Godfrey Gao Passes Away While Competing on Reality TV Competition Show
Godfrey Gao passed away at 35 while filming on the reality TV competition show 'Chase Me.' The show features contestants competing to win a race. Phoenix TV explains that contestants test their agility through a series of obstacle courses. While some can be as extreme as ziplining or climbing a building, the show promotes safety and selecting contestants that are in good health.
While Gao was seemingly in good shape, he collapsed during a team race. He was rushed to the hospital where he passed away 2 hours later.
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Chinese media made reports of Godfrey Gao's passing at 18:00 GMT Tuesday. 'Chase Me' also gave a report on how Gao passed. The production team told BBC that they're in "incomparable pain" over Gao's passing.
"Guest participant Godfrey suddenly collapsed to the ground while running. The program's on-site paramedics began lifesaving measures immediately and urgently transported him to the hospital," the 'Chase Me' team explained in their official statement.
"After two hours of all-out efforts to save him, the hospital [said] he had suffered a sudden cardiac death."
While Godfrey Gao's career was cut so tragically short, it was certainly a successful one. According to IMDb, Gao was on September 22, 1984, in Taiwan. He was an actor known for roles like Magnus Bane in 'The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones' (2013), Tom in 'The Jade Pendant' (2017) and Yang Jiannan in 'Shanghai Fortress' (2019). He additionally had big roles as a series regular in several TV series. He was also set to play Chikai in 'The Wedding Bible.'
According to BBC, his career really launched when he starred in a popular Chinese TV drama Remembering Lichuan.
Fans mourned the late actor's death on Twitter.
"I can't believe you're gone. The most down to earth and genuine man. I've followed you for years and loved your work. You've always held a special place in my heart...Rest in Paradise #GodfreyGao," one fan tweeted while retweeting a picture of Gao and his dog.
"I am beyond devastated to hear about the death of Godfrey Gao. This is a loss to us as a community as Asian artists and it’s fair to say it will never be the same without him," Asian-Australian actor Remy Hii tweeted.
Other fans were angry about how the actor passed and spoke out against 'Chase Me'
"I'm more angry than anything about Godfrey Gao's death because it was 100% preventable. That show better take responsibility for this and take proper measures to ensure the safety of future guests, or just cancel the show in its entirety. What happened on #ChaseMe is NOT okay," one fan angrily tweeted.
"They need to investigate #ChaseMe. Godfrey Gao was in good shape and everyone knows this. He was 35. He filmed for 17 hours straight with the possibility of no break. There was no proper medical attention given to him. Investigate!" another fan urged.
