64-year-old artist just awarded Meritorious Artist title: Single, rents house, has a famous younger brother
After many years of dedication to art, this 64-year-old male star has been named in the list of artists to be awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 2023.
In the list of artists awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 2023, there is artist Bach Long. Bach Long's real name is Nguyen Thanh Tung. He was born in 1959 in a family with a rich artistic tradition.
Bach Long and Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc are two brothers. Their father is People's Artist Thanh Ton and their mother is artist Huynh Mai. The sisters in the family are also famous faces of the reformed theater at one time.
Not afraid of being compared to his famous younger brother
Born into an artistic family, Bach Long started performing at the age of 10. In the early years of his career, he still used his real name to perform. However, during one performance, the audience commented that his name was not good.
This made Bach Long think so he decided to find a stage name. Because he admired Bruce Lee, he took the name Long, the middle name Bach, like his sisters in the family. From then on, the stage name Bach Long was born and has followed him to the present.
Bach Long and his younger brother Thanh Loc when they were young.
When he first started his career, Bach Long was a reformed opera artist to continue his family's legacy. In 1990, he devoted himself to establishing the Bach Long Young Opera Troupe with the goal of training the next generation.
In the field of reformed opera, Bach Long left an impression on the audience through his roles.Saint Giong, Tran Quoc Toan...In 1993, Bach Long made a splash in the audience's hearts with his role.The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven.
From his cai luong troupe, he has trained a series of prominent names of cai luong today such as Que Tran, Trinh Trinh, Tu Suong...
However, Bach Long was not as lucky as other artists when the Dong Au Bach Long troupe only operated for 6 years. When Cai Luong declined, he fell into poverty because all his capital was invested in the stage.
After this failure, Bach Long decided to find a new direction when he switched to drama in 2000. He joined the Idecaf stage with his younger brother - Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc and worked on comedies and children's plays.
At this time, the artist continued to impress with the role of dog Lulu, the Scorpion King inOnce upon a time.Possessing a petite appearance and a cheerful face, he is loved by young audiences for his roles.
In addition, Bach Long also continued his pedagogical career by teaching at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theater and Cinema.
Artist Bach Long.
Bach Long said that because he was sick when he was young, his parents had to give him away to be raised by someone else. Therefore, he and his brothers in the family did not have much contact with each other. However, the brotherhood between Bach Long and Thanh Loc was still very close.
Although they are brothers, Bach Long's artistic path has been quite bumpy. Bach Long once revealed that there was a time when he was unemployed for 4 years. At this time, he had to rely on the help of his students and colleagues.
Knowing his brother's hardship, Thanh Loc wanted to support him many times and bring Bach Long back to live with him, but he always refused. Bach Long always kept in mind that he never wanted to be a burden to anyone, including his relatives.
Although not as famous as his younger brother, artist Bach Long also achieved certain successes.
Although not as famous as his younger brother, the male artist is not afraid of being compared. He once confided that since childhood, he never liked to compete or fight with others. That is why he never had to compete with his younger brother.
Because of this gentle personality, Bach Long rarely tries to become famous. For Bach Long, showbiz has always been "fake news". These things are not suitable for someone with a gentle and honest personality like him.
64 years old and still single, living in a rented house
Not only his career, Bach Long also has a private life that is not very smooth. He revealed that he has had 4 love affairs but at the age of 64, he still lives alone. The male artist rented a small room of about 30 square meters and has lived alone for nearly 20 years. Bach Long once said that he chose to live a peaceful life without a home, wife or children.
Although he was alone, he consoled himself and encouraged himself to live well for the rest of his days. The male artist said he just hoped God would give him a good night's sleep and then leave peacefully because he was very afraid of being tortured by illness like many of his colleagues.
In 2021, Bach Long hinted about his relationship status in an interview. He said he had a secret crush but did not reveal the details because "it hasn't gone anywhere yet".
Even though it was difficult, Bach Long did not want to rely on Thanh Loc for fear of bothering his younger brother.
Talking about the reason why, despite being famous in the Cai Luong theater industry, training many young talents but still poor, Bach Long said that in the past, all the money he earned was invested in the Bach Long Children's Group. At that time, his biggest asset was a motorbike. The decline of the theater industry made his life even more difficult. According to artist Bach Long, his current income is only enough to cover 2 meals a day.
"I think I sing and get paid like many other artists, so why am I still poor? But no matter what, I'm still optimistic about life."he said.
In early 2023, artist Bach Long also performed a private live show for him and his students calledEat the ancestors' rice, still smile in hardshipThis is also a live show celebrating Bach Long's 55th year of singing career.
Although struggling to make a living, artist Bach Long still makes many audiences love him for his sincere, gentle personality and respect for his profession. He loves his job and still wants to devote himself to it even though his hair has gradually faded over the years.
