Hong Kong media reports that TVB’s renowned foreign actor Gregory Charles Rivers (河国荣), originally from Australia, was found dead in his village house in Sai Kung, Hong Kong, on Friday night (2nd) due to carbon monoxide poisoning from burning charcoal.
Gregory Charles Rivers, a long-standing foreign actor at TVB, made a name for himself playing the roles of “foreigners,” often portraying characters like police officers or gentlemen. With his remarkable acting skills and striking appearance, Rivers left a profound impression on the audience.
Choosing the Chinese name “河国荣” because his surname ‘Rivers’ carries the meaning of ‘river’ and due to his admiration for Leslie Cheung (张国荣), Rivers moved to Hong Kong in 1987. He started as an English teacher before venturing into the entertainment industry with TVB.
Despite the affluent and respected characters he portrayed on-screen, Rivers’s reality was far from his roles. He struggled with depression, gastric issues, and was burdened with substantial debts due to medical expenses.
Despite his health battles, Rivers maintained a positive and optimistic outlook, often saying, “How can there be sweetness without bitterness?” He shared a love story spanning over three decades with his wife, Bonnie, whom he married in 1989. Together, they faced life’s challenges and even chose not to have children due to Bonnie’s heart condition, adopting 13 stray dogs instead.
However, the passing of Bonnie three months ago due to illness dealt a devastating blow to Rivers. The loss of his lifelong companion was a heavy burden. On February 2, 2024, Rivers chose to end his life by carbon monoxide poisoning, dying at the age of 58 in his own home.
