Godfrey Gao tributes: Jamie Campbell Bower, Michelle Yeoh, Cassandra Clare, JJ Lin and Dorothy Wang share heartfelt memories of Taiwanese-Canadian star

Tributes have been pouring in for Godfrey Gao, the Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model who passed away on Wednesday morning (November 27) after suffering from a heart attack on set of the physically rigorous Chinese variety show, Chase Me.

British actor Jamie Campbell Bower, who starred alongside Gao in the action film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones posted a touching picture of the pair on Twitter, tweeting: “Heartbroken. There are no words.”

Author of the young adult series that inspired the live action film, Cassandra Clare, was one of the first of Gao's colleagues to pay tribute to the young actor, who was just 35 years old, tweeting:

“I am so, so sorry to hear this. Godfrey was one of the nicest people I have ever met, taking time on the movie set to be kind and thoughtful, always bringing presents for everyone. How awful for him and his loved ones.”

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Star of the E! show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills Dorothy Wang tweeted: “So shocked and saddened to hear about the tragic passing of @GodfreyGao. Always the sweetest … Rest In Peace ️”

Other Asian-American celebrity actors also paid their respects to Gao, whose Hollywood filmography included The Jade Pendant, a US-produced Western about Chinese immigrants. Malaysian-Singaporean actor Lawrence Wong also posted on Instagram and shared his memories with Gao.

Hong Kong American veteran actor Tzi Ma, who starred in Rush Hour, tweeted: “So unfair. A true gentleman! With so much still to give all of us. I am devastated. Rest in Peace my brotha. Condolences to your parents and family. You will be missed!”

Chinese-American actress and filmmaker Celia Au tweeted that Gao was, “A good man gone too soon.” Australia-raised Asian film actor Lee Shorten also tweeted: “Taken from us way too young,” with a campaign photo of the model-actor.

Gao was only 35 years old when he passed away. Verified local media outlets confirmed that Gao had fainted during the recording of Chase Me, the Chinese reality show which challenges celebrities to complete physically taxing obstacles.

The variety show came under scrutiny for the lack of safety for its participants after it was revealed that Gao had collapsed after an extended period of physical exertion for the show.

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On Instagram, Taiwanese celebrities Chen Bolin, Sonia Sui, Christine Fan and Marcus Chang published black Instagram posts in respect to their fellow Taiwanese friend. Singaporean singer JJ Lin also shared a black post.

The Weibo community also posted tributes in honour of Gao.

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Chinese actress Qin Lan, who co-starred with Gao in the forthcoming We Are All Alone, paid her respect on the Chinese social platform, as did actress Shu Qi, who starred with Gao in the sci-fi fantasy film Shanghai Fortress.

Another Chinese co-star, Jiao Junyan, updated her Weibo to remember Gao during filming of Remembering Lichuan.

Translated by the online community to English, it reads:

“In 2012, we were filming Remembering Lichuan and I got to know a humble and shy you, not liking to talk, often smiling. Occasionally saying harsh words with a Taiwanese accent and with a soft and gentle tone. When filming on public buses, we had to find you a spacious area, otherwise we weren't able to fit your long legs. I laughed during a scene where I had to turn and secretly kiss you, because I really couldn't reach your face. One morning when we were filming in Kunming, you said you haven't eaten breakfast, so I passed you a steamed triangle bun stuffed with sugar. You took a bite and the sugar flowed out, but only when it spilled entirely on your shirt did you slowly and gently ask your assistant, ‘tissue’.

“Because you brought Wang Lichuan to life, I actually believed that I was Xie Xiaoqiu. [I feel] very lucky to complete this excellent project with you, and very lucky to know such a warm and cute person like you. Just like how Xiaoqiu thought Lichuan had actually never left, he was just living well in another city. Classmate Yixiang, in another world, please continue being your slow-tempered self.”

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