{"id":5209,"date":"2020-12-10T16:37:31","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T08:37:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=5209"},"modified":"2021-04-08T15:05:50","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T07:05:50","slug":"chi-tai-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/chi-tai-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Beloved Comedian Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i Passes Away From Stroke, Tributes From Fans Around The World Pour In"},"content":{"rendered":"

Comedian Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i died of a stroke<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Anyone who has travelled on a long-distance bus, train, or ship in Vietnam must have come across Youtube comedies flashed on the screen at least once. These skits such as <\/span>Con S\u00e1o Sang S\u00f4ng<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Xe \u00d4m<\/span><\/a><\/em>, and <\/span>Chung M\u1ed9t M\u00e1i Nh\u00e0<\/span><\/a><\/em> have gained so much playtime on public transportation and raked in record-high views hitting over 70 million on Youtube, a desired number for any Youtuber or artist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What these videos have in common is that they all feature<\/span> Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i<\/b>, an acclaimed Vietnamese comedian based in the US. Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i didn\u2019t possess a handsome face or a heavenly voice that could sweep the audience off their feet. However, his incredible sense of humor has been keeping tired passengers entertained and grumpy drivers awake on long-distance road strips for decades.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, we might need to hold on tight to the endearing images of him in these clips, as they\u2019re now the last we\u2019ll see of him. On 9th December, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i passed away from a stroke at the age of 62.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i suffered a massive stroke on the staircase of his apartment building<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"comedian
\nImage credit: Phap Luat\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Comedian Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i, 62, died during his daily morning jog at a staircase at Botanic Towers Apartment Building, Phu Nhuan District, Saigon. He was later found by a neighbor who helped call an ambulance to bring him to University Medical Center HCMC in District 5.<\/p>\n

\"comedian
\nThe last image of the comedian captured on the building\u2019s CCTV footage on the day of his passing<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>Doi Song Phap Luat<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>According to the medical examiner, he died of a stroke, VTV said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\"comedian
\nAn ambulance transporting Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i\u2019s body to the funeral home<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>Thanh Nien<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

At the time of his death, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i was living on his own in Saigon.<\/p>\n

\"Phuong
\nImage credit: Danh hai Chi Tai<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Because of COVID-19, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i\u2019s wife Ph\u01b0\u01a1ng Loan, who is currently in the US, cannot fly to Vietnam to arrange his funeral-related affairs any time soon.<\/p>\n

She has entrusted comedian Ho\u00e0i Linh<\/strong>, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i\u2019s close friend, to arrange for his body to be flown back to the US for an official funeral attended by Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i\u2019s family members, a source familiar with the story said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Comedian Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i\u2019s career throughout the years<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"comedian
\nImage credit: Bao Moi<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

While Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i (1958-2020) has gained the most popularity in the arena of comedy starring alongside his stage partner Ho\u00e0i Linh, he was also a very talented musician of his time.<\/p>\n

After emigrating to the US in 1981 with his family, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i insisted on pursuing his musical passion by enrolling in a guitar and jazz class near his home. With his father\u2019s allowance, he bought a set of musical instruments and founded a music band called \u201cChi Tai\u2019s Brothers<\/strong>\u201d that included vocalist Ph\u01b0\u01a1ng Loan, who later became his wife.<\/p>\n

\"Chi
\nCh\u00ed T\u00e0i performing with his band<\/em>
\nImage adapted from: <\/span>Asia Entertainment Official<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i\u2019s Brothers soon gained popularity among Vietnamese communities in the US and were invited to perform on the stage of Paris by Night<\/strong><\/a>, starting from the Paris by Night 18 Christmas show. He later collaborated with plenty of US-based Vietnamese artists and writers, writing songs and developing soundtracks for them. Little did many know that most of Paris by Night\u2019s comedy soundtracks were created by Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i himself.<\/p>\n

1997 marked an eventful turn in Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i\u2019s career as he started to try his hand in an area that he had never been trained in – comedy<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Hoai
\nCh\u00ed T\u00e0i (left) and Ho\u00e0i Linh (right)<\/em>
\nImage adapted from: <\/span>Thuy Nga<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

He started to perform with Ho\u00e0i Linh, who already was an established comedian in the day, in sketch comedies that aired on Paris by Night shows. These skits covered a variety of societal topics, primarily with a focus on the struggles of Vietnamese people living in the US.<\/p>\n

\"comedian
\nImage adapted from: Thuy Nga<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Endowed with hilarious facial expressions, comic sensibility, and the laid-back attitude typical of a Vietnamese uncle-next-door, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i could easily crack the crowds up with his lighthearted on-stage antics and make them feel as if they were in Vietnam.<\/p>\n

