Nguyễn Chánh Tín

Nguyễn Chánh Tín (November 29, 1952 – January 4, 2020) was a famous Vietnamese film actor and director. He became widely known as a singer in the 1970s and began his career in film. He is so admired for his charisma and good looks that at one point in Vietnamese popular culture, to be "handsome like Chánh Tín" was used as an expression.  After the events of April 30, 1975, Chánh Tín worked as an actor in the Bông Hồng troupe. In his own words: "In 1975 I was rich, had a car, lived in a villa even bigger than the one that was confiscated, but then I lost everything overnight." In 1982, unable to withstand his impoverished circumstances any further, Chánh Tín tried to cross the border. The trip was unsuccessful and he was arrested. He was then arranged to be released in order to play the protagonist Robert Nguyễn Thành Luân in the film series Ván Bài Lật Ngửa / Cards on the Table (1982 - 1987), which then becomes his most memorable and iconic performance.  In the 1990s, Chánh Tín continued to be successful in the industry. He tried writing his first psychological horror with Ngôi Nhà Oan Khốc (1992), a production with a turnover of one billion dong. Next, Bến Sông Trăng (1998) marked his return to socio-psychological films. In the mid-2000s, he made his mark with Dòng Máu Anh Hùng (2006), directed by Charlie Nguyen, his nephew.

In 1995, Chánh Tín opened Cinema Pictures in California, USA. After 20 years, the company changed its name to Chánh Phương Film Studio and tried to promote Dòng Máu Anh Hùng worldwide. Although the film gained critical acclaim, pirating and leaking caused the company heavy financial losses. Bankrupt, Chánh Tín sold his villa in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City and moved into an apartment building. He sang at tea rooms, sold liquor and acted to make ends meet.  Chánh Tín passed away after a stroke on 4 January 2020, several months after his 67th birthday. He was awarded the title of National Distinguished Artist by the government of Vietnam.