Who Is Richie Koh?
Richie Koh is a Singaporean actor known for his work in Mandarin television dramas and local films. Born on June 16, 1993, in Singapore, he entered the entertainment industry after appearing on the talent-search program Hey Gorgeous in 2013. He finished as the season’s runner-up and later developed his acting career with Mediacorp. Richie made his television acting debut in When Duty Calls in 2017. Since then, he has appeared in numerous television series and films, gaining recognition for emotionally demanding roles. His performance in Your World In Mine became a major milestone and brought him the Star Awards Best Actor prize.
Before becoming a professional actor, Richie Koh studied at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and completed a Diploma in Financial Informatics. His path into entertainment was therefore not a traditional acting-school journey. After completing National Service, he returned to pursue acting professionally. Over time, he worked across television, film, hosting, and other entertainment projects. His career includes both English and Mandarin productions, reflecting Singapore’s multilingual entertainment industry. Today, Richie is recognized for choosing challenging characters that require careful preparation and emotional depth. His work continues to attract attention through television dramas, feature films, and newer projects listed in his professional portfolio.
Who is Richie Koh?A brief biography
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richie Koh |
| Chinese Name | 许瑞奇 (Xu Ruiqi) |
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1993 |
| Age | 33 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Singapore |
| Nationality | Singaporean |
| Profession | Actor |
| Years Active | 2017–present |
| Education | Ngee Ann Polytechnic |
| Qualification | Diploma in Financial Informatics |
| Height | 170 cm |
| Languages | English, Mandarin |
| Talent Agency | Mediacorp / The Celebrity Agency |
| Known For | Your World in Mine, When Duty Calls, The Diam Diam Era |
| Breakthrough Role | Zheng Tian Cai in Your World in Mine |
| Notable Award | Star Awards Best Actor, 2023 |
| Other Notable Films | Wonderful! Liang Xi Mei, 23:59 II: The Haunting Hour, A Good Child |
| Talent Show | Hey Gorgeous (2013), first runner-up |
| Acting Debut | When Duty Calls (2017) |
| Chinese Zodiac | Rooster |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
Richie Koh Age and Birthday
Richie Koh was born on June 16, 1993, in Singapore. Based on that birth date, he is 33 years old in September 2026. His birthday is frequently included in entertainment biographies and professional profiles. Richie grew up in Singapore and later studied at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, where he completed a Diploma in Financial Informatics. Although his education was connected to finance and technology, his career eventually moved toward television and film acting. His journey shows how a talent-search opportunity can open a different professional path. His discovery through Hey Gorgeous became an important early step toward his entertainment career.
Richie Koh’s age is often searched alongside his television roles because many viewers discovered him through different stages of his career. He entered the industry in his twenties and gradually took on more demanding characters. His earlier work included supporting roles, while later productions gave him increasingly prominent parts. By the time he appeared in Your World In Mine, he had already built several years of acting experience. That background helped him approach a challenging lead role with greater confidence. Readers interested in his career can also explore related Singapore celebrity biographies and Singapore entertainment news for more information about local performers. Read more : Tian Xi Wei
How Richie Koh Started His Career
Richie Koh was discovered through Hey Gorgeous, a Channel U campus talent-search program, in 2013. He finished as the runner-up, which helped introduce him to the entertainment industry. However, he did not immediately become a full-time actor. He completed his studies at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and subsequently fulfilled National Service. After that period, he returned to pursue professional acting. This route gave him time to develop before making his television debut. His first acting role came in the 2017 military-themed drama When Duty Calls, where he played Lu Xianfeng.
His early television appearances helped establish Richie Koh as an emerging Singaporean actor. In 2018, he appeared in productions including 118 Reunion and Divided. These projects contributed to his first Star Awards Best Newcomer nomination. His early work also showed that he could perform in different television formats and character types. Rather than becoming known through one single genre, Richie gradually expanded his experience across local dramas. His professional development continued through television roles, feature films, and other entertainment opportunities. This steady progression later prepared him for the more demanding performances that became central to his reputation.
Richie Koh in Your World In Mine
One of Richie Koh’s most important roles came in the 2022 Mediacorp drama Your World In Mine. He played Zheng Tian Cai, a 21-year-old character with an intellectual disability and the intellectual age of a seven-year-old. The role required Richie to carefully consider mannerisms, expressions, speech, and emotional responses. The series explored family relationships and the challenges faced by a household caring for a family member with a disability. His performance received widespread attention and became a major turning point in his career.
Richie has explained that he approached the character with considerable preparation because he wanted the portrayal to feel authentic. His performance eventually earned him the Star Awards 2023 Best Actor award. Mediacorp describes the win as making him the youngest recipient of the prize in 26 years. He also received the Most Popular Rising Star and MyPick! The Male Show Stealer awards that year. The role therefore became significant not only for his personal career but also for the wider discussion surrounding representation and family experiences in Singapore television.
Richie Koh’s Movies and Film Career
Richie Koh has also built a film career alongside his television work. His early movie credits included Wonderful! Liang Xi Mei in 2018, where he played a gangster leader. He later appeared in 23:59 II The Haunting Hour and The Diam Diam Era films. His film roles allowed him to explore characters outside the regular television-drama format. Mediacorp’s professional profile notes that his performance in Wonderful! Liang Xi Mei received praise from Singaporean director Jack Neo and attention from audiences in Singapore and Malaysia.
