Marcus Chin Used To Make S$543 A Day As A Performer In The ’80s, But He Squandered All His Money On Food, Alcohol & Women

Marcus Chin has worn many hats throughout his career, which started a long, long time ago in the '70s.

The 67-year-old veteran star, who is now best known for being part of Love 972’s super popular The Breakfast Quartet, is an actor, host, singer, a getai performer, an acting coach, a scriptwriter, and these days, a live streamer.

What many do not know is that Marcus was one of the most sought-after hosts and singers in the region in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Fans from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia would profess their undying love for him, and would turn up in droves to watch him perform.

At the peak of his popularity, Marcus was raking in the big bucks. Unfortunately, he ended up squandering most, if not all of of his earnings as he recalled on this week’s episode of Hear U Out.

“I used to perform in Indonesia and Malaysia. I was paid US$400 (S$543) a day in Indonesia, and I’d spend about two months there each time,” he said, adding that he would make about US$20K (S$27K) in two months , which was a huge amount in the ‘80s.

“I could have bought a house every time I came back from a gig in Indonesia, but I didn’t,” he said. “I spent it on food, alcohol and merrymaking. Nobody gave me a wake-up call and I didn’t know how to manage my money.”

Host Quan Yifeng then pointed out that it would be virtually impossible to spend that much money on just food and alcohol, and Marcus admitted that there was something else he splurged on: women.

“Perhaps it was because I was young, but I liked chasing girls. Going after women requires spending money. I bought them bags, watches, branded lighters,” he said. “Those cost more than S$300 each. The prices of the watches were in the thousands.”

As a performer, he also had to buy his own costumes, which Marcus said were “quite expensive” too.

Marcus only realised the folly of his ways after he found himself blacklisted by the authorities in 1982 when he was 28.

During a performance, he had changed the lyrics of Liu Wen Cheng’s 'Chi Dao' from You walked by me with a smile, you brought me troubles to “You came into my room scantily dressed. My heart started beating faster after I saw you”.

Such lyrics would barely raise an eyebrow now, but back then, they were deemed extremely controversial. It was, after all, a very conservative time.

Marcus was told that someone from the Ministry of Culture wanted to speak to him about it. His first reaction? Tell them I'm not around, recalled a jittery Marcus. It wasn't not true since he was really performing overseas then.

When he returned to Singapore, he stopped receiving invitations to appear on TV and he said he became an outcast practically overnight.

He would eventually make his grand comeback 18 years later on variety shows Comedy Night and Top Fun, which were helmed by his mentee-turned-boss Jack Neo.

Here's the video for Part 1 of Marcus' interview on Hear U Out:

And here's Part 2:

Marcus' interview on Hear U Out is now available on meWATCH. Click here to watch Part 1 and here to watch Part 2.

Photos: Mediacorp, Marcus Chin's Facebook