According to Sina, An Van Vu passed away on 28/5 in Beijing following a period of illness. Artist Luc Tieu Linh Dong, a colleague, expressed his sorrow, stating, "This is a great loss for the art of Peking Opera. May he rest in peace."

An Van Vu and Luc Tieu Linh Dong (left) met in March. Photo: Weibo

An Van Vu gained recognition for his portrayal of Phuc Tinh, or the Star of Fortune, in the iconic 1982 television series "Journey to the West." This character typically appears alongside Tho Tinh (Star of Longevity) and Loc Tinh (Star of Prosperity), with the three figures symbolizing good fortune, happiness, and longevity.

Born in 1948, An Van Vu began his artistic journey at age 10, studying Chinese opera, a traditional Chinese art form. By 1962, he was performing with a theater troupe. His distinctive background led director Duong Kiet to invite him in 1982 to play an immortal in the epic series.

An Van Vu's portrayal of Phuc Tinh. Photo: Weibo

Luc Tieu Linh Dong had visited An Van Vu in March, noting at the time that he appeared healthy, showing no signs of illness. During that visit, the two reminisced about their younger days.

"Journey to the West" began filming in 1982 and first aired in its entirety in 1986. Duong Kiet (1929-2017) directed the series, with Vuong Sung Thu as cinematographer, and a main cast including Luc Tieu Linh Dong, Ma Duc Hoa, Tri Trong Thuy, and Tu Thieu Hoa. Despite difficult transportation, the film crew shot in many challenging locations, such as Flame Mountain in Xinjiang, deep forests in Jilin, waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou, and cliffside temples in Shanxi province. The work gained acclaim across many Asian countries and holds the record for the most replayed television series in China.

Nhu Anh (according to Sina)