The contrasting lives of three male silver screen actors in the 90s

In their middle age, Ly Hung and Thai San remain single, while Le Tuan Anh enjoys a happy marriage with his wife, who is also in the same profession.

In the 1990s, Ly Hung, Le Tuan Anh, and Thai San were all top-tier actors on screen. While Ly Hung was handsome and strong, often portraying heroic characters who sacrificed themselves for justice, Le Tuan Anh possessed a romantic, carefree appearance, specializing in villainous and womanizing roles, yet still captivating many female viewers. Meanwhile, Thai San impressed with his scholarly and refined look.

After 30 years, Ly Hung and Le Tuan Anh have both stopped acting and have gone their separate ways, while Thai San has settled in France and returned to the arts.

Ly Hung: In his youth, he starred alongside only beautiful women; now, at nearly 60, he's a wealthy, single man.

In the 1990s, Ly Hung dominated the Vietnamese film industry with many impressive roles in television and movies. He consistently starred alongside famous beauties of the time such as Diem Huong, Viet Trinh, Mong Van… Wherever he appeared, the actor was warmly welcomed by the audience.

Ly Hung began to shine at the age of 20 when he participated in the film Pham Cong - Cuc Hoa, acting alongside Diem Huong. Sharing with a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper about the role that brought him to the peak of his career, Ly Hung said: "When I acted in Pham Cong Cuc Hoa, I was only 17 or 18 years old. Being known by audiences nationwide made me very happy. My popularity at that time was enormous. When promoting the film in the Mekong Delta, Central Vietnam, or the North, audiences who wanted to see my face had to go to a stadium to find enough space."

The handsome, masculine appearance of Ly Hung in his youth (Photo: Doan Minh Tuan).

Once, we went to the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Labor Cultural Palace, sang a few songs, told stories about filming, and the audience packed the place. Now, three decades later, wherever I go and meet audience members, they greet me warmly, telling me that they still remember me, that I am a part of their childhood. One elderly audience member said that back in his village, if someone was handsome, the villagers would praise them, saying, "He's as handsome as Ly Hung" (laughs)," he said.

Famous throughout Vietnam, Ly Hung's fee at that time was 30 million dong, equivalent to 60 gold bars, compared to about 2 billion dong per episode today, while films shown in theaters back then usually had 2 or 3 episodes. Ly Hung was considered a "box office guarantee" as any film released in theaters attracted huge crowds, with up to a dozen screenings a day.

Ly Hung and Diem Huong reunited during Diem Huong's return to Vietnam. They were once a beautiful couple in the "instant noodle" film genre of the 1990s (Photo: Facebook of the individuals).

Despite being a hugely popular and commanding figure in the film industry during the 1990s, Ly Hung has always lived a simple life. He says his parents taught him about the artist's sense of self. Even when standing on the stage of glory, as a movie star, he remains very sociable.

"People are surprised and ask why Ly Hung doesn't have bodyguards with him. I live a very simple life. Even though I'm famous, I'm not arrogant, not flashy, and I don't need bodyguards everywhere I go. Because of this way of life, even though I've passed my peak, I can easily accept it and have no regrets about the past," the actor said.

As commercial films declined, Ly Hung gradually disappeared from film projects. But true to his simple nature, he is content with his life. In his 50s, Ly Hung remains single, but he is not in a hurry and has decided to wait for the right person.

Ly Hung feels no pressure being single at nearly 60 years old (Photo: Tran Dat).

Ly Hung's current life is very happy and relaxed. Every day, he usually spends 1-2 hours jogging or going to the gym, 3-4 days a week, hoping to maintain his fitness to continue his artistic career. In addition, the actor also enjoys his own hobbies such as listening to music, going to the gym, practicing martial arts, reading books and newspapers, and watching football. Thanks to this, he possesses a youthful appearance that belies his true age.

Speaking to a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper, Ly Hung said that he is still very passionate about art and frequently receives offers to act in films. However, he hasn't found a suitable script lately, so he hasn't accepted any roles.

"I don't want to return to the screen with a boring, unmemorable role that disappoints the audience. I will definitely continue acting, but only in roles that I truly enjoy," said the actor from the Tay Son Heroes series.

Le Tuan Anh: A happy marriage with his famous wife.

Le Tuan Anh was one of the three most expensive actors of the 1990s. His breakout role was Thai Salem in the film "Wanted," alongside Ly Hung, Viet Trinh, and others. His outstanding performance in this film cemented his status as a villain in most of his subsequent films.

Le Tuan Anh's handsome looks, charming smile, and flowing hair captivated fans, especially women, for a considerable period. Any film he starred in was a huge success. He was also one of the "box office kings" of that time.

A dashing and romantic image of Le Tuan Anh during his prime (Photo: Doan Minh Tuan).

Some of the films associated with Le Tuan Anh's name include "White Begonia," "The Prince of Bac Lieu ," and "Half a Life of Debauchery"... Many contemporaries say that back then, Le Tuan Anh received 30 million VND per film - a dream salary.

However, at the peak of his career, Le Tuan Anh unexpectedly retired from acting before turning 30. Quang in "Wind Through the Dark Region" was his last role.

Throughout the 25 years since retiring from acting, the artist has received numerous offers, from actors to directors, but he has always refused them. He said, "I was already famous, so I don't need to be famous again."

