3rd February 2024 – (Hong Kong) Gregory Charles Rivers, a 58-year-old TVB actor, was discovered dead in his home in Tai Au Mun Village, where he had burned charcoal as a means of suicide. The incident occurred at around 10.15pm on the 2nd of February. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his untimely death. It has been revealed that Rivers, who had been living in Hong Kong for many years, had lost his wife a few months prior to the incident due to illness.
Afterwards, the body was transported to the mortuary by undertakers. During this time, two women arrived, one of whom, Ms. Leung, clasped her hands together and identified herself as Rivers’ manager.
According to the police, at 10.15pm last night (2nd), the lifeless body of a 58-year-old foreign male was discovered unconscious in a room of a village house in Tai Au Mun Village. The incident was suspected to be a case of charcoal-burning suicide. Upon receiving the report, police officers arrived at the scene and confirmed the victim’s death at the specified location. A burnt charcoal disc was found nearby, but no suicide note was discovered on-site. The case has been classified as a “body discovery” and further investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of death pending the results of the autopsy.
Gregory Charles Rivers was a well-known Australian-Hong Kong actor, who had made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Born on the 30th of April, 1965, in Gympie, Queensland, Australia, Rivers had a diverse background. He initially pursued a medical degree at the University of New South Wales and developed an interest in Cantonese through his friendships with Hong Kong students. However, he later decided to discontinue his medical studies and relocate to Hong Kong.
Upon his arrival in Hong Kong, Rivers had a chance encounter with members of Alan Tam’s band, whom he had previously worked with as a driver during their visit to Sydney. Impressed by his singing abilities, he was invited to perform alongside Tam, marking his debut in the entertainment industry. Rivers auditioned for a role at Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) and was selected to portray a Caucasian character. Adopting the Chinese name Ho Kwok-wing, he became TVB’s go-to actor for portraying stereotypical ‘gweilo’ (Caucasian) characters for over two decades.
Throughout his career, Rivers showcased his talent in various mediums. In 2005, he impressed audiences with his stage performance in an opera production, where he played the role of Teresa Teng’s boyfriend. His popularity extended beyond TV dramas, as he actively engaged with his fans through YouTube, sharing numerous video clips featuring himself and his colleagues in the Hong Kong media industry.
Despite his success, Rivers faced personal challenges. In 2017, he was diagnosed with skin cancer and underwent surgery to remove a swelling on the right side of his ear. Fortunately, he remained cancer-free following the procedure. In 2018, he was diagnosed with arrhythmia, a serious heart condition that required two rounds of surgery and left him with a debt of HK$800,000.
If you have suicidal tendencies or depression, please call the 24-hour multi-lingual hotline at The Samaritans Hong Kong : 28960000.
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