\"Hoai
\nCh\u00ed T\u00e0i and Ho\u00e0i Linh were close friends on and off stage<\/em>
\nImage adapted from: <\/span>D\u1ea1 C\u1ed5 Ho\u00e0i Lang<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i and Ho\u00e0i Linh\u2019s collaborations soon achieved overwhelming reactions from Vietnamese viewers all over the world, and later blossomed into a friendship that spanned over 2 decades.<\/p>\n

Some of Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i\u2019s most famous works include <\/span>Con S\u00e1o Sang S\u00f4ng<\/span><\/a><\/em> aired on Paris by Night 75, telling the story of a family going broke because of their father\u2019s addiction to gambling. This comedy clip has gained over 75 million views at the time of writing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"comedian
\nImage adapted from: Thuy Nga<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Xe \u00d4m<\/span><\/a><\/em>, a comedy skit aired on Paris by Night 104 about a pitiful biker and a strange customer, has grossed over 51 million views.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Hoai
\nImage adapted from: D\u1ea1 C\u1ed5 Ho\u00e0i Lang<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In 2017, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i starred in D\u1ea1 C\u1ed5 Ho\u00e0i Lang (Hello Vietnam)<\/em>, a heart-rending blockbuster about two old Vietnamese men struggling to adapt to life in the US. In this movie, he successfully portrayed the life of a Vietnamese man battling with nostalgia for his home country amid conflicts with his family members.<\/p>\n

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Fans and celebrities are still in disbelief<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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A dedicated, talented, and humble artist, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i has won the hearts of millions of Vietnamese audiences throughout the years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tributes to Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i have been pouring in after his former manager confirmed the comedian cum musician, who brought laughter to Vietnamese communities all over the world for more than two decades, had died.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fans all over the world and fellow musicians were in disbelief that the 62-year-old, who always exercised regularly and exuded positive energy wherever he went, had passed on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"comedian
\nImage credit: Subtle Viet Traits<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t know [this man], your parents will. This man is a legend.\u201d <\/span>Hi\u1ec7p Nguy\u1ec5n<\/span><\/a>, a Facebook user commented on a post about Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i\u2019s passing on the Subtle Viet Traits Facebook group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Vietnamese residents living overseas, especially in the US, Vietnamese comedies that usually featured iconic duos such as Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i and Ho\u00e0i Linh,<\/span> V\u00e2n S\u01a1n<\/b> and <\/span>B\u1ea3o Li\u00eam<\/b>, are like chicken soup for the soul. These comedy performances offer rare moments of joy in their mother tongue language and somehow appeal to everyone\u2019s nostalgia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many Vietnamese overseas even use these comedy clips as Vietnamese learning material for their children and grandchildren, so they can learn more about Vietnamese culture and history. For this reason, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i has been a household name for around 2 generations of Vietnamese living overseas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"comedian
\nImage credit: <\/i>Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Nguy\u1ec5n Cao K\u1ef3 Duy\u00ean<\/span><\/a>, a long-time host on the Paris by Night shows and a prominent figure in the Vietnamese communities in the US, shared her condolences on her Facebook page, \u201cYou always brought laughter to everyone. You were adorable, kind, and decent. You were very talented. You could play musical instruments, sing beautifully, crack jokes, perform, and make music. You were good at everything and always gave 100% of your efforts in everything you set your mind to. Nonetheless, what I remembered the most about you is your readiness to assist the people around you, be it on or off the stage. May you rest in peace. Farewell…Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the fans who had the chance to encounter Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i in real life, the impression he left in their hearts couldn\u2019t have been more memorable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"comedian
\nComedians Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i (center), Ho\u00e0i Linh, and Vi\u1ec7t H\u01b0\u01a1ng posing for photos with the ground service staff at Tan Son Nhat Airport<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>Tr\u1ea7n Nh\u1eadt Nam<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re one of my most favorite celebrities during the time I worked as a passenger check-in officer. Unlike many other celebrities, you were down-to-earth and respectful,\u201d Tr\u1ea7n Nh\u1eadt Nam<\/a>, a cabin crew member, shared on his Facebook page.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen people asked to take a photo with you, you even asked us to take some more. You were so approachable and adorable, and that\u2019s how an artist will live forever in audiences\u2019 hearts, right?\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Saigon, images of Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i have been flashed on street billboards with messages that pay homage to the comedian\u2019s contributions, such as \u201cThank you Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i, for all the laughter you have brought to our lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"comedian
\nImage adapted from: H\u01b0ng Dollar<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Vietnamese comedian Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i passed away<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Hardworking, charismatic, and multi-talented, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i was one of the most influential Vietnamese comedians in our lifetimes. While we mourn the passing of this artist who spent many years of his life bringing Vietnamese people around the world joy and redefining Vietnam\u2019s comic landscape, we should continue to celebrate his larger-than-life career.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s remember Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i as a boisterous uncle-next-door who always greeted us with a shining grin on his face and iconic silly expressions, and pay homage to his legacy by having a blast watching his comedy sketches.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n