1. Overview
Hung Sheng-te (born September 29, 1965), professionally known as Honduras (洪都拉斯HóngdūlāsīChinese), is a prominent Taiwanese actor, television host, and comedian. He is widely recognized for his versatile acting skills, particularly his talent for impressions, and his significant contributions to Taiwanese variety shows and sketch comedy. Honduras has established himself as a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, known for his ability to connect with audiences through humor and relatable characters. His career spans several decades, marked by a journey from behind-the-scenes work to becoming a celebrated on-screen personality, reflecting a dedication to his craft and a strong connection to the popular culture of Taiwan.
2. Early Life
Hung Sheng-te's early life was marked by his education and a variety of occupations before he found his calling in the entertainment industry.
2.1. Birth and Family Background
Hung Sheng-te was born on September 29, 1965, in Taishan, then part of Taipei County in Taiwan, Republic of China. He later married in 1996 and has two children, a son and a daughter.
2.2. Education and Military Service
He attended San-Chung High School. Following his graduation and completion of mandatory military service, Hung Sheng-te began his professional life outside of the entertainment world.
2.3. Pre-Entertainment Career
After his military service, Hung Sheng-te worked briefly at Nan Ya Plastics Corporation. Despite this initial corporate experience, he pursued a diverse range of jobs, including working as a taxi driver, mail carrier, milkman, gas delivery person, mover, shopkeeper, furniture salesman, and truck driver. These varied experiences provided him with a broad understanding of different walks of life, which would later inform his comedic and acting performances.
3. Career
Honduras's career in entertainment began in the late 1980s, evolving through various roles and challenges before he achieved widespread recognition.
3.1. Entry into Entertainment and Early Struggles
Hung Sheng-te entered the entertainment industry in 1987. His initial role was behind the scenes, working on costumes and props for the CTS variety show Lien Huan Pao (also known as "Barrage"). Within a year of joining the show, he began to take on minor acting roles, showcasing his burgeoning talent. However, in 1991, he decided to leave the show after failing to secure a more substantial acting contract, leading to a period away from the spotlight.
3.2. Return to Entertainment and Rise to Prominence
After his departure from the entertainment industry, Hung Sheng-te worked a variety of jobs to make ends meet. A pivotal moment in his career came through a chance meeting with veteran actor Peng Chia Chia, who offered him an opportunity to return to entertainment as his chauffeur and assistant. This connection proved instrumental in his comeback. In 1998, he joined actor Hsu Hsiao-shun's acting troupe, known as Rock Family.
His return to the screen saw him performing in skits for the SET Taiwan variety show Golden Night Show. It was during this period that he began to develop his talent for impressions of various celebrities. This skill led him to earn a spot on the CTi TV political sketch show Everybody Speaks Nonsenses. On this show, he gradually gained significant recognition for his diverse characters and impressions, which resonated strongly with the audience. Being proficient in Taiwanese, he was frequently invited as a guest on popular talk shows such as Kangsi Coming and 100% Entertainment to discuss topics related to Taiwanese culture.
3.3. Origin of Stage Name "Honduras"
The stage name "Honduras" (洪都拉斯) was suggested by Hsu Hsiao-shun when Hung Sheng-te joined his acting troupe in 1998. Hsu Hsiao-shun noted that Hung Sheng-te's given name, Hung (洪), combined with the sound of "Tu La Ssu" (都拉斯), sounded phonetically similar to the Central American country Honduras. This unique and memorable stage name has since become synonymous with his public persona.
4. Major Activities and Achievements
Honduras has built a multifaceted career, excelling as a television host, a prolific actor in both television and film, and a celebrated comedian known for his impressions.
4.1. Television Hosting
Honduras has hosted numerous variety shows across various Taiwanese television channels, showcasing his charisma and comedic timing. His hosting roles have been a significant part of his career, contributing to the popularity of many programs.
| Channel | Title |
|---|---|
| CTV | Jacky Go Go Go |
| CTV | Super Impressions |
| CTV | Variety Big Brother |
| CTS | Barrage |
| CTS | CTS Night Club |
| SET Taiwan | Golden Night Show |
| GTV | Master Showdown |
| CTi Variety | 2100 Everybody Speaks Nonsenses |
| CTi Entertainment | Everybody Speaks Nonsenses II - Hot Pot |
| CTi Entertainment | Lying Battle |
| CTi Entertainment | Celebrity Imitated Show |
| CTi Entertainment | Ah Hong's Hour |
| CTi Entertainment | Crazy Hot Pot |
| Star Chinese Channel | Crazy Show |
| Videoland ONTV | Rookie Boss To Work |
| Hakka TV | Local Heroes or Village Idiots? |
4.2. Acting Career
Honduras has demonstrated his versatility as an actor across various media, including television series, films, and music videos.
