Quang Thái
March 20, 1937 – June 17, 2019
Hải Phòng, Vietnam
Distinguished Artist Quang Thái (full name Bùi Quang Thái, b. 20 March 1937 in Hải Phòng province - 17 June 2019) was a Vietnamese actor in film and theater. He belonged to the second generation of the Vietnam National Drama Theater (Nhà hát kịch Việt Nam), alongside other names such as Đào Mộng Long, Song Kim, Trúc Quỳnh and Mạnh Linh. Quang Thái began acting in film in 1959 when he was cast in the first Vietnamese revolutionary film "On the Same River" (Chung một dòng sông, d. Phạm Văn Khoa, 1959); but was moved from the lead role to a secondary one due to his rather too "Western" looks. He then found success on the stage, with well remembered roles like Sergei in "The Story of Lec scut" (Câu chuyện Lec scut). Ranf in "The Island of Venus" (Hòn đảo thần vệ nữ), Bottom in Summer's Dream (Giấc mộng đêm hè),... Notable Vietnamese plays in which he participated include "The Eyes" (Đôi mắt), "Storm of the Sea" (Bão biển), "Rainy Night" (Đêm mưa) and "The Gunhand of the People" (Tay súng quân dân). In 1980, Quang Thái returned to cinema in his second film role as architect Dương Tấn in "Where Lovers Meet" (Nơi gặp gỡ của tình yêu, d. Long Vân), acting alongside other famous contemporaries, Thế Anh and Thẩm Thúy Hằng. Eventually at the age of 45, Quang Thái achieved a breakthrough in his film career, starring as the real-life figure Tư Chung, Chief of the Saigon Rangers in the TV series of the same name (d. Long Vân, 1982-1986). Another legendary name of Vietnamese cinema, actor Chánh Tín, was also considered for the role. Quang Thái retired in 1999, but shortly after came back for his last credit in "A Summer Night's Dream" (Giấc mộng đêm hè).
