3-2-2024 (HONG KONG) Gregory Charles Rivers, a prominent 58-year-old TVB actor, was found dead in his residence located in Tai Au Mun Village. Authorities suspect that he took his own life by burning charcoal. The unfortunate incident occurred on the 2nd of February, around 10.15pm. Currently, the authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise. Sources reveal that Rivers, who had been residing in Hong Kong for several years, had recently lost his wife to an illness a few months prior to the incident.
After the discovery, undertakers transported Rivers’ body to the mortuary. During this time, two women arrived at the scene. One of them, identified as Ms. Leung, introduced herself as Rivers’ manager and expressed her grief by clasping her hands together.
According to the police, the lifeless body of a 58-year-old foreign male was found unconscious in a room of a village house in Tai Au Mun Village at 10.15pm on the 2nd of February. Authorities suspect that the incident was a result of charcoal-burning suicide. Upon receiving the report, police officers promptly arrived at the location and confirmed the victim’s death. A burnt charcoal disc was discovered nearby, although no suicide note was found at the scene. The case has been classified as a “body discovery” and further investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause of death once the autopsy results are available.
Gregory Charles Rivers, a well-known Australian-Hong Kong actor, had made a significant mark in the entertainment industry. Born on the 30th of April, 1965, in Gympie, Queensland, Australia, Rivers had a diverse background. Initially, he 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 eventually decided to abandon his medical studies and move to Hong Kong.
Upon arriving in Hong Kong, Rivers had a serendipitous 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, they invited him to perform alongside Tam, marking his debut in the entertainment industry. Rivers then auditioned for a role at Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) and was selected to play 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 illustrious career, Rivers showcased his talent across various mediums. In 2005, he captivated audiences with his stage performance in an opera production, where he portrayed 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 professional success, Rivers faced personal challenges. In 2017, he received a diagnosis of skin cancer and underwent surgery to remove a swelling on the right side of his ear. Fortunately, the procedure was successful, and he remained cancer-free. However, in 2018, he was diagnosed with arrhythmia, a serious heart condition that necessitated two surgeries and left him burdened with a debt of HK$800,000.
