Lim Kay Tong

Lim Kay Tong (born 10 July 1954) is a Singaporean film, television and stage actor. Notably, he starred opposite Sean Penn in Shanghai Surprise (1986), Pierce Brosnan in Noble House (1988) and Claire Danes in Brokedown Palace (1999), and was the lead actor in Growing Up (1996–2001) and Perth (2004). Lim has been called "Singapore's finest actor", "Singapore's best-known actor" and Singapore's answer to thespians Ian McKellen and Alec Guinness. Lim is a co-founder and board member of TheatreWorks. He played founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1965, a film that was shot to celebrate Singapore's Golden Jubilee. Early years Growing up, Lim's parents introduced him to plays, literature, and all things artistic from the many books around their house. Lim's father, a radiologist, wanted him to become a barrister, but was supportive of his acting dreams. Educated at Anglo-Chinese School and a boarding school in England, Lim was a national rugby player in his youth, playing the wing-forward position. While serving National Service, Lim earned a Singapore Armed Forces Colours award for his accomplishments in rugby.