslie Cheung.
Legacy
Fans recalled Rivers’ passion for Cantonese culture and his significant artistic contribution to Hong Kong.
“His love for Hong Kong, its film, television, music culture and Cantonese really shined through.”
Ivan Ho, a recruitment expert, fondly recalled Rivers’ omnipresence in local dramas, noting his role as a colonial-era policeman in the online series OCTB.
“He learned Cantonese and truly assimilated into society. It shows his love for the place, because Cantonese is very difficult to learn.”
Sally Andersen, founder of Hong Kong Dog Rescue, revealed Rivers’ altruistic side, noting his long-standing support for the charity. Despite personal challenges, including the recent death of his wife and his battle with skin cancer, Rivers has remained committed to philanthropy, the South China Morning Post reported.
Yannie Wong, the charity’s head of education and projects, praised Rivers’ generosity, citing his donation of concert proceeds to their cause.
“Even though it wasn’t a huge amount, his heart was important.”
If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, contact Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please contact your friends or relatives at this time if you are feeling lonely, stressed or depressed. Ask for help.
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