Taipei, July 24 (CNA) Taiwanese comedian Tony Fish's ashes arrived at Taoyuan International Airport Tuesday ahead of a memorial service expected the following week for the entertainer whose showbiz talent was often overshadowed by drug abuse.

Fish, known locally by his nickname "Da Bing," contracted pneumonia and died of multiple organ failure at Peking Union Medical College Hospital July 20, according to his younger brother Hsiao Bing, who brought his brother's ashes back to Taiwan.

A memorial service is scheduled to be held on July 30 in Taipei, said Hsiao Bing.

Fish, 37, rose from impersonating politicians such as former Premier Frank Hsieh and female celebrities such as the late Grammy Award-winning singer Whitney Houston.

He had a small role in the 2005 Hollywood movie titled "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo," starring Rob Schneider.

The comedian had struggled with drug addiction and took a leave of absence from showbiz in Taiwan in March 2011 after being arrested for using drugs for the fourth time.

Hsieh expressed sorrow over the death of Fish, saying that he brought happiness to his audience but failed to solve his own pain.

(By Sophia Yeh, Bien Chen-feng, Hanna Liu)
ENDITEM/J