Gao Xiumin, one of the most popular comedians on television in China, has died of a sudden heart attack in her home in Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin Province.

She was 46.

Her death on Thursday is considered a great loss for the bourgeoning entertainment and television show business in the country.

Jiang Kun, an eminent comedian, said in Beijing that Gao was an excellent comedian.

Born in Fuyu County in Jilin Province, Gao entered a local folk art troupe in 1982 as an actress. Ten years later, she resigned and worked as an independent actress until her death.

Gao won national renown with her vivid portrayals of middle-aged rural women or urban workers in short drama skits in TV variety shows, especially in the Spring Festival Show, one of the most popular programmes broadcast live over China Central Television, the national TV network. She has not missed a show since 1983.

Gao also played in TV dramas. Ding Xiang, a kind and straightforward middle-aged rural woman she played in "Liu Laogen," a popular comedy on the rural life of Northeast China, won great applause among the TV viewers.

Together with Zhao Benshan, director of "Liu Laogen" and one of the most famous comedians in China, and Fan Wei, another skit star, Gao was considered part of "the iron triangle" in skits creation. She also worked as producer in a TV drama starring her and her husband He Qingkui, a playwright who wrote many popular skits.

A ceremony in memory of Gao is scheduled at 8:00 am on August 20 in Changchun.

(China Daily August 20, 2005)