Tan Tai

Tấn Tài (1938-2011) was a legendary performer of Southern Vietnamese folk opera known as "cải lương".

Born as Lê Tấn Tài in An Giang Province located in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam in 1938, he grew up in a working class family.  At the age of 21, he left home to pursue his dream of becoming a Southern Vietnamese folk opera actor.  In 1963, Tấn Tài won the Thanh Tâm Award, South Vietnam's equivalent to a Tony Award, for Best Male Performer for his portrayal of Điệp Nhứt Lang in the play, Cát Dung Phương Tử.  Prior to 1975, he earned the nickname, "Hoàng Đế Đĩa Nhựa" (King of Vynil), for his numerous audio recordings which total over 400 "cải lương" soundtracks.  Tấn Tài became one of the wealthiest performers of Southern Vietnamese folk opera prior to 1975.  Among his most popular plays include Bóng Hồng Sa Mạc starring Minh Phụng, Mỹ Châu, Diệu Hiền and Dũng Thanh Lâm, Chuyện Tình An Lộc Sơn starring Thanh Nga, Thanh Sang and Ngọc Giàu, Chiều Đông Gió Lạnh Về starring Minh Phụng, Mỹ Châu and Thanh Thanh Hoa, Khi Rừng Mới Sang Thu starring Minh Phụng, Mỹ Châu, Thanh Sang and Diệp Lang, Anh Hùng Xạ Điêu starring Thành Được, Kim Ngọc, Thanh Sang and Mỹ Châu, Cô Gái Đồ Long starring Ngọc Giàu, Phượng Liên and Thành Được, Hẹn Một Mùa Xuân starring Út Trà Ôn, Minh Phụng, Thanh Việt and Văn Chung, Manh Áo Quê Nghèo starring Lệ Thủy and Nạn Con Rơi starring Hùng Cường and Bạch Tuyết.

On January 27, 2011, Tấn Tài passed away at the age of 72.  His two sons, Tấn Beo and Tấn Bo, are established comedic actors of stage and film.