The text you provided is an obituary and tribute to Shi Banyu, a renowned Chinese voice actor who significantly contributed to the popularity of Hong Kong films in mainland China during their golden age. Shi Banyu, who went by the stage name Shi Renmao before changing it to Shi Banyu (inspired by the Chinese word for stone grouper fish), was best known for being the Mandarin voice of Stephen Chow, one of Hong Kong’s most beloved comedic actors. Their collaboration began with the 1990 film The Gambler and spanned nearly two decades, encompassing 27 films, including classics like The King of Comedy, Chinese Odyssey, and Kung Fu Hustle.
Shi Banyu’s distinctive voice, which some might have considered unsuited for leading roles in the voice acting industry, turned out to be a perfect match for the zany and exaggerated style of Stephen Chow’s characters. Over time, Shi Banyu’s voice became so synonymous with Stephen Chow that many mainland viewers believed that it was the actor’s actual voice.
In addition to his work with Stephen Chow, Shi Banyu lent his voice to a variety of other roles, contributing to the success of films like the Young and Dangerous series and TV series such as The Legend of the White Snake, where he voiced multiple characters. His ability to capture the essence of each character with his voice acting skills was widely praised.
Shi Banyu passed away on September 17, 2024, at the age of 66. His death was mourned by fans and colleagues alike, with Stephen Chow expressing his grief and respect for the voice actor who played a crucial role in bringing his films to life for a wide Chinese audience. Shi Banyu’s legacy lives on through the memorable characters he brought to life with his voice, and he is remembered as a behind-the-scenes hero who significantly contributed to the cultural exchange between Hong Kong and mainland China during the golden age of Hong Kong cinema.
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