Regarding his personal life, Le Tuan Anh is married to People's Artist Hong Van. They met while students at the College of Performing Arts. However, after seeing Le Tuan Anh driving with another woman, Hong Van misunderstood the situation and decided to break up with him.

During their 10-year separation, they both had their own families. However, both of their marriages ended in divorce. In 2003, Le Tuan Anh and Hong Van reunited, becoming one of the most admired couples in Vietnamese showbiz to this day.

Former heartthrob Le Tuan Anh is happily pictured with his wife, People's Artist Hong Van (Photo: Facebook of the celebrity).

After getting married, Le Tuan Anh decided to step back and focus on business so his wife could pursue her artistic career with peace of mind. He is one of the few actors of the 1990s who dared to leave the spotlight to choose a peaceful, quiet life.

At over 50 years old, Le Tuan Anh still maintains his handsome appearance, although he no longer has the romantic image of the past. Choosing a peaceful and carefree life, audiences still see Le Tuan Anh wholeheartedly dedicated to building the theater stage for many years, while also being busy with his restaurant business. Currently, he enjoys a happy life with his wife Hong Van and their children. He also possesses considerable wealth thanks to his business ventures.

Thai San: Moved to France to settle down, single at 49.

Thai San started out as a singer, performing in nightclubs in Da Lat when he was very young. He became involved in the seventh art when his cousin, singer and actress Thanh Lan, took him to a film set in 1989. There, he met director Le Hoang Hoa, who then invited him to participate in the film "Behind a Destiny."

Thai San's youthful, boyish appearance captivated audiences (Photo: Doan Minh Tuan).

With his handsome face and big, round eyes, Thai San often plays roles of students, wealthy young men, and chivalrous, kind-hearted characters. Some of the notable films featuring Thai San include: Tam Cam, Life Has Our Names, Twin Sisters, The Shore of Aspiration, and Hair Blown by the Wind…

Thai San said that the film for which he received the highest salary at the time was "Why Did You Marry So Quickly?", with about 20 million VND. Besides that, he also received other fees of around ten million VND. He said that even though he received a high salary, it was still lower than Ly Hung's. Thai San expressed his admiration for Ly Hung as well as his seniors in the industry.

Throughout his acting career, Thai San has often acted alongside and photographed with many famous actresses such as Viet Trinh, Y Phung, Diem Huong, Kim Khanh, Dieu Ai… When working with them, Thai San admits that he felt attracted, but it was to their beauty.

Having participated in the 1991 film "Tam Cam" alongside Diem Huong, Thai San praised Diem Huong's beauty, saying she looked like a princess, and was also impressed by her serious and professional work style. He once jokingly said that he regretted not proposing to Diem Huong back then.

Thai San showered Diem Huong with praise (Photo: Doan Minh Tuan).

Later, when acting in several films with Viet Trinh, he was greatly energized by the actress's powerful passion. In 1996, Thai San had a kissing scene with Viet Trinh in the film "Don't Say Goodbye." He said that from their first film together in 1994 until 1996, there hadn't been a kissing scene. Therefore, he kissed intensely, and it was also the actor's first kiss.

However, at the peak of his career, Thai San left everything behind to go to France to care for his sick mother. He recounted that his mother lived alone in a rented room in France, penniless. When he arrived, she was so happy to be reunited with her son that they hugged and cried for three hours. But his life was quite difficult. With a scholarship from the French government, Thai San studied tourism and dance simultaneously and graduated with a Master's degree in Tourism. However, his mother passed away while he was still a poor student.

To make ends meet, he auditioned for roles, acted in films and commercials, did translation work, taught Vietnamese, and voiced some minor characters in Walt Disney films… When asked about his decision to give up his career years ago, he admitted to having regrets but no remorse. Because, according to Thai San, fulfilling his filial duty to his parents is the most important thing.

Currently, he works as a tour guide for French tourists in Vietnam and for Vietnamese tourists in Europe. However, the former heartthrob says his passion remains art, while tourism is just a means of livelihood. For the past 20 years, Thai San has continued acting, just not in Vietnam.

Last June, Thai San returned to Vietnam and announced his plans for a comeback to the arts. Specifically, he introduced to Vietnamese audiences the song "I Wanna Be in You," composed by young musician Phi Vu, in collaboration with singer Phuong Thanh.

Current photo of Thai San (Photo: Organizing Committee).

Sharing the reason for inviting Phuong Thanh to participate in his comeback song after 20 years, Thai Son said he needed a female singer with a strong, energetic rock style. The two had 10 days to get acquainted, record, and shoot the music video before Thai Son returned to France.

Returning to the entertainment industry, Thai San understands the rapid development of today's younger generation. He hopes to appear with a new image, with musical and artistic products that suit the tastes of the audience.

Approaching 50, Thai San remains single. The actor from "Why Are You Getting Married So Quickly?" once shared that his reason for not getting married is the trauma of his mother being betrayed by his father and the daily beatings he received from his father. After his parents' divorce, family conflicts caused Thai San to fear marriage. He said that no one in showbiz is lonelier than him.

However, Thai San has always dreamed of getting married and having children. The actor hopes that his wife will be a Vietnamese girl.

Hoang Ha (According to Dan Tri)

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