Taiwanese-Canadian model and actor Godfrey Gao has passed away at the age of 35.
Gao’s agency, JetStar Entertainment, confirmed his demise on Weibo, according to The Straits Times on Wednesday (27 Nov).
Taiwan News reported that he suffered an apparent heart attack while he was filming Chinese variety show ‘Chase Me’. Gao had suddenly shouted “I can’t do it anymore” before fainting.
Medics who were at the scene performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for 15 minutes and he was moved to an ambulance at around 2.30 am on 27 Nov.
Unfortunately, doctors couldn’t resuscitate him.
A post on Weibo revealed that spectators near the site of filming saw other artistes of the show were very concerned, with one of them – in light blue – clasping his hands in prayer.
Another artiste had apparently kept shouting, “where’s the doctor?”.
The atmosphere at the site was reportedly tense and anxious.
Gao’s entertainment agency has confirmed his passing, saying that they were “extremely saddened” and that the truth was difficult to accept.
The statement in Chinese translates as,
Our dear Godfrey Gao Yi Xiang suddenly fainted on 27 Nov in the early morning during the filming process. After 3 hours of emergency treatment, he unfortunately left us, leaving us extremely saddened and we are unable to accept this.
We would like to thank the media and all of Godfrey’s fans for their concern. The manager and crew were also by his side and his family are already rushing to the place.
Please understand Godfrey’s family’s pain and sadness, and avoid disturbing them too much. We will help Godfrey’s family manage his funeral in a private manner.
Thank you.
Gao was born in Taipei, in 1984, to a Taiwanese father and a Malaysian mother.
The Straits Times reports that he first rose to fame as a fashion model. The 1.93m-tall Adonis figure was the first Asian male to star in Louis Vuitton ad campaign in 2011.
It is shocking and saddening to see a young life being taken away so suddenly.
MS News extends our deepest condolences to Godfrey Gao’s family and friends.
Featured image adapted from Godfrey Gao on Instagram and Instagram.
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