Lim Kay Tong

Growing up, Lim's parents introduced him to plays, literature, and all things artistic from the many books around their house. Lim's father, a radiologist, wanted him to become a barrister, but was supportive of his acting dreams.{{cite news|last1=Cheong|first1=Wayne|title=Lim Kay Tong|url=http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|access-date=7 October 2014|agency=Esquire Singapore|publisher=Mongoose Publishing|date=3 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002304/http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

Educated at Anglo-Chinese School and a boarding school in England, Lim was a national rugby player in his youth, playing the wing-forward position.{{cite news|last1=Robert|first1=Godfrey|title=Schoolboy Ting in U-23 rugby team|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19740814-1.2.110.aspx|access-date=18 September 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=14 August 1974|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917034926/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19740814-1.2.110.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Robert|first1=Godfrey|title=Comeback by ex-stars Salleh and Foo|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19750708-1.2.111.19.aspx|access-date=18 September 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=8 July 1975|archive-date=16 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916200447/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19750708-1.2.111.19.aspx|url-status=live}} While serving National Service, Lim earned a Singapore Armed Forces Colours award for his accomplishments in rugby.{{cite news|title=Supra is Forces' Sportsman of Year|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19750705-1.2.126.14.aspx|access-date=18 September 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=5 July 1975|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917033226/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19750705-1.2.126.14.aspx|url-status=live}}

In 1975, Lim moved to East Riding of Yorkshire, England, to further his education. He graduated from the University of Hull in 1978 with a Bachelor of Acts (Honours) in English and Drama, where the late Anthony Minghella was his contemporary and tutor.{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Mayo|title=Ten One|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080409-1.2.44.2.aspx|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=TODAY|publisher=MediaCorp|date=9 April 2008|archive-date=24 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424053024/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080409-1.2.44.2.aspx|url-status=live}} In 1980, he earned a diploma in Acting from the Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. In England, he had several bit parts for the BBC's Doctor Who and The Chinese Detective series. In between these walk-on roles, Lim took on odd jobs like window washing, being a night janitor and washing dishes to earn extra money.{{cite news|last1=Abisheganaden|first1=Jacintha|title=Talent night Best Actress Best Actor|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19821021-1.2.241.aspx|access-date=18 September 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=21 October 1982|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063019/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19821021-1.2.241.aspx|url-status=live}}

Lim's acting career began on the stage, when he auditioned for a production while being bored during National Service.{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Mayo|title=Ten One|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080409-1.2.44.2.aspx|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=TODAY|publisher=MediaCorp|date=9 April 2008|archive-date=24 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424053024/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080409-1.2.44.2.aspx|url-status=live}} In 1974, he starred in Robert Yeo's landmark play, Are You There, Singapore? for the Experimental Theatre Club.{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=Corrie|title=Classic Singapore plays No. 2 – Are You There, Singapore?|url=http://stcommunities.straitstimes.com/show/2014/10/01/classic-singapore-plays-2-are-you-there-singapore|access-date=2 October 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006090421/http://stcommunities.straitstimes.com/show/2014/10/01/classic-singapore-plays-2-are-you-there-singapore|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}} His other initial acting roles were in the plays Equus (1975) and Marching Song (197?) for the University Drama Society and One Mad Night (1975) for the Stage Club.

Upon his return from England, Lim played the lead role in the Experimental Theatre Club's Terry Rex (1982). The Straits Times' Minu Tharoor praised his Terry, writing, "Stage presence is too cliché a term for the imaginative energy with which Kay Tong took control of the play, the stage and his part".{{cite news|last1=Tharoor|first1=Minu|title=Terry Rex: moving theatre|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19821011-1.2.174.14.2.aspx|access-date=18 September 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=11 October 1982|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085848/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19821011-1.2.174.14.2.aspx|url-status=live}} For his performance, Lim clinched the Singapore Drama Festival Best Actor Award.

