EDITORIAL: Artists working in the police force always receive special attention from the audience due to the nature of their work. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the People's Police Force's Traditional Day, VietNamNet has launched a series of articles about artists who have worked and are working in the police force and are familiar to audiences nationwide through plays and films... to hear them share about their work and private lives.

More than 50 years of dedication to art is a long enough time for Colonel - People's Artist Tran Nhuong - former Director of the People's Police Drama Theater to look back on the path he has traveled. It is a journey that started from his childhood dream in the countryside of Hai Duong , to the most sublime years in the uniform of the people's police and a troubled life when he has reached the age of "thất thập cổ lai hy".

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People's Artist Tran Nhuong.

From a boy who loved theater to a stage and film artist

Born into a farming family, no one was involved in the arts, but from a young age, Tran Nhuong was fascinated by the performances of the Nam Sach Cheo troupe, the Hai Hung Cheo troupe, or the General Political Department Drama Troupe whenever he returned to his hometown to perform. The images of the artists transforming into characters, the lyrics, and the passionate singing instilled in young Tran Nhuong a desire to stand on stage.

The turning point came when Tran Nhuong was 20 years old. While preparing for the university entrance exam, Tran Nhuong was accidentally dragged by a friend to audition for the Hai Hung Dance and Drama Troupe. He was accepted, but his family strongly opposed it and even scolded him to the point of forcing him to marry a wife to "cut ties" with the stage. Overcoming these obstacles, Tran Nhuong chose the path of art.

Tran Nhuong was initially a singer, with his first performance in 1972 with the song Truong Son Song to serve wounded and sick soldiers. But he soon realized that his singing voice was not his advantage, so he switched to acting. His first roles as a puppet officer in Doctor Huynh (1973) or Phu in Sister Nhan (1974) opened new doors for Tran Nhuong.

On screen, he made his mark with the leading role of Tran Van Bang in Vet sang nguoc (1980) then Bich in Ai an chuang, ai thuong (1981) along with a series of supporting roles in Dem hoi Long Tri, Nhung sao nho, Tinh yeu va chac ach ...

In 1983, Tran Nhuong joined the People's Public Security Art Troupe (CAND), working there for nearly 30 years until his retirement with the rank of Colonel. He considered this the most glorious period of his career.

Sharing with VietNamNet reporter, People's Artist Tran Nhuong was moved when August 19 - the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Public Security Forces' Traditional Day - was approaching: "Over the past 50 years, I have always been grateful to the People's Public Security Forces for giving me the most brilliant and sublime days of artistic activities. The People's Public Security Forces in general and the People's Public Security Theatre in particular are where I can contribute and develop my creative ability. I am cherishing the idea of making a film about retired cadres of the industry."

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People's Artist Tran Nhuong is proud to wear the uniform of the people's police.

Joys and sorrows of old age

At the age of 73, People's Artist Tran Nhuong is still working hard. He regularly appears in TV dramas, participates in events, and sits on the judging panel of beauty contests. Tran Nhuong said that his work is not only a passion but also a way to fill the loneliness after three failed marriages.

His current life is simple: living alone, eating cheap meals, taking care of his own health despite having many chronic diseases such as herniated disc, diabetes, and gastric reflux. His daughter Anh Phuong was once the valedictorian of stage art design, and chose Ho Chi Minh City as the place to develop her career as an actress and model. Director Binh Trong's son - once invited him to live with them, but Tran Nhuong refused because he did not want to bother his children.

Looking back on more than half a century of his career, People's Artist Tran Nhuong admits that art has given him many things, especially the love of his audience, but it has also taken away a lot. Those were the days of performing far from home, not even having time to be with his father when he passed away. The memories he recounts still haunt him: "I came back, had time to say: I'm coming back to you, then saw two lines of tears flowing down my father's face and he closed his eyes forever."

To him, an artist is a silkworm that spins silk, exhausted by his profession. And even though he has retired, People's Artist Tran Nhuong still lives by that concept - an artist who does not stop at past glory but still quietly contributes, even when his health is no longer the same as before.

People's Artist Tran Nhuong and his two children in a skit

Photo: Document

How is the life of Colonel, People's Artist Tran Nhuong at the age of 73? At the age of 73, Colonel - People's Artist Tran Nhuong is still diligently performing, sitting in the hot seats of beauty contests, mentally preparing himself to be in a nursing home or maybe even pairing up with someone to keep him company.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/cuoc-song-nhieu-tran-tro-cua-dai-ta-cong-an-tran-nhuong-o-tuoi-73-2430570.html