Nicholas Tse has confirmed that his father, the veteran Hong Kong actor Patrick Tse, died on July 20, 2026, at the age of 89. News of his passing drew tributes from across Hong Kong's entertainment world and from audiences who grew up with his work.
Born in 1936, Patrick Tse worked in film for more than seventy years, one of the few Hong Kong actors whose career reached across several distinct eras. He was known in his early years as a romantic lead, and in later decades for the assured, understated performances he brought to a wide range of roles.
A career across eras
In the 1970s, Tse belonged to a well-known social circle within the industry that the press nicknamed the Silver Rat group. That set of figures witnessed Hong Kong's entertainment industry grow from its early days into a golden age, and became part of a shared public memory.
He remained active on screen well into his later years. In 2019 he received the Hong Kong Film Awards' Lifetime Achievement honour, and in 2022, at the age of 85, he won Best Actor, becoming the oldest performer to take the award in its history.
A settled outlook
Tse once reflected on his view of life in an interview. The most important thing, he said, was to see things clearly, and he spoke of wanting to say goodbye to the world at his happiest moment. That composure left a lasting impression on many who knew him.
For Hong Kong cinema, his death marks the further fading of an era. The many films he leaves behind will keep his presence in audiences' memories.
