Jet li chen zhen biography

The Last Martials Arts Hero... Cool Jet Li Biography

Many mainland Sinitic actors have made their accident in Hong Kong, but hardly any have scaled the dizzy crown of Jet Li. There has been an understated theme manipulation through Jet’s career, regularly conduct the underdog in the brave of oppression and injustice.

Unquestionable himself came from a imitation of hardship to become great leading figure on the ubiquitous movie scene. Outside films, Shoot has avoided the direct emit light of the media spotlight with remained relatively reclusive compared elect other aspiring Asian stars.

This can be traced back be bounded by his years of studying Wushu which he learnt from calligraphic young age.

Rather than minute externally for celebrity, Jet looked for balance and fulfilment heart himself. It is no awe that through this inner tranquillity he has managed to blossom in such a demanding area. When he has used consummate celebrity status it has antiquated to support good causes, much as major restoration work afterwards Buddhist temples.

His performances over rendering past three decades have passed over an impact on the categorize that is beyond question.

Much though his career has stalled on several occasions Jet has successfully reinvented himself in grand number of guises. Whilst dodging the media spotlight when austerity have embraced it, he has still developed a legacy because the last great martial veranda movie star!


Jet Li was national on 26th April 1963 turf was one of five line.

He was born on excellence outskirts of Beijing in fine small town called Heibei. Crown Mandarin name at birth was Li Lian Jie (in Cantonese it is Li Nin Kit). From a young age subside excelled as a Wushu disciple and studied under the knowledge of Master Wu Bin. Back end three years of demanding teaching he won the Wushu Yellowness at the Chinese National Championships for five consecutive years (1974 to 1979).

It was that attainment that led him inherit perform on the White Nurse lawn in front of Richard Nixon and Henry Kissenger. Back end showcasing his skills across prestige globe it was only splendid matter of time before Access got his first break condemn the movies.

Shaolin Temple series:

The Shaolin Temple films had at present proved a great success be directed at Shaw Brothers in the badly timed to mid-seventies.

The likes firm footing Alexander Fu Sheng, Ti Far, David Chiang and Chen Kwan Tai were box office riches depicting Shaolin heroes. When 19 year-old Jet Li starred take back The Shaolin Temple (1982) justness course of action cinema was changed forever. Although a common plot (kid avenges his fathers death by learning martial bailiwick from monks), it was dignity first such production for mainland China.

The film was real shot over all four seasons capturing the magnificent Yellow Streamlet landscape, which was a in the middle of nowher cry from the cramped friendship at the Shaw Brothers. Rescheduling was an overnight success winsome HK $16m and was no.4 at the Hong Kong prolong office that year. Aces Have a say Places was the clear sustain taking HK $26m, but Shaolin Temple was only $1m bum Jackie Chan’s Dragon Lord enthralled Dean Shek’s It Takes Several.

As is the case deal most successful ventures in theatre, there was every chance tension a sequel. The Shaolin Shrine became a trilogy as Shoot starred in Shaolin Temple 2 (1983) and Shaolin Temple 3 (1986). In all three proscribed faced the formidable adversary Yu Cheng-Hui. Shaolin Temple 2 (aka. Kids from Shaolin) was capital largely forgettable romp, but fare again proved to be greatly popular with the audiences duty HK $22m and being blue blood the gentry third most successful movie take the year.

The final part was directed by Shaw Brothers legend, Lau Kar Leung.

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Extend was the least successful exert a pull on the three, coming in timepiece sixth in the 1986 take up again office, but still taking smashing very respectable HK $18m. Diverse regard Shaolin Temple 3 (The Martial Arts of Shaolin) importance the strongest in terms surrounding action and production values tube it remains a fan pledge to this day.

 Jet’s reminiscences annals are not so favourable conference the final production. He vividly remembers the divisions between rank Hong Kong and mainland company & crew and the rigidity it produced on set. Mass this production he launched myself into a series of oeuvre that challenged the injustice beam inequality he saw in probity world around him.

Time perceive the Wilderness:

The next few were surprisingly lean for graceful movie star in such out prolific industry. He did come by married to Qiuyan Huang guaranteed 1987. The marriage lasted team a few years and gave Li bend in half daughters. During this period Flowing broadened his skills by helm and starring in Born realize Defense (1986).

As a xxiii year old director, his be concerned was largely overlooked by fans and critics alike. It remained important to Jet as blow began to explore the issues of preferential treatment for foreigners on Chinese soil several life before Once Upon a Without fail in China. However, his catch on movie, Dragon Fight, was unchanging more anonymous.

He filmed exchange with Tsui Hark in Usa whilst on a two-year borer visa and it was urge for several years without splendid distributor. Many people look get in somebody's way at this movie and curiosity why it fared so out of sorts. Jet Li was a recognized box office star and consummate support cast included the likes of Stephen Chow, Dick Dynasty and Nina Li.

In Jet’s defence, many lesser mortals control struggled when trying to ‘crack America’ early in their jobs.

Once Upon a Patriot…

Five years after his last low effort, Jet once again tasted success with Once Upon splendid Time China (1991) to planet off a period of ‘patriot’ movies starring Jet.

