Andrew Wei Lin took his own life on Friday, June 12, 2009. It is a shock to all of us who worked with him on this project and became his friend beyond that. He is deeply missed. Andrew was a brilliant, charismatic, intelligent, humorous and hugely talented young man. He was twenty-eight years old. Whatever demons he struggled with cannot hurt him any longer. Rest in peace, dark angel.
Andrew Wei Lin rests between takes...
17 responses so far ↓
tokyogodfather // July 10, 2009 at 1:51 am |
I knew Andrew in college, and though we weren’t close, he was close to someone who was close to me. He was tolerant of that, and never once made me feel unwelcome.
I looked up to and admired him.
His death saddens me beyond words, and is one of those that makes you think that world is now with one less light than it had before…
Rest In Piece, my 義理 Big Brother, rest in piece.
Dan Yahraes // July 27, 2009 at 12:58 am |
I JUST WATCHED THIS MOVIE!!! I was googling Nicole and Andrew to get their bios and I read how Andrew apparently took his own life! This is so, so , so sad to me!!!! I just became fascinated by his performance, as well as the other actors, and then to discover he passed away just recently is so upsetting. I would love to get anymore feedback on his life and background. My thoughts go out to anyone who was touched by his life.
Sincerely… A new Andrew fan…. Daniel Y.
thenewtwenty // July 27, 2009 at 1:27 pm |
Thanks for your interest and concern. Andrew does indeed give a great performance in THE NEW TWENTY. He has a moment in closeup after he tells his sister that he’s broken up with Robert, that I think is emblematic of both the movie and who he is as an actor: intense, charismatic, intelligent, deep. It’s a very honest moment and a very honest performance. Hard to believe it’s his first leading role in a film! We can only imagine what other work he might have done. He is sorely missed.
– Chris Mason Johnson, writer/director THE NEW TWENTY
michel andre jean lemesle // August 2, 2009 at 1:10 am |
oh my god, so sad…..
just look the New twenty yesterday night and wanted to look after him, make me feel deeply touched and sad.
michel
Kirsten // August 11, 2009 at 9:04 am |
I am so sad to hear that Andrew took he’s own life….. i have just watched the new twenty and was looking to see what else he had been in as i thought he’s performance was superb…….. my thoughts go out to he’s friends and family…….
thenewtwenty // August 11, 2009 at 7:11 pm |
Thanks for your kind words. Andrew did a lot of work on stage, in Los Angeles – he was a big Shakespeare fan – but THE NEW TWENTY is, to my knowledge, his largest and probably his best film role.
Thomas // August 24, 2009 at 3:06 pm |
Having watched the dvd “The New Twenty” and the next day to read about Andrew Wei Lin’s death is very sad. Adding to what Dan said, it would be nice if someone would write a short obit and include info about the memorial held at the Starlight Theatre. Chris Mason Johnson mentions in the dvd’s commentary that the final scene in his movie is an homage to “Happy Together”. Ironic that one of the leads in that film was Leslie Cheung who also took his own life.
Ted // September 5, 2009 at 10:03 pm |
Gosh. i feel so upset and sad about this Andrew Wei Lin news. I just finished watching the DVD and wanted to find out more about this attractive and talented actor and only to to find out he took his own life just a few months ago. I don’t understand! Why??? He reminds me of a Hong Kong TVB actor, Roger Kwok, who is also a very talented actor. They look so much alike.
Andrew’s family and friends, please accept my sincere condolence for your lost.
Andrew… where ever you are… rest in peace. And I thank you for leaving us such an endearing image in gay film and gay character.
Finally, I would like to thank Chris Mason Johnson for the great film. Please keep up the good work.
Ted
thenewtwenty // September 11, 2009 at 2:36 pm |
Yes, it was a shocking and sudden thing and a terrible loss for his family and friends. I am not sure why Andrew took his own life. He was a brilliant and loving but very volatile young man – not yet 30. Very sad…
Thank you for praising my film and Andrew’s performance in it (he gave a wonderfully nuanced and personal performance) and thank you for the encouragement. I do intend to make another film very soon – we are nearing pre-production – and it will also touch on gay themes and characters. It will be a comedy this time, though, called SKIRT. It’s a comedy of gay marriage.
–Chris
AmberMou // September 12, 2009 at 8:51 pm |
He is a very talented actor, his performance in the new twenty is very attractive, he is very nice, I really feel very sorry …
Thank you chris mason johnson!!
I would like to know him? The New Twenty was his only one movie?
Miss you forever….
Sasha Adkinson // September 25, 2009 at 12:45 am |
Andrew was one of my close friends! He was a force of life and will be missed by all that knew him. Very sad that we didn’t see each other much in the last few months and even sadder that no one took the time to find all his friends and let us know what happened. We found out today.. So to everyone out there if you have a friend and it’s been awhile since you have seen them reach out and make some time. Even in busy LA…
thenewtwenty // September 26, 2009 at 6:36 pm |
I am sorry you found out so late. We who worked on the film didn’t have contact with his friends, and the family was very private about everything. For the first few days, Andrew’s Facebook page became a kind of memorial, and I was hoping it would stay up and allow people to communicate and mourn. I have heard of pages staying up for years after a death, and they become a place to visit. But the family took it down. No doubt they were in shock. It was all very fast.
–Chris Mason Johnson
michemiche // September 26, 2009 at 9:51 pm |
no problem, just have to create a new page on facebook for him, i loved him so much……………
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=100000359071923&ref=name
michemcihe
Rio Ahn // October 2, 2009 at 10:11 pm |
I met Andrew on set when we were both working as extras on some tv show in 2004. We became friends although for a very short period. He was just starting out in the theater and was excited about his first role. What we found in common was our passion to put Asian actors on the map and break the stereotype in Hollywood. I often wondered what happened to him because I have never been able to pursue my dreams like he did. I just now saw his name on IMDB, his date of death, and wondered if Andrew Wei Lin was the same Andrew Lin. I was saddened to see it was. All I can say is he DID succeed and he DID follow his dreams, and he was on his way to a long and promising career
-Rio Ahn
Sam // October 27, 2009 at 8:43 pm |
Wow! I just saw “The New Twenty” this evening on TV and after the movie eagerly went to IMDB like I always do to check out more information. When I clicked on the link for Andrew I was first looking for DOB and then had to do a double-take when I read “Date of Death”. Geeeeeez!!! I am shocked and saddened. An attractive young fellow, he certainly could have landed any number of character roles. I also have to say that I first looked at Nicole’s page on IMDB and after seeing her quite extensive resume, was expecting the same on Andrew but was shocked that he has passed away. I was excited and it was so neat to see an Asian actor portraying a gay guy in this very nice, contemporary film. But alas…RIP indeed…
Gary Mosel // October 28, 2009 at 1:51 pm |
I love the film. I cried when Andrew said ” I love You ” At the front door. He was an amazing actor. I found this site searching for his work and did not know of his departure. I am sad . It is everyone’s loss not to be able to see more of this truly talented performer.
Lin // November 4, 2009 at 3:09 am |
I just watched the film a few mins ago!!! and Andrew Wei Lin is the first character I googled and suggestions were his death? I was so shocked that I thought google was suggesting stupidly, I was even more shocked when I saw this. I was so happy at last to see some talented Asians in an American movie that I wanted to know more about him. Any Biography of him apart from his date of departure? RIP. You will be remembered.