90s S'porean actor Andrew Seow, 55, now an auxiliary police officer

Did you enjoy watching "Growing Up" on the small screen from 1996 to 2001?

Do you remember the character Gary Tay?

The "pai kia" ("rebellious") one?

Former Mediacorp actor Andrew Seow, 55, who played that role, is now serving as an auxiliary police officer with Aetos Security Management.

Career transition

Seow, a former model, was talent spotted in his mid-20s by a producer of Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS), the predecessor of Mediacorp.

When he first broke onto the scene, he and four other artistes formed the boy group "The Dragons Five", which was also the title of the Channel 8 series.

Seow's role as Gary Tay in the long-running drama series "Growing Up" on Channel 5 earned him the Best Newcomer in the annual Asian Television Awards in 1996.

Seow subsequently starred in numerous Chinese language dramas on Channel 8, garnering nominations in the annual Star Awards.

In the 2004 Star Awards, Seow won Best Supporting Actor for drama series, "Man at Forty".

Left showbiz

Seow left showbiz following his last TV role in 2006.

In 2010, he became a curator with a gallery.

His transition into the auxiliary police officer role came naturally.

He said he felt the call to do something more meaningful.

Prior to joining the industry, he was a caregiver to his parents.

In April 2024, he joined the security industry through Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programme (CCP).

His career transition into the security industry saw him undergo training to handle firearms and acquire first responder skills.

But it was not a shocking move.

“My dad was an APO too," Seow revealed.

"This just felt right.”

Top photos via Aetos & Mediacorp