Actor Godfrey Gao dies at 35 after collapsing while filming variety show

Godfrey Gao, who was 35 year old, a Taiwanese-Canadian model and actor has died after he collapsed while filming a variety show in China.

His agency, JetStar Entertainment, confirmed his death on Wednesday, saying he was rushed to a hospital, where he died after nearly three hours.

"We are shocked and saddened" by the incident, JetStar said, adding that representatives were "always directly by his side, whilst his family is rushing to the scene."

The company thanked "friends in the media and everyone who supported Godfrey" for their thoughts, and asked for his family to be left alone to mourn.

According to Chinese media reports, he had been filming Chase Me - a night-time variety series by Zhejiang Television which focuses on physical tasks for its contestants.

He reportedly collapsed at around 2am on Wednesday morning (Nov 27), midway through filming.

It was also reported that he was on set with other celebrities including Hong Kong actor William Chan and boy band Fahrenheit member Calvin Chen.

Gao who first began as a fashion model became the first Asian man to model for fashion brand Louis Vuitton and starred alongside Lena Headey and Lily Collins in the 2013 film "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones."