Born as Chen ShangHo in Shanghai Chen was widely regarded as the King of Comedy in the Mandarin film circle His screen debut was Qiu Jin the Revolutionary Heroine and later became a household name with Songs of the Peach Blossom River Comedy and musical were Chens specialities His acclaimed works include Les Belles Love Parade The Dancing Millionairies Hong Kong Nocturne and Hong Kong Rhapsody It was a sensation when Chen and fellow actress Betty Loh Ti were married in 1962 yet the relationship only lasted for five years Chen died of bowel cancer in New York on april 17 1970 He was 40