A new beginning for our careers

What do they miss most about the Singapore of their childhood? What have been their proudest contributions? And what do the nation's future and their next era look like? The Straits Times catches up with nine home-grown arts and entertainment personalities who turn 60 in SG60

- Benson Ang

Singaporean actors Rayson Tan and Chen Liping are the rare celebrity couple who were born in 1965, on Jan 12 and Aug 22 respectively, the same year as an independent Singapore.

Chen began acting in 1985 after completing a drama training course with the then Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (now Mediacorp), and is most famous for her role as a bubbly teacher in the drama series Good Morning, Sir! (1989).

She also has three Best Actress Star Awards, for her roles in Holland V (2003), Reunion Dinner (2009) and The Dream Makers (2013).

Tan kick-started his show-business career in 1990, after placing third in the Star Search acting competition. In 2014, he won Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Asian Television Awards for the drama Entangled (2013), in which his character kidnaps and rapes his friend's wife.

Tan and Chen wed in 1998 and have a 23-year-old son, Zavier, who is pursuing his undergraduate studies overseas. Both stars used to be contracted artistes with Mediacorp, but Tan left in October 2024 and Chen followed suit in January 2025. They are now freelancers.

Can you share more about your childhood photo?

Chen: This (right) shows me at age five in 1970. My mother and cousins liked dressing me up and taking photos, especially on special occasions. I had permed hair, which was quite rare for a little girl at that time.

I have fond memories of my childhood, such as of my mother spending time with me walking around the Emerald Hill area. We lived near Koek Road until I was around 13.

Tan: This photo (right) shows me at age four, when I entered kindergarten, which I attended till age six.

I am the youngest of three children and my parents are illiterate. They wanted me to start learning and sent me to a PAP kindergarten near Jalan Tenteram, where we lived in a rental flat.