They are foreign stars we’ve gazed at from afar – never, for a moment, conceiving that they were once a part of our very own galaxy. Born, and in some cases, partly raised in Malaysia, a clutch of international luminaries in the world’s constellation of celebrities had apparently launched into orbit from our very own shores. These brats of former expats eventually returned to their homelands, before proceeding to mount and dominate the global stage – with phantom umbilical cords still connected to Malaysia. So, in the shameless spirit of what is known in colloquial Malay as ‘tumpang glamour’, we’ve decided to gleefully list, lay claim to, and ride the coattails of the following popular personages (who may not even remember their birthplaces), in the hope that some of their stardust will scatter Malaysia-wards:
Claudia Wells
American film and TV actress
Born in Kuala Lumpur in 1966.
Starred in Back to the Future (1985) as Marty McFly’s girlfriend, Jennifer Parker (a role played by Elizabeth Shue in the two sequels). Other credits include Still Waters Burn (2008), and Starship: Rising (2014).
Michael Gough
British film, TV and stage actor
Born in Kuala Lumpur in 1916; died in London in 2011.
Starred as butler Alfred Pennyworth in the first four Batman films, beginning with Tim Burton’s 1989 blockbuster. Other credits include: The Boys from Brazil (1978), The Age of Innocence (1993), and Sleepy Hollow (1999). He won a Tony award in 1979.
Koreyoshi Kurahara
Japanese director and writer
Born in Kuching in 1927; died in Yokohama in 2002.
Considered one of Japan’s most commercially-successful directors ever, Kurahara directed the groundbreaking Antarctica (1983), the English-language Hiroshima (1995), and I Am Waiting (1957).
Shaun Maloney
Scottish professional footballer
Born in Miri in 1983.
An attacking midfielder for Hull City and the Scotland national team. He’s played for Celtic, Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic and Chicago Fire; and won numerous industry awards. He is eligible to play for Malaysia’s national team.
Shauna Macdonald
Scottish film and TV actress
Born in Kuala Lumpur in 1981
Starred as lead character Sarah in The Descent (2005) and The Descent 2 (2009). Other film credits include Filth (2013) and Howl (2015).
Simon Russell Beal
British film, theatre and TV actor
Born in Georgetown in 1961
Prolific actor whose film credits include My Week with Marilyn (2011), Into the Woods (2014) and the upcoming The Legend of Tarzan. He currently appears in TV series Penny Dreadful as Ferdinand Lyle.
Tadashi Takeda
Japanese professional footballer
Born in Georgetown in 1986
A rising star who currently plays for Fagiano Okayama in the J League Division 2. He is eligible to play for Malaysia’s national team.
Natasha Beaumont
British-Australian film and TV actress
Born in Kuala Lumpur in 1974
Starred in long-running British TV institution The EastEnders as SJ Fletcher. Film credits include Inception (2010) and Little Fish (2005).
Wendy Hoopes
American actress and director
Born in Kuala Lumpur in 1972
Appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014); and episodes of Law & Order, The Good Wife, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, and Sex and the City.
Peter Madden
British film and TV actor
Born in Ipoh in 1904; died in England in 1976
Appeared in some of Hollywood’s most iconic classic films, including From Russia with Love (1963), Doctor Zhivago (1965), Exodus (1960); and episodes of The Avengers.
Thane Bettany
English actor and dancer
Born in Sarawak (exact location unclear) in 1930.
Appeared in star-studded classic Fire Down Below (1957), and TV series Doctor Who, among other productions. He is the father of Hollywood star Paul Bettany and father-in-law of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Connelly.