Actor Duc Tien passes away at 44 in US

Actor Duc Tien. Photo courtesy of "Doa Hoa Mong Manh" film crew

The actor died on Saturday evening, with his wife Nguyen Binh Phuong, a top 10 Miss Vietnam World 2007 contestant, by his side during his final moments.

Actress Mai Thu Huyen, producer of "Doa Hoa Mong Manh" (A Fragile Flower)—the last film Duc Tien was involved in—shared heart-wrenching details: "Phuong said her husband visited a friend’s house over the weekend."

"He was standing and cutting fruit when he suddenly collapsed," Huyen further added. "He was rushed to the emergency room, but he did not survive."

Friends and colleagues noted that Duc Tien exhibited no signs of illness and maintained an active presence in his professional and daily activities right up until his death.

"He still participated in the premiere in Vietnam of "Doa Hoa Mong Manh" in April, and he also went on a cinema tour around the country with the film crew," Huyen stated.

"Duc Tien was one of the kindest, gentlest colleagues I have ever met," she added. "Even when he didn’t have many scenes, he fully supported everyone from the actors to the producer. Currently, the entire film crew is in shock."

The news of Duc Tien’s sudden death also stunned other colleagues of his, including actress Trizzie Phuong Trinh and singer Quang Thanh who expressed disbelief and sorrow.

"Many colleagues deeply loved Duc Tien, so his sudden passing is just unbelievable," Quang Thanh said.

"It was truly heartbreaking to receive a FaceTime call seeing Duc Tien lying on the hospital bed but couldn’t be saved anymore," said designer Vu Ngoc Tu, a close friend of the actor and his wife. "Phuong was in shock, and she cried a lot."

Tu reminisced about how Duc Tien consistently exuded health and vitality, often admired for his stamina in managing a hectic schedule of shows, charity work, and travel between the U.S. and Vietnam.

"Hearing of his death, I was extremely shocked," Tu stated.

Duc Tien’s social media activity showed him celebrating Buddha’s Birthday at Minh Quang Dang temple in Georgia, Atlanta, just hours before his death.

Born Hoang Duc Tien, the actor moved to the U.S. in 2013, three years after marrying Phuong. He recently founded a media and event organizing company, while Phuong works for a pharmaceutical company.

His accomplishments in the entertainment industry also include winning the gold prize at a model competition in South Korea in 2010.

He and Phuong welcomed their first child in 2020.