Desmond Tan (born 19 August 1986) is a Singaporean actor. He won the Star Awards for Best Actor twice in 2018 and 2026 for his role in When Duty Calls and Devil Behind The Gate respectively. He had also won the Star Awards for Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes ten times.
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Education
Tan was educated at Pioneer Secondary School and Jurong Junior College. After participating in Star Search 2007, he juggled acting commitments with studies at the National University of Singapore. He studied real estate and graduated with an honours degree in 2011.
Career
In 2007, Tan participated in Star Search 2007, a Mediacorp's reality talent search show, and was runner-up in the show. He was awarded a contract with Mediacorp and began his part time acting career with some minor roles in various Channel 8 dramas.
After almost five years in the industry, Tan won his first award, the Rocket Award, at the 2012 Star Awards for the biggest breakthrough after a critically acclaimed performance as rickshaw driver Luo Xiaoxiao in the anniversary drama A Song to Remember.
In 2018, he starred as the fictional serial killer Derek Ho in Code of Law. Tan later won Best Actor at the Star Awards for his role as Loke Junguang in When Duty Calls, a military television series sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs.
Tan had won ten Star Awards for Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
During the Star Awards 2026, Tan won his second Best Actor award for Devil Behind The Gate and his tenth Most Popular Male Artiste award. He also won the BYD Favourite Male Character Award for the same role.
Personal life
Tan completed his national service in the 1st Commando Battalion with the rank of Captain.
On 7 December 2021, Tan married his university sweetheart at a ceremony held in France. On 4 October 2023, Desmond announced on social media that his wife was pregnant. Their daughter was born on 5 March 2024. On 3 April 2025, Tan announced via Instagram that his wife is pregnant with their second child, a boy.
