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Actor and model Godfrey Gao dies at 35 after apparent heart attack in China

FASHION-VICTORIA'S SECRET-ARRIVAL
Canadian actor Godfrey Gao poses on the "Pink Carpet" ahead of the start of the 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai, November 20, 2017. CHANDAN KHANNA/Getty

Hong Kong — Taiwanese-Canadian model-actor Godfrey Gao has died after suffering an apparent heart attack while on set in China. Gao was filming a sports reality show in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo on Wednesday when he died.

His agency, JetStar Entertainment, confirmed his death via its official page on Weibo, a Twitter-like Chinese social media platform. 

JetStar said the 35-year-old was filming "Chase Me," a Chinese variety series, when he "suddenly fainted" while running. The post said he died in a hospital after three hours of efforts to revive him. 

The Taiwan-born Gao initially rose to fame by becoming the first Asian male model for the luxury brand Louis Vuitton. He acted in numerous television dramas and movies, including a role in the Hollywood film "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones."

His body will be transported Wednesday to Taipei, Taiwan's capital.

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