Cover Real-life brothers Christopher Lee and Frederick Lee entered showbiz one after the other and have each carved a name for themselves in the acting industry. (Photo: Chuan Chou）
Real-life brothers Christopher Lee and Frederick Lee entered showbiz one after the other and have each carved a name for themselves in the acting industry. (Photo: Chuan Chou）
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Bound by blood and shared experiences, actors Christopher and Frederick Lee recount their acting struggles and life’s ups and downs in an interview with Tatler Taiwan
Malaysian-born brothers and actors Christopher and Frederick Lee were born five years apart. They resemble each other; when they’re apart, people often mistake them for each other, but when they stand together, the differences can be clearly seen. They are not particularly affectionate but they are fiercely loyal to one another.
The pair grew up in a kampung (village) in Malacca, Malaysia. Christopher, the elder brother, started acting in the mid-90s and his brother followed suit in 2006. Despite being in showbiz at the same time for decades, they are seldom seen together in public and rarely star in the same productions (they last acted together in 2021 for a series called Danger Zone)—and have been approached to appear in reality TV show Ojisan on the Road. In it, the brothers drive across Taiwan on motorbikes.
In an interview with Tatler Taiwan to promote the project, the two brothers opened up about their tough childhood, family struggles and sibling relationship. Born into a poor family, the brothers and their two siblings had to learn to be independent from a young age. Even though their parents both worked, money was tight, and there was not always enough money to put food on the table or pay school fees. To help with the family’s finances, Christopher started doing a variety of odd jobs from the age of 10 and was working as a factory mechanic before joining Star Search, a talent competition, in 1995.
Referring to Christopher, the eldest sibling, the second father figure in his life, Frederick says, “If he hadn’t been responsible for the family’s finances, I think my mother might have lost her mind, gone crazy and may have even suffered from depression, and we wouldn’t have been able to continue studying.”
While the process was tough and “very painful”, Christopher says he wouldn’t have had it any other way and even calls his upbringing his “greatest gift.”
Above Christopher and Frederick Lee with their family members. (Photo: courtesy of Christopher and Frederick Lee)
Christopher and Frederick Lee with their family members. (Photo: courtesy of Christopher and Frederick Lee)
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Christopher, a two-time Golden Bell Award-winning actor—he won best leading actor in 2013 and best supporting actor in 2021—never dreamt of becoming a star. He entered the entertainment industry by chance but very quickly became famous. However, it wasn’t until he had been in the industry for a decade that he began to enjoy the work; in fact, he describes the first six years as a “living hell”. Christopher couldn't understand half his drama scripts and had to ask the crew if they needed to do a retake after each scene was done.
He felt he was on tenterhooks every day and had no sense of job security. On top of that, he developed a fear of doing media interviews: the sheer thought of them resulted in many sleepless nights. ”These days, artists are seen as people of substance, who have a good image; they are also expected to be eloquent and be able to sing as well as act.” Christopher had none of those qualities—or at least that’s what he thought.
As a result, the Singapore-based actor developed an inferiority complex and often felt inadequate as compared to other well-spoken actors. He would have sunk into depression if not for having developed resilience from a tough childhood during which one of the lessons he was taught was that “there is no place for pride”.
“You will meet people who will praise you, scold you, laugh at or even tease you,” he says. “Some even [may insult you and] throw money at you … these are all experiences I have been through.”
As Christopher started to understand and internalise his emotions, acting started to get easier, and he finally came to love it. “I really felt a sense of freedom, as if I’d been released [from my inner fears] and I fell in love with this job. It also led to bigger dreams and aspirations and my goal is to do justice to all my roles.”