In the same year, Lim began his career as a journalist with The Straits Times. While covering the arts, Lim continued acting in plays like David Henry Hwang's F.O.B. (Fresh Off Boat) (1982), Chandran Lingam's The Nuns (1983) and Abigail's Party (1983), for which his "marvellously taut performance" was praised by The Singapore Monitor's Yap Koon Hong.{{cite news|last1=Yap|first1=Koon Hong|title=Susan's Party: A sitcom that transcends cultures|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singmonitor19830927-1.2.27.2.aspx|access-date=18 September 2014|agency=The Singapore Monitor|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070057/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singmonitor19830927-1.2.27.2.aspx|url-status=live}}

Lim's entry into film began in 1984, when he auditioned for the New York casting agent of Year of the Dragon (1985) in Singapore. Lim was unsuccessful, but the casting agent remembered him and recommended him for Shanghai Surprise (1986). Although the film was not critically acclaimed, it gave Lim the break to star in films like Keys to Freedom (1988) and Fifty/Fifty (1992). Lim also got the role of an interrogator in Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor (1987), but had to give up the role due to a scheduling conflict.{{cite news|title=Trailblazing a path to Hollywood|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newpaper19881228-1.2.21.2.aspx|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=The New Paper|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=28 December 1988|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720210257/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19881228-1.2.21.2|url-status=live}}

In 1985, Lim tried his hand at directing with David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross, retitled Paradise Heights, for the Drama Festival. The Straits Times' Rebecca Chua found that Lim's debut as director "displayed some uncertainty".{{cite news|last1=Chua|first1=Rebecca|title=No new heights in Paradise|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19850826-1.2.48.1.aspx|access-date=18 September 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=26 August 1985|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006072442/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19850826-1.2.48.1.aspx|url-status=live}} In the same year, Lim resigned from The Straits Times to set up TheatreWorks in February.{{Cite web |date=2015-10-06 |title='LKY' vs 'LKY' |url=https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/lky-vs-lky |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=AsiaOne |language=en |archive-date=11 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411031646/https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/lky-vs-lky |url-status=live }} TheatreWorks, the first adult professional theatre company in Singapore, was formed to "promote theatre that is relevant to Singaporeans" and create work for English-language actors. Lim served as the company's press and media relations consultant, in addition to acting in several of their plays.{{cite news|last1=Hoe|first1=Irene|title=Second theatre group formed|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19850217-1.2.22.12.aspx|access-date=18 September 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=17 February 1985|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006085844/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19850217-1.2.22.12.aspx|url-status=live}} Lim also acted in the English-language versions of Kuo Pao Kun's influential plays The Coffin is Too Big for the Hole (1985) and No Parking on Odd Days (1986). Both productions travelled to the Hong Kong Arts Festival in 1987. Of the role he originated in The Coffin is Too Big for the Hole, Lim remembers: "For me, [a one-man show] was panic stations. I had never done a long monologue. In drama school, we had to prepare monologues based on a Shakespearean character. Nothing like this, which was 30 to 35 minutes long. And [Kuo] spent at least a couple of weeks just talking to me. I was worried. Because I thought, when is he going to get down to it?" In preparation, Kuo and Lim visited a coffin-maker and discussed the nature of funerals while Lim memorised the script.{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=Corrie|title=Veiled digs at society and red tape|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/theatre-dance/story/classic-singapore-plays-4-the-coffin-too-big-the-hole-20141001|access-date=30 September 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=30 September 2014|archive-date=2 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002161557/http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/theatre-dance/story/classic-singapore-plays-4-the-coffin-too-big-the-hole-20141001|url-status=live}}

In the late 1980s, Lim spent a few years in Los Angeles, landing roles in Off Limits (1988) and It Could Happen to You (1994). He found the city "very cutthroat and very fake. I didn't like the obsession with showbiz there. It wasn't like living a normal life in a normal city. I knew it was tough before I went, but I also knew if I stayed any longer my soul would be destroyed. The truth is that you had to be in the racial majority to get the parts."{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=Jeanine|title=Singapore's Taxi Driver?|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20050817-1.2.44.1.aspx|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=TODAY|publisher=MediaCorp|date=17 August 2005|archive-date=11 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011043930/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20050817-1.2.44.1.aspx|url-status=live}} Lim also confessed that he's "not one for schmoozing. My career would have been severely hampered if I had hung out there."{{cite news|last1=Cheong|first1=Wayne|title=Lim Kay Tong|url=http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|access-date=7 October 2014|agency=Esquire Singapore|publisher=Mongoose Publishing|date=3 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002304/http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

