Andrew Seow, the familiar face from the popular Channel 5 drama “Growing Up,” has taken on a new role. He is now working as an auxiliary police officer with the security company Aetos. Many remember Seow best for his portrayal of the rebellious older son, Gary, in the period drama that ran from 1996 to 2001.
His new career path came to light through a video shared on Instagram on July 2 by local content creator Zaki Hussain. In the video, Zaki asked Seow about his decision to enter the security sector. Seow shared a personal connection, explaining that his father had been an auxiliary police officer “back in the British days” and had encouraged him to “do something meaningful.” The 55-year-old former actor fondly remembered his father’s enthusiasm, recalling how his dad even drove him from Marine Parade to Jurong for his interview at the Aetos headquarters.
During the conversation, a common question for former actors came up: did he miss acting? Seow’s response was simple and heartfelt: he “missed his fans.” To delight viewers and pay tribute to his most famous role, Zaki and Seow even re-enacted a scene from “Growing Up.” In this special moment, Seow stepped back into the shoes of Gary, while Zaki played the part of Gary’s father, Mr. Tay, a character originally brought to life by veteran actor Lim Kay Tong.
“Growing Up” was a family drama that followed the lives of the Tay family through Singapore’s history, spanning the 1960s to the 1980s. Seow’s performance as Gary was notable, earning him the Best Newcomer award at the Asian Television Awards in 1996. He was a consistent presence throughout the entire six seasons of the show before he left Mediacorp in 2007. The series featured other well-known actors, including Wee Soon Hui as Mrs. Tay, Irin Gan as Vicky, and Steven Lim as David. The character of the youngest sibling, Tammy, was played by several actresses over the years, starting with Fann Woon Jing and Quek Sue-shan, and later Jamie Yeo.
Seow has often spoken warmly about his connection to the character that made him a household name. In a 2015 report in The Straits Times, he shared his deep affection for the role, stating, “Gary is very close to my heart. I feel that everyone has a Gary in them… I guess that’s why people can relate to the role.” This new chapter as an auxiliary police officer marks a significant change for the beloved actor, moving from the world of entertainment to public service.