Above While the brothers both starred in 2021's Danger Zone, Christopher said they had "no scenes" together which is why he considers 'Ojisan on the Road' as their first meaningful project together. (Photo: Chuan Chou)
While the brothers both starred in 2021's Danger Zone, Christopher said they had "no scenes" together which is why he considers 'Ojisan on the Road' as their first meaningful project together. (Photo: Chuan Chou)
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Because of his own struggles, Christopher initially disapproved of Frederick’s decision to follow in his showbiz footsteps; he didn’t want his brother to suffer in the way he did. But the younger Lee expressed a deep passion for the craft, and Christopher eventually relented. “I can share my experiences [with Frederick] but it is only fair that he discovers his own path and encounters his own setbacks,’ the elder brother says. “Only then could he grow to become the person he is today and accomplish what he has achieved.”
Frederick agrees, adding, “That was the first time I had told my brother to let me try [and do something on my own terms] because he had been making all the decisions for me since I was a child. I told him, ‘You have to let me make my own decisions this time.’”
When Christopher left their hometown to pursue a career in showbiz, Frederick was 13 years old. He started doing odd jobs: he had a talent for painting, and his first job was painting advertising signs, for which he was paid NT$60 (S$4.15) a day. Frederick wanted to extend that experience and study advertising design in university, but Christopher persuaded him to do interior design instead as there was greater potential for employment.
While he was at university, Frederick would watch his brother’s award-winning television series The Price of Peace. It was the first time he had seen his brother’s shows, and it planted a seed in his heart and imagination.“This was one of my nearest and dearest on screen; however, I felt he had become a completely different person—someone I didn’t recognise,” said Frederick. But while he was drawn to the magic of acting, he was hesitant to try, saying, “I was shy and afraid of naysayers.”
He started on the outskirts of the industry, taking on modelling jobs and commercial acting gigs. Five years after graduation, a Singaporean producer approached him and spent a month convincing him to join a talent competition—without much success. But one night, a little voice in his head encouraged him to “give it a shot”. He rationalised he could always return to his old life if things didn’t work out.
Above Frederick often gets asked how he feels about having a successful older brother, and he says his reply to them would always be, "I'm really happy for my brother, he has been taking care of the family and fillial to our parents, and I believe this is what he deserves." (Photo: Chuan Chou)
Frederick often gets asked how he feels about having a successful older brother, and he says his reply to them would always be, "I'm really happy for my brother, he has been taking care of the family and fillial to our parents, and I believe this is what he deserves." (Photo: Chuan Chou)
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That’s not to say Frederick’s start as an actor was any easier than Christopher’s. He would get frustrated at getting pigeonholed by his appearance; supposedly by “industry standards” he did not have what it takes to be a lead actor. “But I never wanted to be the male lead,” he says, “I just wanted a chance to pursue my passion for acting.”
Like his brother, he suffered anxiety in the job, although his came at every wrap party, as it meant he would be out of work until he was cast in another role. At his lowest point, he couldn’t even afford to pay for a meal. But when asked if he regrets entering showbiz, Frederick demurs, saying the thought has never crossed his mind, “I was afraid I would give up if I had thought about it.”
Buoyed by the encouragement of the many what he calls “benefactors” in his life, like “a hardy cockroach that never dies”, he persisted in honing his craft and finding work. He calls his love for acting an “inexplicable” thing and an “addiction” he cannot shrug off. “As long as there’s an opportunity to act, you’ll feel ‘Wow, this is a fantastic feeling.’”
While the brothers may not be physically affectionate, their mutual respect is clear. Frederick took the interview as an opportunity to pay tribute to his big brother. “Thank you for all the sacrifices you made for our family, and for giving your siblings a carefree life and the freedom to pursue what we love.”
Christopher, ever the optimist, shrugged off his tears with a cheeky grin. “I can’t help it,” he says, “I’m a softie and whenever I talk about my family it makes me want to cry.”
This story was originally written in Chinese by Ariel Hsu and published on August 21 2024. Ariel Hsu於 2024 年8月21日發表本文，請按此瀏覽中文版本。
Credits
Photography: Chuan Chou
Styling: Yvonne Tsai
Make-Up: Chien Wei Wen@Pretty Cool Studio
Hair: Eason Wu (Stylist_Fuism_Hair)
