Suhaimi Yusof


Suhaimi Yusof is a Singaporean actor, comedian, entertainer and radio DJ, known for playing exaggerated Malay stereotype characters and for his spontaneity.

Life and career

Early life

Suhaimi was born in September 4, 1969, in Jalan Kampung Tengah, Punggol, Singapore, the seventh of nine children. Suhaimi's mother, Fatimah Yusof, was a homemaker and his father, Yusof Bujang, was a technician. The family moved to Hougang when Suhaimi was sixteen. Suhaimi was initially shy by nature, but soon realised his potential as an actor in secondary school, when his teacher selected him to perform a skit for a Teachers' Day concert. Initially panicking, he finally came up with a character named "Montfort Jackson", a spoof of American recording artist Michael Jackson, and received many laughs from his peers during his performance.

Radio and television

At an inter-school Malay debate competition, Suhaimi greatly impressed Zakiah Halim, a Malay radio veteran, with his performance. Following that, Halim offered Suhaimi a part-time job as a host on the radio programme Majalah Remaja, which was aimed at teens. After his studies and the completion of his compulsory national service, Suhaimi joined the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation as a full-time radio presenter, and soon he was hosting the morning radio show. Thereafter, SBC's television department offered him his first onscreen gig, co-hosting Potret Keluarga, a weekly family programme. Shortly after, he received another hosting job, this time on Hiburan Minggu Ini, an entertainment programme. Suhaimi was offered the role of maintenance guy Sulaiman Yusof in the sitcom Living with Lydia, starring alongside Hong Kong comedian Lydia Shum Din-Ha. He accepted the job, and his character proved a hit with viewers of the sitcom. It would be Suhaimi's first role in English television.
In 2001, Suhaimi quit radio to focus more on television. At that point, he had already become an assistant programme director on Malay radio station Warna 94.2FM. He has acted in many Mediacorp Channel 5 sitcoms, notably as Sgt Dollah Abu Bakar in Police & Thief and "mat rock" reporter Jojo Joget in The Noose.
Suhaimi is currently directing and producing an untitled 15-episode comedy series for Astro and has also landed his first role on the big screen as a murder suspect in the upcoming Malay suspense film Psycho.

Businessman

Suhaimi and his wife run an events management and production house called Q & Que, where Suhaimi is creative director. Suhaimi also produces VCDs and DVDs of his comedy performances distributed by Life Records. The first product, entitled Keramat Bernisan, was a live recording and was released in 2004. 25,000 copies were sold in Singapore within three weeks. Subsequently, he produced a series of successful Comedy DVD series, most notably the "Takleh Angkat" series that became an iconic comedy favourite for the local Malay Community as well as abroad. More than 150,000 official copies of Suhaimi's VCDs and DVDs have been sold.

Other appearances

As part of the MTL Fortnight, initiated by the Singapore Ministry of Education, Suhaimi was invited by the Malay Department of Pei Tong Primary School to give a motivational talk for parents on how to motivate their children.

Education

Suhaimi spent four years at Montfort Secondary School. After obtaining his 'O' levels, he attended Tampines Junior College.

Influences

Suhaimi's comedy is rooted in stand-up. He counts American comedians such as Bill Cosby, Robin Williams, Will Smith and David Letterman as influences.

Controversy

In early 2012, Suhaimi made a controversial move by writing an open letter on his Facebook Wall criticising Mediacorp Suria for not showing enough appreciation for local talents, and called on other Malay Singaporean actors to seek a better future in Malaysia instead. This caused a stir on the local Malay entertainment scene. Suhaimi later explained that it was "constructive criticism" and it "wasn't a personal attack on anyone in Suria".

Personal life

Suhaimi is married to Siti Yuhana Sulaiman and they have three children, Sufi, Nurjannah and Amirul.

Honours and awards

Since 2001, Suhaimi received four trophies for The Most Popular Personality Award, four trophies for The Best Host Awards, a trophy for The Best Actor in a Comedic Role Award and a trophy for The Best TV Opening Graphic Award as an Editor in The Singapore Mediacorp Malay TV Award Event, Pesta Perdana.
Suhaimi received the Best Comedy Performance award by an Actor at the 2011 Asian Television Awards for his efforts in The Noose.
He took fourth position in the reality comedy television series Maharaja Lawak Mega.

Filmography

;Television Telemovie Drama
YearWorkRoleNotes
2001–2005Living with LydiaSulaiman YusofRecurring Role; his first role in English television
2004–2010Police & ThiefSgt Dollah Abu Bakar
2005Keramat Bernisan TigaVCD
2006–2007Phua Chu Kang Pte LtdSgt Dollah Abu BakarAppears as a cameo in only two episodes
2008–2016The NooseMultiple Characters
2007Kekek SeyVCD
2007Gerek SeyVCD
2007Kecoh Kecoh Nak RayaSensasi
2007Takleh Angkat Beb!Sensasi
2008Cosmo & GeorgeBlack HoleOkto
2008Takleh Angkat Kelakar Rebak!Sensasi
2008Sentel PowerSensasi
2008Muzik Video Kelaka RayaVCD
2008Kecoh Kecoh RayaSensasi
2010Anything Goes
2011Zero HeroDisgustoOkto
2011–2012Maharaja Lawak MegaHimselfAstro Warna
2012-2013Super SpontanHimselfAstro Warna
2014R&DSuria
2017-2018Life Less OrdinaryRashid Bin MohamedChannel 8
2018Say Cheese!KamilChannel 8

;Film
YearWorkRoleNotes
2007Just Follow LawBamboo
2011The Ghosts Must Be Crazy
2013Judgement Day
2013Psiko: Pencuri Hati Pak AbuHis first non-comedic role, and also his first major movie starring role
2016Long Long Time AgoOsman

;Shows Hosted
YearWorkNotes
2012Sasuke Singaporeas Co-Host
2013Our Makan Places: Lost & Found 4Guest
2013School Days 1 & 2Host and actor of younger version of male guests