Choosing your family over career is never an easy decision to make, but for local actor Gurmit Singh, it’s something he’s “never regretted doing”.
In 2014, the Phua Chu Kang star stepped out of the limelight when he left Mediacorp after 20 years as a full-time artiste.
In a recent interview with Chinese media Zaobao.sg, the 59-year-old, who stars in new paranormal movie The Chosen One, shared more about why he chose to take a break from showbiz.
Pre-hiatus, he had never spent New Year’s Eve with his family as he was always working.
Gurmit and wife Melissa Wong, 54, have three children, Gabrielle, 27, Elliot, 22, and Mikaela, 11.
“I hosted the countdown show every year so I could never be with my family on that day. Back then I even asked Mediacorp: ‘You guys don’t have other actors who can count down from 10 to one?’,” he recalled.
This is why after Gurmit resigned, he immediately took his family on a two-week trip to Finland, and only returned on December 31.
“During countdown, our entire family was hugging one another on the plane and celebrating the New Year together. That was my first countdown with my family after being in showbiz for 20 years,” he chirped.
Gurmit also made it a point to have one-on-one trips with his kids.
He went on a 21-day 8,000km road trip across eight countries with Gabrielle when she was studying in England, while he and Elliot enjoyed a father-son trip to Bali.
Gurmit said he knew he made the right decision to leave his job when Elliot told him “this trip is amazing”.
What triggered Gurmit to make such a pivotal decision?
He admitted that he used to think that to be able to provide for his family was good enough, until something Gabrielle said made him realise otherwise.
“Back then I was acting full-time and rarely at home. When my eldest daughter was about 11, she was interviewed and asked what she thought about having a celebrity dad. She replied: ‘My dad is a very popular fictional character [Phua Chu Kang]’. Hearing that broke my heart,” said Gurmit.
This made him rethink his priorities. He discussed with his kids the implications of reducing his workload, which included giving up certain luxuries, like flying business class.
Elliot, then 13, was unfazed, saying, “If this means daddy can spend more time with us, it’s not an issue at all.”
When the Zaobao reporter praised Gurmit’s kids, the actor immediately clarified that all credit goes to his wife.
“My kids are only well-behaved because she guides them patiently. If they’re bad, then it has to be my fault,” he confessed.
But now that they’re grown up, perhaps his kids don’t need him around as much anymore?
“The funny thing is, sometimes when I’m at home, my family ends up being busy with their own stuff. It’s quite interesting, it’s like retribution,” he laughed.
That said, the actor affirmed that family will continue to be his utmost priority.
“I still have to be responsible for my youngest daughter’s education fees, pay for our car and feed the family. But at least I have control over what jobs I take on now and won’t have to miss my wife and kids’ birthdays ever again,” he explained.