Gurmit Singh

Gurmit Singh Virk, more commonly known simply as Gurmit Singh, (born 24 March 1965) is a Singaporean actor, comedian, and host. He was prominently a full-time Mediacorp artiste from 1994 to 2014. He is best known for his role as the titular protagonist named Phua Chu Kang in Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd, Phua Chu Kang Sdn Bhd and Phua Chu Kang The Movie, for which he won the Asian Television Awards prize for Best Performance by an Actor (Comedy) five times, from 1998 to 2001 and in 2003 for the former. From 2004 to 2005, he won the Highly Commended prize.

Early life Born in Singapore to a Sikh Indian father, Chainchal Singh Virk and a mother of mixed Chinese and Japanese descent, Singh was brought up as a Sikh, but converted to Christianity in 1985. Singh studied in Outram Secondary School during his years in secondary school.

Singh married Melissa Wong in 1995, who is a Cantonese Chinese. They have three children, Gabrielle (born 1997), Elliot (born 2002) and Mikaela (born 2013). Singh is an alumnus of National Police Cadet Corps and held the rank of Cadet Inspector.

Singh is a native English speaker owing to his multiracial heritage and is also fluent in Malay as he learnt it as his Mother Tongue Language at school.

Career

Making his debut in the variety show named Live On 5 in 1994, he then became the host and lead actor in the sketch comedy sitcom based on him known as Gurmit's World, which was also debuted in 1994 for the 1st season after Live On 5 Season 1 ended. The 2nd season of Gurmit's World, which continued in 1995, Singh portrayed his 'relatives' in a series of skits (unlike the first season where he played a wide assortment of mostly non-recurring characters), featured the first appearance of a character and general contractor named Phua Chu Kang, where he is one of the 6 characters that Singh was portraying in the 2nd season of Gurmit's World. The Singlish-based spin-off sitcom based on Phua Chu Kang known as Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd in 1997 made Singh a popular icon, not only in Singapore, but also in neighbouring countries (especially Malaysia and the Riau Islands of Indonesia, as well as the Philippines). This factor leads to having another spin-off sitcom sequel based in Malaysia known as Phua Chu Kang Sdn Bhd (2009–2010).

In 2013, Singh was nominated for the Best Actor prize at the 1st Golden Wau Awards, aimed at promoting Chinese-language Malaysian films, for his role in Phua Chu Kang The Movie (2010).

In October 2014, the Madame Tussauds Singapore museum unveiled a wax figure of Phua Chu Kang.

In November 2014, Singh announced that he would leave the entertainment industry at the end of his full-time television career at Mediacorp - after exactly 20 years. Singh shared that he planned to spend more time with his family and would take on engagements on a more selective basis.

In July 2017, Singh was announced by the Dover Park Hospice as the Hospice Ambassador.

In August 2020, Phua Chu Kang was announced and signed as Shopee's first Singaporean brand ambassador.

Filmography

Film

Television YearName of ShowRoleNotesRef 1996 Can I Help You? Sam Pereira/Phua Chu KangAlso portrayed Phua Chu Kang in only 1 episode known as Use Your Blain: The Return of Phua Chu Kang episode, reprising his role from Gurmit's World Season 2 1997 Shiver Father 1997–2007 Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd Phua Chu Kang Also portrayed Phua Ah Pa (Phua Chu Kang's Father) in certain episodes 2002 The Amazing Race 3 As a cameo appearance, giving out clues to the teams. Originally meant to be the pit stop greeter. 2003 My Sister Harmie Rani Kaur's brother Brothers 4 Tony Chung Baby Boom Adam 2005–2008 Lifeline CPT Daniel De Souza 2007 80's Rewind Larry Goh The Noose Multiple characters Prominently as Roy Terse and Windy Miao 2008–2009 Calefare Andy Lau Hong Cosmo & George Cosmo

Skit & Entertainment YearName of ShowRoleNotes 1994 Live On 5 Host Gurmit's World Host and lead actor Portrayed many different characters and also Phua Chu Kang as well 1995 Family Fun Show Toa Payoh Roadshow TCS 1st Anniversary 1996 Gotcha! Host Courtesy Show TCS 2nd Anniversary Singapore National Day Parade Host 1997 A National Day Special Host Anti-Smoking Show Terry Fox Run Courtesy Show A Nation Connects Singapore National Day Parade Host Anti-Drug Show Disney Fest 1998 Tonight With Gurmit Host Courtesy Campaign 20th Anniversary Asian Television Awards Show SingTel Hello Concert High on Life Singapore National Day Parade Host Anti-Drug Show Swing Singapore Party President Star's Charity

Others YearName of ShowRole 1998 Beauty World: The Musical TBA 2000 My Lonely Tarts TBA 2005 Phua Chu Kang - The Musical Phua Chu Kang

Discography Albums Sing Singapore 2002 : One (We Are One) (2002) duet with Tay Ping Hui One Leg Kicking Original Soundtrack: 'Calling': "Into The House" (2001) Moments Gurmit's debut album (2015) Gurmit Goes Local (1995) comedy album

Compilations A Happy Journey Starts Like That! (2009) The PCK Sar-vivor Rap (2003) Love, No Boundaries: "Into the House" (2001) [album single]

Awards and nominations