Although youth and good looks are not the only assets an actor need possess, in today's movie and TV circles, those who are lucky enough to have an attractive appearance enjoy a considerable advantage. But an outstanding exception is actor Sun Yueh.
From the time he was a mere understudy to the present, when he is a top box-office draw, his energy and glamour have not gone down with increasing age, but have shot up like the mercury in a thermometer plunged into boiling water. In an industry dominated by young men, veteran Sun Yueh commands an enviable position.
Sun says, "Everyone has a desire to act; some people use literature, art, or music to express their inner world, but I use acting." When he was young, Sun thought of pursuing every sort of occupation. "I wanted to try so many things, so I guess acting is the only way to fulfill my dreams!"
During his childhood in Tientsin, he got bad marks in every subject except drama. At the age of fifteen he left school and joined the Nationalist government's Youth Expeditionary Force, and thereafter participated in military campaigns in various parts of China. This gave Sun a chance to see many kinds of people and places, a great education. In 1949, when his unit was transferred to Taiwan, only 30 or so of the 128 soldiers who joined when Sun did were still alive. Sun had become old in outlook while still young in years. But the greatest change Sun under-went in his years in the army was in his attitude toward reading. In his unit there were some soldiers who held a reading circle, and Sun joined in, developing a love for reading he has never given up.
Sun says, "I always feel I am very lucky, people notice me very readily." An example of this came after Sun arrived in Taiwan--when he was not yet twenty years old. One night when his unit was having special entertainment, he and some buddies got drunk. Sun then brazenly mounted the stage and "performed" for forty or fifty minutes. The next day his commander assigned Sun to the theatrical unit, saying, "Even when you've had too much to drink you act so well; you're a genius!" Thus Sun's professional acting career began. But to this day, Sun doesn't dare ask what he did that night.
Sun began as an understudy, and worked hard, even though he might not get a chance to act. Hence, when he did appear, his performances were well received. Sun remembers, "the first time I appeared onstage was like a dream come true. I resolved to diligently pursue my craft, to be ready for any role."
In the 1960s, movies and TV were burgeoning, and Sun decided, "Even though in my opinion the stage was the real place for acting, I had to change with the times to reach more people." His first step was to leave the army. When he spoke to his commanding officer about leaving the service, the commander worried that Sun might not find work, and offered to let him continue part-time work in the army's theater troupe. But Sun decided he could only make the change if he burned his bridges behind him, so he declined the offer.
At first he got jobs dubbing radio plays, and bit parts in movies. Many of the movies were flops, but his roles, mostly as heavies, began to attract attention. His portrayal of a communist cadre got him a contract with a movie company. In 1969, another role won him the Golden Horse award for best supporting actor, the first time someone playing the heavy had won the award. That also won him the nicknames "King of the heavies," and "schemer Sun."
But at this juncture, as his earnings were rising, Sun realized he was more and more unhappy. "Around 1970, I was living very selfishly, always thinking I was smarter than the next guy. I was resting on past laurels, and repeating the same sorts of roles over and over." He saw he was in acting for the money, and grew disgusted with himself.
Not only was Sun disgusted with himself, even his own children didn't want to admit to classmates that he was their father. He resolved to only accept roles in better films, and to improve his own abilities. "I first had to seek my own progress; that was the only way to go."
His reputation began to be restored, both because of his evident desire for quality and because of his honest, open approach in dealing with people. "I speak my mind to people; I don't want to say one thing to their faces and another behind their backs."
But even bigger changes were coming. Two years ago, a stunt required that he make an eleven-story jump with only a thin wire for protection. A good friend said, "Don't go fooling around with your life." The people on the set asked if he wanted a stuntman to stand in. But Sun thought, "How can I fool around with someone else's life? He's a man just like me, how can I think my life is important and his isn't?" This was four days before he was to be baptized into the Christian church. He prayed, "This is my duty as an actor. No matter what the result, I trust your will, and I know you will always be with me." He completed the stunt with calm resolve.
On August 16, 1981, Sun was baptized. He says, "After I became a Christian, I was able to live in a more positive way, and to take the 'I' in my life and turn it into a 'we,' and not be as selfish as I had been before. I can't be sure how well I'll do, but I will strive for this." Sun now thinks the purpose of life is not just to be "a good person," but to help others. He gives blood four times a year, and donates a part of the income from his commercials to a children's scholarship fund. In July of this year Sun went with a church service group to northern Thailand, for thirty-five days, to help refugees fleeing from communist-dominated Indochina.
Sun appreciates the help his wife has given him over the years. "When I left the army theater unit, and when I went to the war zone in Thailand, my wife could have stopped me by saying no, but she never opposed me. She always supports me; she's like a rearguard, giving me courage to face difficulties."
Sun wants to continue trying new roles, and constantly studies the work of other actors to improve his craft. With this attitude, perhaps he will be even more glamorous at the age of seventy than he is today.
[Picture Caption]
Sun Yueh is always seeking breakthroughs; living strictly, acting with self-respect. 1.2.3.4. The animated face of Sun Yueh in conversation. 5. Since his start in movies, Sun has always been willing to try something new. One of his most popular portrayals was a play fully acted old, but young-at-heart Japanese geisha.
1. A picture of Sun's family. The four of them are always cheerful, and usually casually dressed in jeans at home. 2. Sun doing comedy. His non-satirical comedy style makes a deep impression. 3. T'ao Ta-wei is Sun's frequent companion in comedy; they bring out the best in each other. 4. Sun got his start in comedy in the 1970s, in a TV skit with Chang Hsiao-yen.
1. In early days Sun was famous as a heavy. 2.3. Sun's first starring role was as an old deaf-mute in Papa Can You Hear Me Sing?, a role he played uniquely well. 4. His "Rhapsody of the Little Guy," performed with T'ao Ta-wei and Hsia Ling-ling, won wide critical acclaim.
Sun Yueh's portrayal of an old woman gets lots of laughs.
Sun Yueh is always seeking breakthroughs; living strictly, acting with self-respect. 1.2.3.4. The animated face of Sun Yueh in conversation.
Sun Yueh is always seeking breakthroughs; living strictly, acting with self-respect. 1.2.3.4. The animated face of Sun Yueh in conversation.
Sun Yueh is always seeking breakthroughs; living strictly, acting with self-respect. 1.2.3.4. The animated face of Sun Yueh in conversation.
5. Since his start in movies, Sun has always been willing to try something new. One of his most popular portrayals was a play fully acted old, but young-at-heart Japanese.
1. A picture of Sun's family. The four of them are always cheerful, and usually casually dressed in jeans at home.
2. Sun doing comedy. His non-satirical comedy style makes a deep impression.
3. T'ao Ta-wei is Sun's frequent companion in comedy; they bring out the best in each other.
4. Sun got his start in comedy in the 1970s, in a TV skit with Chang Hsiao-yen.
1. In early days Sun was famous as a heavy.
2.3. Sun's first starring role was as an old deaf-mute in Papa Can You Hear Me Sing?, a role he played uniquely well.
2.3. Sun's first starring role was as an old deaf-mute in Papa Can You Hear Me Sing?, a role he played uniquely well.
4. His "Rhapsody of the Little Guy," performed with T'ao Ta-wei and Hsia Ling-ling, won wide critical acclaim.
Sun Yueh's portrayal of an old woman gets lots of laughs.
