Dennis Chua looks at the rise of popular actor and TV host Datuk AC Mizal
HE has been a tough cop, a TV host, and a no-holds-barred judge in comedy contests. However, Datuk Mizal Zaini, better known as AC Mizal, began his showbiz career as a boyband leader in the early 1990s.
Back then, he was the lead vocalist of hip-hop group 4U2C which had a major hit with the song Fiona written by band member Johari Mohamad Noor or Joe (and named after his cat).
Recalling the band’s history, Johor-born AC said he co-founded 4U2C with Azam Mohamad and Joe in 1992.
“We were originally three but expanded to seven when Adik (Fazril Harun), Lan (Razlan Ramdan), Yanz (Suffian Muda) and Rin (Raja Azrin Raja Zaini) became members,” he said, adding that they were among the earliest hip-hop groups in Malaysia, apart from KRU.
The group won Popular Group / Duo at the Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 1993. It released four albums but broke up in 1996.
After the group disbanded, AC pursued an acting career. Mentored by filmmaker Datuk Yusof Haslam, he starred as no-nonsense Inspektor Mazlan in the hit police series Gerak Khas.
AC, who turns 46 on Dec 21, became a TV host and helmed the entertainment talk show AC Di Sini on Astro Ria.
From 2008 to 2009, AC became the host of Astro Ria’s hugely popular reality talent show, Akademi Fantasia, succeeding the award-winning Datuk Aznil Nawawi.
AC also judged comedy challenges such as Raja Lawak, Maharaja Lawak and Maharaja Lawak Mega on Astro Ria.
On the big screen, AC has starred in Bara, Pasrah, Buli, Buli Balik, Baik Punya Cilok, Zombi Kampung Pisang, Cuci The Movie, Cicak Man, Cicak Man 2 and My Spy, among others. He also ventured into theatre in Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical in 2005 and 2009, and Cuci The Musical in 2009.
Awarded a Datukship by Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang in 2009, AC has also released an album Tassamaqu (2004), and singles Apo Kono Eh Jang (2012), Al-Haq (2013), and Paranoid (2014).
Among the awards AC has won are Popular Male TV Host in Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2014, and Popular Host in Anugerah MeleTop Era 2015 and 2016.
In 2015, AC established online radio station Peace Yall FM with his wife Datin Emylia Rosnaida. His next business move is to set up a private TV station.