Returning to Singapore for good in 1994, Lim starred in MediaCorp's award-winning TV programme Growing Up (1996–2001), set in 1960s and 1970s Singapore. His "outstanding portrayal" as the family patriarch led him to be named by The Straits Times as one of the top ten dads on TV in 2013.{{cite web|last1=Wai|first1=Rebecca|title=[ALL THINGS LOCAL] OUR FAVOURITE SINGAPOREAN TV SHOWS|url=http://poachedmag.com/2013/08/09/all-things-local-our-favourite-singaporean-tv-shows/|website=Poached Magazine|access-date=19 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918141902/http://poachedmag.com/2013/08/09/all-things-local-our-favourite-singaporean-tv-shows/|archive-date=18 September 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=The top ten dads on TV|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/celebrating-dads/story/the-top-10-dads-tv-20130611?page=4|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=11 June 2013|archive-date=11 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011010108/http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/celebrating-dads/story/the-top-10-dads-tv-20130611?page=4|url-status=live}} During his tenure on Growing Up, Lim experienced deaths in his family, which led him to reflect on his role: "You understand grief, loss, redemption, hope...It was a good time to have played that role not only for the experience as an actor, but also [its lessons in] life. If you're to be remembered for a role for the rest of your life, make the most of it."{{cite news|last1=Cheong|first1=Wayne|title=Lim Kay Tong|url=http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|access-date=8 October 2014|agency=Esquire Singapore|publisher=Mongoose Publishing|date=3 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002304/http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}} From 1999 to the early 2000s, Lim wrote a fortnightly column for The New Paper.

Lim's career-defining lead performance as Harry Lee in Perth (2004) was praised by TODAY's Ross Wallace, who wrote, "If there were any doubts that Lim Kay Tong is Singapore's finest actor, 2004's Perth should have laid them to rest...[a] towering performance".{{cite news|last1=Wallace|first1=Ross|title=Perth|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20060729-1.2.29.5.1.aspx|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=TODAY|publisher=MediaCorp|date=29 July 2006|archive-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013003733/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20060729-1.2.29.5.1.aspx|url-status=live}} Comparing his acting to Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, TODAY also ranked his role as one of the best "male performances of the year in any genre, any country", asking, "Has there ever been a Singaporean performance that surpassed Lim's deranged taxi driver?"{{cite news|title=THE BEST AND THE WORST|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20051223-2.2.62.5.aspx|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=TODAY|publisher=MediaCorp|date=23 December 2005|archive-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013004855/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20051223-2.2.62.5.aspx|url-status=live}} Neil Humphreys called Lim's "world-class performance" in Perth "almost without parallel", writing, "This is not a portrayal; it's a metamorphosis".{{cite news|last1=Humphreys|first1=Neil|title=They might be giants... so is Lim|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20050823-1.2.44.4.1.aspx|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=TODAY|publisher=MediaCorp|date=23 August 2005|archive-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013004511/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20050823-1.2.44.4.1.aspx|url-status=live}} Reflecting on his role, Lim said "it was about time. [The film] wasn't commercially successful, but the role was meaningful...I'm still adamant that I should have underplayed certain parts of Harry, but I'm sure [director] Djinn won't back down from his direction."{{cite news|last1=Cheong|first1=Wayne|title=Lim Kay Tong|url=http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|access-date=8 October 2014|agency=Esquire Singapore|publisher=Mongoose Publishing|date=3 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002304/http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

In 2007, Lim played the lead in The Photograph, speaking Bahasa Indonesia, a role he considers "significant" in his career.{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Corrie |title=The two 'LKYs' face off |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/the-two-lkys-face-off |website=The Straits Times |date=6 October 2015 |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |access-date=21 August 2019 |archive-date=21 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821223427/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/the-two-lkys-face-off |url-status=live }} The Indonesian feature film won the 2008 Special Jury Prize at the 43rd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. In the same year, Lim also served as a jury member of the Singapore International Film Festival.{{cite news|title=Subtlety wins big at film fest|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20070428-1.2.44.2.3.aspx|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=TODAY|publisher=MediaCorp|date=28 April 2007|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082106/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20070428-1.2.44.2.3.aspx|url-status=live}} In 2010, Lim won the Asian Television Award Best Drama Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Harris Fong in legal drama The Pupil (2010–2011). In 2013, Lim received his second The Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards nomination for Best Actor for Goh Lay Kuan & Kuo Pao Kun (2012–2013), after his first nod for The House of Sleeping Beauties (1994). The Straits Times' Corrie Tan called Lim's performance as Kuo "electrifying...Lim was an incredibly charismatic presence on stage as he breathed life into Kuo's characters. He had a very commanding presence".{{cite web|last1=Ting|first1=Lisabel|title=A half-dozen good men|url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20130618-430578/7.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140920002422/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20130618-430578/7.html|url-status=live|archive-date=20 September 2014|website=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|access-date=19 September 2014}}

