Melissa Ng

Melissa Ng Mei-hang (born 9 February 1972) is a retired American Hong Kong television actress born in China. She had been under contract to the television station TVB since 1996 after coming second in the Miss Chinese International Pageant, retiring from acting in 2007. Ng speaks fluent English with an American accent, Cantonese, and Mandarin. She currently resides in Hong Kong.

Early life and family Ng was born in Guangdong, China, where both her parents were doctors. She and her family immigrated to San Francisco, California, when Ng was nine years old. Ng has two elder sisters and a younger sister. In 2007, Ng revealed that she has been married to a Taiwanese businessman since 2001.

Acting career

After graduating with a major in international relations and a minor in marketing at San Francisco State University, Ng entered the Hong Kong entertainment industry in 1996, after placing 1st runner up in Miss Chinese International 1996; she represented San Francisco after she won Miss Chinatown USA in 1992.

She began playing minor guest roles before quickly being offered the second female lead in the late 1990s gaining popularity quickly. In early to late 2000s, she played a number of diverse female lead roles in many popular and critically acclaimed TVB series with positive reviews and praise from audiences. Her many series include A Kindred Spirit, The Legend of Lady Yang, Secret of the Heart, Riches and Stitches, A Herbalist Affair, Healing Hands III, Into Thin Air. Her 2006 series La Femme Desperado and Love Guaranteed received the best and 4th best TVB series ratings of the year respectively with the first winning the TVB Anniversary Award for Best Series.

In 2007, she confirmed the rumours that she had been married since 2001 and that she was expecting her first child, which led to her having to pull out of filming several series while on maternity leave. In 2008, while promoting The Master of Tai Chi, she stated that she plans to return and continue filming for TVB very soon. It was later confirmed by TVB that she ultimately made the decision to retire from acting and focus on her family. She has since kept a low profile.

Pageant career Ng was crowned Miss Chinatown USA 1992. After winning the Miss Chinatown USA Pageant based in the city of San Francisco, she represented San Francisco at Miss Chinese International 1996. Ng had an interview during the final night, where she challenged Eric Tsang, and was later crowned as 1st runner up. Due to her strong Cantonese and communication skills, she earned a contract with TVB. Ng was one of the emcee's for the 2002 Miss Chinese International Pageant.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes 1997 Dark Tales 2 Supporting role 1997 Untraceable Evidence Tam Wai Yan Guest role 1997 Detective Investigation Files III Yu Siu Yu Guest role 1998 A Place of One's Own Main cast 1998 Burning Flame Ching Nga Minor role 1998 Secret of the Heart Kam Fung Yan (Jo) Supporting role 1998 Journey To The West II Cameo 1999 Detective Investigation Files IV Chow Yeuk Mui / Lam Wing Hang Guest role 1999 Till When Do Us Part Amanda Second lead role 1999 A Kindred Spirit Law San Chiu Supporting role 2000 The Legend of Lady Yang Concubine Mui Second lead role 2000 A Matter of Customs Pao Kei-kwan Supporting role 2000 The Green Hope Shum Kai Kwan Supporting role 2000 Crimson Sabre Wan Yee/Wan Sin Main cast 2000 Death Trap Telemovie Supporting role 2001 ICAC Investigators 2000 Anna Main cast Part 1 out of 5 2001 Hope for Sale Yim Mei Chu Second lead role 2002 A Herbalist Affair Keung Sam Yuet Main cast 2002 Good Against Evil Yung Siu Dien Supporting role 2003 The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow Shum Yat-Oi (Rachel) Second lead role 2004 Riches and Stitches Lang Heung Ling Main cast 2004 The Conqueror's Story Consort Yu Main cast 2004 Dream of Colours Poon Bo Ling (Elaine) Main cast 2005 Fantasy Hotel Yung Ka Man Lead role 2005 Into Thin Air Lai Siu/Mok Wai Chi Lead role 2005 Healing Hands III Yip To (Sarah) Main cast 2006 La Femme Desperado Ko Chi Ling Lead role 2006 Love Guaranteed Kuk Yeuk Hei (Hazel) Lead role 2008 The Master of Tai Chi Song Ching Lead role

Awards 1996 Miss Chinese International Pageant: First Runner Up 1992 Miss Chinatown USA Winner