Aileen Tan Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Height, Parents, Awards

Aileen Tan Lay Ching, known professionally as Aileen Tan, is a Singaporean actress celebrated for her versatile performances across Mandarin and English-language dramas, including Three Women and a Half, Growing Up, and SHERO.

Rising to prominence as the first runner-up and Miss Photogenic in the inaugural Star Search 1988, she has built a career spanning over three decades, earning multiple accolades such as the Best Actress Award at the 2001 Star Awards and Best Supporting Actress at the 2013 Asian Television Awards.

Profile

• Full Name: Aileen Tan Lay Ching
• Stage Name: Aileen Tan
• Born: 18, October 1966
• Age: 58 years old
• Birthplace: Singapore
• Nationality: Singaporean
• Occupation: Actress, Producer
• Height: 1.70m
• Parents: Mr. Tan and Mrs. Tan
• Siblings: One younger sister
• Spouse: Gerald Lee (m. 2002)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Aileen Tan Lay Ching was born on October 18, 1966, in Singapore to Mr. Tan and Mrs. Tan, both of Hokkien descent.

She grew up with a younger sister, whose wedding coincidentally shares the same date as Tan’s own.

Tan studied at Willow Secondary School, where she developed an early interest in performance, though she initially pursued practical careers.

Specific details about her higher education are not publicly available. Her religious beliefs are not disclosed, aligning with her private approach to personal matters.

Career

Aileen Tan began her career after a script supervisor spotted her at a gym, encouraging her to join the inaugural Star Search 1988 despite her limited Mandarin skills.

Placing second behind Zoe Tay and winning Miss Photogenic, she signed with the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, debuting in dramas that showcased her natural charisma.

Early roles in series like The Blazing Trail (1994) earned her a Best Actress nomination at China’s Magnolia Awards, marking her as a leading actress in her first 15 years. Her ability to tackle diverse roles, from undercover cops to ambitious managers, established her as a versatile talent.

Tan’s crossover into English-language dramas expanded her reach, with notable roles as Mae in Growing Up (2000), MediaCorp Channel 5’s longest-running series, and Suzanne Kong in Red Thread (2009) alongside Adrian Pang.

Her performance in the four-episode drama The Day It Rained on Our Parade (2013) won her Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 18th Asian Television Awards.

In 2015, she took on a lead role in Jack Neo’s Long Long Time Ago and its sequel, portraying a resilient sister in a post-independence Singapore family, which required grueling shoots in Ipoh. Her 2001 Best Actress Star Award for Three Women and a Half, where she played a cunning manager, remains a career highlight.

Tan continues to excel in supporting roles, earning her second Best Supporting Actress Star Award in 2024 for her villainous role in the action drama SHERO (2023), following her 2017 win for Hero.

Recent projects include The Blockbusters (2024) and Never Too Late (2024), where she showcased her ability to embody complex characters.

Her mentorship of younger actors, like helping Zhai Siming evoke emotion during All Around You (2020), reflects her dedication to the craft. Tan’s influence endures through her consistent performances, advocacy for professionalism, and ability to navigate challenging roles, including villains that require significant mental adjustment.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @aileentan80
• Facebook Handle: Aileen Tan

Personal Life

Aileen Tan married Hong Kong-born director Gerald Lee on February 25, 2002, a date that also marks Lee’s birthday, her sister’s anniversary, and her niece’s wedding.

The couple has no children together, but Tan treats Lee’s son from his first marriage, now in his 30s, as her own, encouraging him and his Japanese wife to live independently to avoid cultural conflicts.

In 2006, Tan experienced an ectopic pregnancy, leading to an abortion that deeply affected her.

A compassionate and family-oriented individual, she navigated challenges with her mother-in-law by compromising, reflecting her commitment to family harmony. In 2023, Tan thwarted a scam attempt by an impersonator of her husband, showcasing her quick thinking.

Filmography

• The Blazing Trail (1994)
• Growing Up (2000)
• Three Women and a Half (2001)
• Mr. Kiasu (2001)
• Red Thread (2009)
• C.L.I.F. (2011)
• Mata Mata (2013)
• The Day It Rained on Our Parade (2013)
• Long Long Time Ago (2016)
• Long Long Time Ago 2 (2016)
• Hero (2017)
• Have a Little Faith (2017)
• All Around You (2020)
• My Star Bride (2021)
• I Do, Do I? (2023)
• The Blockbusters (2024)
• Never Too Late (2024)

Net Worth

Aileen Tan has an estimated net worth of $3 million.

Her wealth is primarily derived from her extensive acting career, with earnings from leading and supporting roles in Mediacorp dramas like Three Women and a Half, SHERO, and Long Long Time Ago.