In 2014, Lim starred as a fortune teller in HBO (Asia)'s original series, Grace, for which he won the Asian Television Award for Best Supporting Actor for the second time in December 2015.{{cite news|last1=Yip|first1=Wai Yee|title=Lim Kay Tong wins at Asian Television Awards|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/lim-kay-tong-wins-at-asian-television-awards|access-date=14 December 2015|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=3 December 2015|archive-date=6 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206031325/http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/lim-kay-tong-wins-at-asian-television-awards|url-status=live}} In October, he became the first local star to grace the cover of Esquire Singapore.{{cite news|last1=Cheong|first1=Wayne|title=Lim Kay Tong|url=http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|access-date=7 October 2014|agency=Esquire Singapore|publisher=Mongoose Publishing|date=3 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002304/http://www.esquiresingapore.com/Entertainment/Features/article/Lim-Kay-Tong|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}} In the same month, it was revealed that Lim will play founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in the upcoming film celebrating Singapore's Golden Jubilee, 1965. Lim said, "Lee Kuan Yew is a corner of the story. He frames the timeline, as to when the events take place. It is not overwhelmingly undoable, because it's just a handful of appearances stretched over the time in 1965 and maybe one other scene when he is much older. I overcame my cowardice, and said, 'Let's give it a go and see what happens.'"{{cite news|last1=Ng|first1=Gwendolyn|title=Lim Kay Tong to play founding PM Lee Kuan Yew in the movie 1965|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/movies/story/lim-kay-tong-play-founding-pm-lee-kuan-yew-the-movie-1965-20141008|access-date=8 October 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=8 October 2014|archive-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008120129/http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/movies/story/lim-kay-tong-play-founding-pm-lee-kuan-yew-the-movie-1965-20141008|url-status=live}}

In February 2015, Lim reunited with his Growing Up co-star Wee Soon Hui to play husband and wife again in the Channel 5 telemovie Love is Love: Sunset.{{cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Gwendolyn |title=In love again |url=https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/love-again |access-date=21 August 2019 |agency=The Straits Times |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |date=12 February 2015 |archive-date=21 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821213950/https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/love-again |url-status=live }}

In July 2015, Lim portrayed Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew in the historical film 1965, including a re-enactment of the iconic press conference when Lee announced that Singapore would be separated from Malaysia.{{cite news|last1=Yip|first1=Wai Yee|title=Challenge playing Lee Kuan Yew|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/challenge-playing-lee-kuan-yew|access-date=14 December 2015|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=29 July 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222224727/http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/challenge-playing-lee-kuan-yew|url-status=live}} In the same month, Lim read Lee Kuan Yew quotes, paired with music, during a one-night performance with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.{{cite news |last1=Leong |first1=Weng Kam |title=SCO pays tribute to Singapore |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/sco-pays-tribute-to-singapore |access-date=21 August 2019 |agency=The Straits Times |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |date=3 July 2015 |archive-date=21 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821214749/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/sco-pays-tribute-to-singapore |url-status=live }}

In August 2015, Lim played the lead role in okto's TV movie, Second Chances, about a group of old folks who break out of an old folks’ home.{{cite news|last1=Sing|first1=Melissa Gail|title=Lim Kay Tong: The Life and Opinions of a Veteran Actor|url=http://sg.asiatatler.com/arts-culture/life/lim-kay-tong-the-life-and-opinions-of-a-veteran-actor|access-date=27 August 2016|agency=Singapore Tatler|publisher=Edipresse Media Asia Limited|date=14 August 2015|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828040744/http://sg.asiatatler.com/arts-culture/life/lim-kay-tong-the-life-and-opinions-of-a-veteran-actor|url-status=live}}

In early 2016, Lim played one of the lead roles, Allen, in Ying J. Tan's feature film, Rough Mix.{{cite AV media| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/6WPAZAUF6Yo| archive-date = 2021-12-11| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WPAZAUF6Yo| title = Rough Mix the Movie | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

