Veteran Singapore actor Moses Lim dies at 75

SINGAPORE – Local veteran actor Moses Lim, best known for his work in TV sitcom Under One Roof, died on Feb 11 at the age of 75.

The news of his death was announced on his Facebook account on the morning of Feb 12.

The post noted the various roles Lim had played, such as his work on Channel 8 variety series Comedy Nite (1990 to 2000, 2003 to 2004) and his most famous part as beloved patriarch Tan Ah Teck in the popular Channel 5 comedy series Under One Roof (1995 to 2003).

“Those who had the privilege of working with him speak warmly of his generosity in mentoring younger talents and his absolute dedication to his craft,” read the Facebook post announcing Lim’s death.

“Whether he was delivering punchlines in English or Chinese, Moses had that incredible gift of making everyone feel like family – that was his magic.” 

Lim was known for his love for food, later becoming a food critic. He founded and managed Moses Lim Gourmet Club, which organised gourmet tours.

He leaves behind his wife Monica, daughters Grace and Angela, and four granddaughters.

Lim, who had heart surgery in 2018, revealed in an interview with news website 8world that he was diagnosed with slow pulse rate in late 2022, but declined to get an artificial cardiac pacemaker despite being advised by a doctor to do so. He explained that he was against it due to his age, and that it was better to avoid surgical procedures, having taken three months to recover after heart surgery, which had complications.

He added that his pulse and heartbeat were normal in a scan six months later, after he became more conscious of his diet.

The post on Lim’s Facebook page read: “Take your bow, Tan Ah Teck. You’ve given us the performance of a lifetime. A television icon, a devoted father and a Singapore treasure.

“What a wonderful show it has been.”

Actor Nicholas Lee, who played Lim’s son Ronnie Tan in Under One Roof, paid tribute to his on-screen father. “My dearest Moses, you are like the second dad I’ve lost, and the pain is indescribable,” Lee wrote on Instagram on Feb 12.

“I shall treasure always and fondly the many moments we shared during those years of incredible joy. Unforgettable and irreplaceable. I’m so thankful to be able to share one last scene with you just last month. Sleep well, Dad, love you always.”

Local actor-director Jack Neo, who worked closely alongside Lim on Comedy Nite, recalled their days together on the long-running variety show. “We went from being strangers to meeting by chance, and later became the best partners. You are the most precious asset in my life,” Neo wrote in Chinese on Facebook on Feb 12.

“We came up with many interesting skits which we used for a long time. We made the skit about always encountering telephone recordings when calling a large company, and you also imitated the operators speaking various languages, which was hilarious.”

Neo added: “We teamed up for all kinds of big and small performances, immersed in laughter and applause together. You were better than me in English, and we always hosted in both languages on stage. We were a perfect and invincible match.”

Veteran television producer and entrepreneur Robert Chua, who is based in Hong Kong, said he frequently met up with Lim whenever he was in town. He added that it was only a month ago that they last saw each other, at Chinese restaurant Ju Xing Home at Takashimaya Shopping Centre.

“I was looking forward to meeting him late next week upon my return to Singapore. He was a very talented star who was also very kind to everyone,” Mr Chua wrote on Facebook on Feb 12. “He was my key star on the satellite TV channel CETV, which I launched, where he co-starred with (the late Hong Kong actress-host) Lydia Sum. He will be forever missed.”

Award-winning celebrity chef Eric Teo, who was officially introduced to Lim in 2000 through Lim’s daughter Angela, said Lim was “more than a friend” to him. He credited Lim for being a mentor and guide, teaching him the ins and outs of appearing on television.

Teo wrote on Instagram on Feb 12: “I watched his shows on Mediacorp and always loved his bubbly character and quick-witted replies. He’s very talented and has great passion for food.”

Lim, a former student of Catholic High School and Maris Stella High School, first honed his comedic skills performing xiangsheng (crosstalk), a form of stand-up comedy, in the 1970s.

His show business career kicked off in the 1990s when Channel 8 launched its Chinese-language variety show programming. Lim and Neo, then also an unknown, answered the broadcaster’s call for hosting duos for its new show Comedy Nite. The move launched both Lim and Neo to national stardom.

In 1995, Lim successfully crossed over to the English-speaking world with Under One Roof, and became a leading player on both channels. He went on to become the first Singaporean to bag an Asian Television Award for Best Male Actor in a Comedy in 1996.

Lim was also nominated in the Star Awards’ Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes category for five consecutive years, from 2001 to 2005, and took home a trophy in 2004.

He ventured onto the big screen, appearing in local films such as One Leg Kicking (2001), Twilight Kitchen (2003), Just Follow Law (2007) and Our Sister Mambo (2015).

Outside the entertainment industry, Lim was a pioneer in food tours via his Moses Lim Gourmet Club. Since 1993, he had been organising and leading travellers on trips around the world in search of culinary delights.

His wake will take place from 11am on Feb 13 at Church of the Good Shepherd at 2 Dundee Road. The cortege leaves for Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium at noon on Feb 15.

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