Model And Actor Godfrey Gao Has Died At 35 While Participating In A Chinese Game Show
This is the kind of news that is entirely too sad. It’s being reported that Taiwanese-Canadian model, actor, and an A+ example of the type of person who could wear the hell out of a tuxedo, Godfrey Gao, died of a heart attack while filming a game show called Chase Me in China. Godfrey was only 35.
People magazine says that Godfrey, who was born Tsao Chih-Hsiang, died yesterday morning after fainting suddenly on set. First responders jumped into action and performed CPR on Godfrey for three hours, but it wasn’t successful. His management team put out the following statement following his sudden death:
“In the early hours of Nov. 27, our beloved Godfrey collapsed while filming on set. Unfortunately following three hours of medical rescue efforts, he left us. We are very shocked and saddened and even until now find it impossible to accept. Thank you media friends and every fan of Godfrey’s for their concern. His management and team were present and his family were urgently rushed to the location. Please respect Godfrey’s family in this time of sorrow and refrain from disturbing them. We will accompany Godfrey’s family to handle discreet funeral arrangements. Thank you, everyone.”
It’s entirely too ironic that the game show is called Chase Me, as Godfrey’s alleged last words were basically that he needed to stop chasing, because something wasn’t right. The Taiwan News reports that Godfrey was running in a team event when he just fell to the ground. An audience member reportedly heard Godfrey shout, “I can’t carry on” before he fell. When he dropped to the ground, a camera crew rushed over and kept filming, because they allegedly thought it was part of the show.
People reports that the official cause of death hasn’t been determined, although the Taiwan News says Godfrey died from a heart attack. There have been several social media videos posted showing Godfrey competing on Chase Me shortly before his collapse.
Godfrey was born in Taipei, and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia when he was a child. Godfrey was 6-foot-4, so after college he stopped pursuing his dream to be a professional basketball player and started modeling. In 2011, he became the first Asian man to model for Louis Vuitton, and was considered the first Asian male supermodel. In the 2000s he began acting on various Chinese television shows and films. For example, Godfrey dubbed the voice of Barbie’s boyfriend Ken in Toy Story 3 (appropriate). In 2013 he appeared as Magnus Bane in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. He was also the owner of a very cute dog.
That pic also illustrates just how good Godfrey was at – to quote himself – “being ridiculously handsome.” It takes a lot of face to take even an ounce of focus away from such a fluffy pom. Rest in peace, Godfrey.
Pic: Wenn.com/FayesVision