From 2017 to 2018, Lim worked on two Singtel advertisement campaigns. He narrated the telecommunications company's "Power On" video series in 2017, and in 2018, starred in their hit Chinese New Year short film, "Mr Lim’s Reunion Dinner".{{cite web |title=Singtel unveils Power On video to support Team Singapore at the 2017 SEA Games |url=https://www.singtel.com/about-Us/news-releases/singtel-unveils-power-on-video-to-suport-team-singapore-at-the-2017-sea-games |website=Singtel |access-date=21 August 2019 |archive-date=21 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821211922/https://www.singtel.com/about-Us/news-releases/singtel-unveils-power-on-video-to-suport-team-singapore-at-the-2017-sea-games |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Singtel's Chinese New Year video strikes chord with netizens |url=https://www.singtel.com/about-Us/news-releases/singtels-chinese-new-year-video-strikes-chord-with-netizens |website=Singtel |access-date=21 August 2019 |archive-date=21 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821211923/https://www.singtel.com/about-Us/news-releases/singtels-chinese-new-year-video-strikes-chord-with-netizens |url-status=live }} In 2020, Lim returned as the narrator of Singtel's National Day short film.{{cite web |title=Singtel National Day Campaign Strives for Optimistic Tone During Difficult Times |url=https://www.brandinginasia.com/singtel-national-day-campaign-strives-for-optimistic-tone-during-difficult-times/ |website=Branding in Asia Magazine |access-date=13 June 2021 |date=2020-07-31 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613163415/https://www.brandinginasia.com/singtel-national-day-campaign-strives-for-optimistic-tone-during-difficult-times/ |url-status=live }}

In 2019, Lim gave an acting masterclass as part of Manulife Singapore's “Stop the Drama” advertisement.{{cite web |last1=Ng |first1=Avelyn |title=Manulife asks folks 'Stop the Drama' on what heart attacks really look like |url=https://www.marketing-interactive.com/manulife-asks-folks-stop-the-drama-on-what-heart-attacks-really-look-like/ |website=Marketing Interactive |date=8 March 2019 |publisher=Lighthouse Independent Media Pte Ltd |access-date=21 August 2019 |archive-date=21 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821211919/https://www.marketing-interactive.com/manulife-asks-folks-stop-the-drama-on-what-heart-attacks-really-look-like/ |url-status=live }}

Lim is the older brother of fellow actor Lim Kay Siu, who he starred with in multiple plays.{{cite news|last1=Oorjitham|first1=Santha|title=The Sum of Their Parts|url=http://www-cgi.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/97/0912/feat4.html|access-date=18 September 2014|agency=Asiaweek|date=9 December 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011031543/http://www-cgi.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/97/0912/feat4.html|archive-date=11 October 2014|url-status=dead}} His sister, Irene Lim Kay Han, is an actress. He is first cousins with singer-songwriter Dick Lee.{{cite web|title=i've always loved Dick Lee.|url=http://singaporetla.tumblr.com/post/10586420682/ive-always-loved-dick-lee-to-me-he-is-one-of|website=Singapore TLA|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028054042/http://singaporetla.tumblr.com/post/10586420682/ive-always-loved-dick-lee-to-me-he-is-one-of|url-status=dead}}

Lim is married to food writer Sylvia Tan Jui Huang whom playwright Michael Chiang introduced him to.{{cite web|title=Lim Kay Tong and Sylvia Toh|url=http://multimedia.asiaone.com/static/multimedia/gallery/100514_gks/pic106.html|website=AsiaOne|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219171724/http://multimedia.asiaone.com/static/multimedia/gallery/100514_gks/pic106.html|archive-date=19 December 2014|url-status=dead}} He is also an amateur photographer.{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Mayo|title=Ten One|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080409-1.2.44.2.aspx|access-date=19 September 2014|agency=TODAY|publisher=MediaCorp|date=9 April 2008|archive-date=24 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424053024/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080409-1.2.44.2.aspx|url-status=live}}

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Category:1954 births

Category:Living people

Category:Singaporean people of Hokkien descent

Category:Peranakan people in Singapore

Category:Anglo-Chinese School alumni

Category:Alumni of the University of Hull

Category:Alumni of the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art

Category:Singaporean male stage actors

Category:Singaporean male television actors

Category:Singaporean male film actors

Category:Singaporean journalists

Category:Singaporean male voice actors