Leslie Cheung's Suicide

If your Asian or cineaste friends are upset about the tragic suicide of Leslie Cheung, this is why: He was one of the most popular performers of Asia, both as an actor and singer, whose fans were devoted. Also, the scale of his suicide in Central Hong Kong from the Mandarin Hotel on Connaught Road was larger than life as well. Which, to New York readers, amounts to someone of Tom Cruise's fame jumping off the St. Regis onto Fifth Avenue. Though he was a Canto-pop star, his acting choices included edgy choices that few American singers trying to make the acting transition attempt.

Cheung apparently went to the Mandarin's cafe and asked for a pad, on which he wrote this note:
"Depression! Thank you to the fans. Thank you to Prof. Mike [his psychiatrist]. It has been a year of suffering. Thank you Mr. Tong [his companion], Thank you Fei Che [Lydia Sum Tin Ha]. In my life I have done nothing wrong. Why it has to be like this?" [Via Zap2It]

Updated: The Times interviews director Terrence Chang about Cheung's death

The genre of suicides notes is fascinating while terribly sad. Gothamist is reminded of actor George Sanders' suicide note:
"Dear World: I am leaving because I am bored. I am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool."

Gothamist coverage of:
Leslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung's Funeral

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on April 3, 2003 11:58 AM

Comments [rss]

jearl

Sometimes someone is so stress that makes him/her can not think positively. Maybe he/she is bombarded by troubles bye troubles, when he/she hasn't finished to overcome one problem then comes another, maybe this is what had happened to Leslie, I'am so sorry for that.

fans

Leslie..why do you have to leave like that..Hong Kong will never forget you..

CheukWaLai

I think He should be got a reason to do that, if he decide to do that no body can say no, but he suddently leave me I feel so heard and so upset and my mum is crying for the whole day, When I meet him in ATV station before lunch time, i come in with my school teacher and the student to visit the station and he said to me what would you like to do when you were younger and I said I would like to be an actor and drama on tv, and he said is a good thinking like that but he said to me is cool keeping and good luck in your career and I said thank you Lesile Cheung

yan

I did go to the wake. I took all these photos, so if you didn't go. You can have a look at the photos.. Then again.. Lena.. I had someone of that name come to the site and write me a message? Is that you? :)

Yan

http://www.geocities.com/yannipoo/LeslieCheung2.html

Lena

I'm thinking of going to his wake on Monday if someone goes with me. The family actually set aside 2 hours for fans to go. My fear is that it'll be so "mobbed" that it'll increase the risk of getting SARS...