4.2.1. Television Series
His television acting career includes a wide range of roles in dramas and comedies.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Double Happiness | A-yen |
| 2000 | A Traditional Story of Taiwan: Guren Water Lantern | Tsai Shui-sheng |
| 2000 | Thirteen birds to Peter and Aunt | Police officer |
| 2000 | Legend of Nine Dragons | Master A-huo |
| 2000 | A Traditional Story of Taiwan: Beauty 18 Times | Wu Chiu |
| 2003 | Just Love | Lin Wang |
| 2003 | Love Tornado | Host |
| 2008 | Crabfeet | Lin Wen-po |
| 2008 | Morning Glory Days | Li Kuo-hui |
| 2008 | Mysterious Incredible Terminator | Tao Ying Ming |
| 2009 | Most Beloved | Li Wang-lung |
| 2009 | Bling Days | Li Jui-huang |
| 2009 | Momo Love | Tao Hua's father |
| 2010 | Love Buffet | Professor Yeh |
| 2011 | Three Runaways | Wu Fa-ta |
| 2011 | Boy and Girl | Hei Chih-hsiung |
| 2012 | Loves In Penghu | A-hung |
| 2012 | The Late Night Stop | Li Yao-hsing |
| 2014 | High Heels And A Scalpel | Li Hsin-i |
| 2014 | PMAM - Invesigators | Vivi's father |
| 2015 | For Better or For Worse | Chen Teng |
| 2016 | Miss In Kiss | Hsiang Tung-liu |
| 2016 | A-Kuan | Huang Ching-jung |
| 2016 | Stand By Me | Yang Yai-sheng |
| 2017 | Midnight Diner | Owner |
| 2017 | Jojo's World | Chef Ah Wen |
| 2019 | The Love Story in Banana Orchard | Kei Chang-yuan |
| 2019 | The World Between Us | Liao Niu Shih |
| 2019 | Best Interest | Meng-po |
| 2019 | Ah-Chin | Ah-Chin (older) |
| 2020 | The Victims' Game | Sun Yung-chen |
| 2020 | You go! Girls! | Chu Cheng-wei |
| 2021 | Golden Years | Hsu Chin-ta |
| 2021 | The Making of an Ordinary Woman 2 | Yung Po |
| 2021 | Gold Leaf | Wan Shui-lai |
| 2021 | Moonlit Prodigal Horse | Father |
| 2022 | Small and Mighty | Liu Chih-kuang |
| 2022 | No Regrets In Life | Yu Chien-kuan |
| 2022 | Mom, Don't Do That! | Editor-in-chief |
| 2022 | The Amazing Grace of Σ | Glasses |
| 2022 | My Tooth Your Love | Chin's father |
| 2022 | Oh Marriage | Wu Te-chao |
| 2023 | What the Hell Is Love | Lin Fu-chuan |
| 2023 | Dark Tide - Unethical Secret | Li-wei's father |
| 2024 | Let's Talk About CHU | Chiu Cheng-nan |
| 2024 | Taiwanese Opera Family | Incense Leader |
| 2024 | U Motherbaker2 | Chen I-lang |
| 2024 | I Can See You Shine | Yeh's father |
4.2.2. Film
Honduras has also appeared in several films, including notable voice acting roles.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Ice Age: The Meltdown | Fast Tony (Mandarin voice) |
| 2012 | Viva Baseball | Po-tzu |
| 2015 | OPEN! OPEN! | A-hung |
| 2015 | Maverick | 8th Precinct Chief |
| 2016 | Betelnut Girls | Betelnut Stand Owner |
| 2016 | At Cafe 6 | Hsiao's father |
| 2020 | Your Name Engraved Herein | Military Teacher |
| 2020 | Little Big Women | Lin's youngest brother |
| 2021 | Till We Meet Again | Horse-Face |
| 2021 | Terrorizers | Chen Hung-hui |
| 2023 | Miss Shampoo | Boss North |
4.2.3. Music Video Appearances
Honduras has also made appearances in music videos.
| Year | Artist | Song Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Karen Mok | Growing Fond of You |
4.3. Impressions and Comedy
Honduras is particularly renowned for his exceptional talent in impressions, which played a crucial role in his rise to fame. His ability to mimic various celebrities and create distinct, memorable characters was a highlight of his performances on shows like Everybody Speaks Nonsenses. He contributed significantly to the sketch comedy genre in Taiwanese television, often incorporating his impressions into comedic skits that resonated widely with the public.
5. Personal Life
Beyond his professional endeavors, Honduras maintains a private personal life.
5.1. Marriage and Family
Honduras married in 1996. He is a father to two children, a son and a daughter.
6. Legacy and Impact
Honduras has left a significant mark on the Taiwanese entertainment industry, particularly through his comedic prowess and versatile performances.
6.1. Public and Media Reception
Honduras has been well-received by both the public and media throughout his career. His ability to embody various characters and perform convincing impressions on shows like Everybody Speaks Nonsenses earned him widespread recognition and popularity. His proficiency in Taiwanese Hokkien further endeared him to audiences, making him a frequent and sought-after guest on talk shows focused on Taiwanese topics. His comedic timing and relatable persona have contributed to his enduring appeal.
6.2. Cultural Impact on Taiwanese Entertainment
Honduras has had a notable cultural impact on Taiwanese popular culture, especially in the fields of comedy and television hosting. His work on prominent variety and sketch comedy shows helped define a generation of entertainment, influencing comedic styles and popularizing character-driven performances. As a versatile actor and host, he has contributed to the diversity and richness of Taiwanese television, leaving a legacy as a respected and influential figure in the industry.