Lim Pik-Sen, a talented actress born in Penang, Malaysia, who gained fame for her role in the British sitcom Mind Your Language, passed away on June 9 at the age of 80. She was born in 1944 to businessman Lim Cheng-Teik and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 17 to pursue her passion for acting.

Originally named Lim Phaik-Seng, she changed her name to “Pik-Sen” due to pronunciation issues with her British friends. In Mind Your Language, which aired from 1977 to 1986, she portrayed the character of Chinese student Chung Su-Lee, speaking broken English with a Chinese accent despite being fluent in the language.

Her portrayal of a devoted follower of Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong in the sitcom, often quoting verses on communism from her “little red book,” added a humorous touch to her character. In addition to Mind Your Language, Lim appeared in over 30 other films, dramas, and TV series from 1964 to 2023, including popular shows like Dr Who, General Hospital, and The Professionals.

In recent years, she was seen in TV and drama series such as Vampire Academy, The Nevers, and This Way Up. Lim also had a memorable role as the “killer cleaner” in the 2011 movie Johnny English Reborn, sharing the screen with actors Rowan Atkinson, Gillian Anderson, and Dominic West.

Lim Pik-Sen’s contributions to the entertainment industry will always be remembered, and her diverse roles showcased her talent and versatility as an actress.