His movie work expanded further with A Good Child, a film that placed Richie in a particularly demanding role. He plays a drag queen who returns home to care for his mother after she develops dementia. The story explores family, memory, identity, and unresolved childhood experiences. Richie underwent a significant physical and performance transformation for the role. His work in the film earned him a nomination for Best Leading Actor at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards in 2025. The nomination marked another important step in his development as a film performer.
Richie Koh and A Good Child
A Good Child became one of the most discussed projects in Richie Koh’s recent career. In the film, he portrays Ah Hao, a drag queen who returns home when his mother is living with dementia. He attempts to convince her that he is her daughter rather than her son, creating an unusual family situation that gradually brings difficult memories to the surface. The film gave Richie a character requiring significant changes in appearance, movement, voice, and behavior. He described the role as one of the most difficult performances he had undertaken.
The film also demonstrated Richie’s willingness to explore characters outside his personal experience. In interviews, he discussed researching the queer community and studying physical details such as body language, speech, gestures, and character mentality. The preparation was demanding, but he viewed the challenge as an opportunity to develop his acting skills. A Good Child premiered in Singapore cinemas in October 2025. His performance subsequently received a Golden Horse Best Leading Actor nomination, giving his film career an important international awards connection.
Richie Koh Awards and Recognition
Richie Koh’s career includes several notable awards and nominations. His first major recognition came with a Best Newcomer nomination at the Star Awards in 2018. He later achieved a major breakthrough at the Star Awards 2023, winning Best Actor for Your World In Mine. He also received the Most Popular Rising Star and MyPick! The Male Show Stealer awards at the same ceremony. These recognitions followed his critically noticed performance as Zheng Tian Cai.
His recognition continued into film with A Good Child. In 2025, Richie received a nomination for Best Leading Actor at the Golden Horse Awards for his performance as Ah Hao. The nomination placed him among actors recognized by one of the region’s major film award events. His professional profile also lists the 2024 Bioskin Most Charismatic Award and later popularity-related recognition. These milestones show how his career has expanded from television newcomer to an actor working across major Singaporean screen productions.
Richie Koh’s Latest Projects
Richie Koh has continued appearing in new productions in 2026. Mediacorp’s current professional portfolio lists The Grind as a 2026 television project, with Richie playing Jiang Wen Kai. The same portfolio also lists Luck My Life as a 2026 movie, where he plays Tian Cai. These projects add to his growing screen credits and demonstrate continued activity in both television and film.
His professional portfolio also lists upcoming projects such as Dissecting Truths, scheduled for 2027, with Richie playing Li You Nan. Other recent credits include The Spirit Hunter, Another Wok of Life, Coded Love, and Till The End. Because entertainment schedules can change, future release information should be checked against official announcements. For readers following his work, a Singapore drama guide can provide useful context about his television roles and the wider local entertainment industry.
Richie Koh’s Acting Style and Career Growth
Richie Koh has spoken about wanting to portray characters who feel authentic and familiar to Singaporean audiences. In a Vogue Singapore interview, he explained that observing ordinary people helped influence his approach to acting. He became more interested in characters with recognizable lifestyles, voices, and habits. This approach can be seen in roles such as Tian Cai and his character in A Good Child. Both required him to study behavior carefully rather than simply relying on appearance.
His career also shows a willingness to accept roles that require substantial preparation. From military drama and family stories to disability representation and a drag queen character, Richie has taken on very different acting challenges. He has also expressed interest in exploring action roles and characters from backgrounds different from his own. This variety suggests that his professional focus remains connected to learning and experimentation. Readers interested in his development can follow new casting announcements and official production updates as more projects are released.
Richie Koh Personal Life and Public Profile
Richie Koh generally keeps his personal life less prominent than his acting career. In February 2024, fellow actress Hayley Woo publicly confirmed that the two were dating. Their relationship became part of entertainment coverage, but much of Richie’s public profile continues to focus on his professional work. As with other celebrities, personal information should be considered carefully when it comes from interviews or direct public statements rather than rumors.
His public image has increasingly been shaped by his acting achievements. Interviews often focus on his preparation, career development, and experiences with challenging roles. He has also discussed wanting to remain grounded and concentrate on the work in front of him. This professional focus has accompanied his transition from a young talent-search contestant to an established Singaporean screen actor. His television and film credits provide the clearest way to understand his career and continuing contribution to local entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Richie Koh?
Richie Koh is a Singaporean actor known for television dramas and films.
How old is Richie Koh?
Richie Koh was born June 16, 1993, making him 33 in September 2026.
What is Richie Koh famous for?
He is especially known for Your World In Mine and A Good Child.
Did Richie Koh win Best Actor?
Yes, he won Best Actor at the Star Awards 2023 for Your World In Mine.
What is Richie Koh’s latest project?
His 2026 credits include The Grind and Luck My Life.
Conclusion
Richie Koh has developed a notable career across Singaporean television and film. After being discovered on Hey Gorgeous in 2013, he moved into professional acting and made his television debut in When Duty Calls in 2017. His breakthrough came with Your World In Mine, followed by major recognition at the Star Awards. His performance in A Good Child later earned a Golden Horse Best Leading Actor nomination.
Today, Richie continues working across television and movies, with several recent and upcoming projects listed by Mediacorp. His career reflects a growing interest in challenging and varied characters. Readers can explore his drama filmography and follow Singapore entertainment news for future projects, release dates, and career updates.