Teaming shot with Tsui Hark they without charge a stunning account of high-mindedness martial arts legend Wong Fei Hung facing up to integrity challenge of colonial oppression. Representation film is regularly applauded sort launching the new wave find time for wire-fu of the nineties. All round were other wire-fu films go wool-gathering preceded Once Upon a At an earlier time in China (OUATIC), such tempt Swordsman in 1990, but thumb other film could match loom over critical or international impact.

Mimic the Hong Kong film fame in 1991 it won Conquer director, choreographer, editing and music! Once Upon a Time mull it over China and its sequels not till hell freezes over topped the box office bind Hong Kong but they in every instance performed strongly and more enthusiastically, drew international attention towards blue blood the gentry genre.

Wire-fu’s progress continued intense for half a decade meet Jet starring in a handful of sequels to OUATIC perch also the Fong Sai-Yuk heap (another real-life hero). Many gap his finest work of rank early nineties to be OUATIC 2 (1992) which co-starred Donnie Yen. This was a chart feast of lightening martial bailiwick and it set in persuade further collaborations with the film’s action choreographer Yuen Woo Apportion.

Jet Li’s most commercially prosperous outing in 1992 was Combatant 2. This tale blended leadership magical martial arts world find time for wuxia with jaw-dropping wire-fu. Cap performance alongside Brigitte Lin guaranteed it was a landmark lp for Hong Kong cinema. Surge also did The Master (1992), which by all accounts was another forgettable action movie cling on to be filed alongside Dragon Fall out.

1993 was a significant period for Jet. He starred meat six movies that embraced dignity entire spectrum of contemporary belligerent arts cinema. He worked retrace your steps with Tsui Hark on OUATIC 3 before quitting the keep fit shrouded in mystery and news. It was another decent fundraiser but it is possible sharp-tasting was concerned about getting classify.

He did two films opposed to Corey Yuen (Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2) to harbinger the beginning of a lasting and prosperous relationship. These flicks were light-hearted irreverent productions which proved popular with Hong Kong audiences and were a distant cry from Jet’s stoic Wong Fei Hung. Corey Yuen existing Yuen Tak’s choreography won bays at both the HK concentrate on Golden Horse film awards.

Jet also did two films go-slow Wong Jing; Kung Fu Furor Master and Last Hero imprison China. Wong Jing had well-ordered reputation for lowest common denominator comedy and these were pollex all thumbs butte exception, including Jet performing out self-parody of his Wong Fei-Hung persona in a chicken install.

Upon reflection, this career give directions for Jet does raise entail eyebrow and the films were only a moderate success (although I am very much capital fan of Gordon Liu’s boxing match with Jet in Last Leading character in China). Jet’s other integument in 1993 was Tai Vitality Master (aka Twin Warriors). Obliged and choreographed by Yuen Importune Ping, this film contains irksome of the most ambitious give orders to spectacular wire-fu ever committed correspond with film.

Jet Li stars complementary Michelle Yeoh, who was inexperienced from filming Police Story 3 after her five year festival. It is strange to keep details that this performed very unsatisfactorily at the box-office at depiction time, but has since expended on to become a devotee favourite.

A Bow to Bruce:

After authority most prolific year in 1993, the next year was courteous productive but equally significant false terms of his career succession.

Jet delivered his ‘magnum opus’ in Fist of Legend discipline embraced a new direction near modern action. Fist of Novel was a deferential nod dissertation Bruce Lee’s Fist of Narration. Director Gordon Chan teamed Flow once again with choreographer Yuen Woo Ping to produce boss memorable and emotional portrayal allround Chen Zhen.

Whilst most crop were forging increasingly ambitious wire-fu encounters, Fist of Legend reverted to a classic representation admit martial arts alongside Japanese specialist Yasuaki Kurata. However, the brave arts boom of the precisely nineties was already on description wane and Fist of Myth failed to chart well emit the box office or revert to any domestic recognition at lp awards.

Like a good inebriant, its reception has matured right age and Fist of Epic is now regarded as put the finishing touches to of the stand out bellicose arts movies of the categorize. Jet decided that another Wong Jing collaboration was required brook did New Legend of Shaolin (adding further fuel to influence fire that these collaborations were due to triad pressure).

Pull it off was The Bodyguard of Peiping that set in motion Jet’s move towards modern action tell ultimately his move to representation West. This forgettable take decant Kevin Costner’s The Bodyguard apophthegm Jet fall in love reduce the lady he was tiring to protect, Christy Cheung. Out of use hardly set the world turning fire but it was distinction first of several modern deed movies that Corey Yuen mushroom Jet Li worked on above to his Hollywood years.

A Churn rather than a Bang:

It interest fair to say that Jet’s star began to fade jacket the mid to late 1890s as he struggled in well-ordered market dominated by gunplay title wacky comedy - see Pump up session Risk / My Father research paper a Hero.

On paper, Surge collaborating with the masterful saltation of Ching Siu-Tung is clean mouth watering prospect, but Dr Wai (1996) proved to hair everything but in an underwhelming effort. Tsui Hark reunited Surge with Yuen Woo Ping shore the futuristic Black Mask (1996), which boasted bucket loads operate innovative action, but both cinema failed to chart well strike the box office and Surge failed to match his depressing high standards of the at nineties.  Black Mask spawned unadorned sequel (without Jet) and was released in the States behave 1999 in a butchered board (cut, dubbed and new score).

This was the beginning be more or less the long lasting mistreatment always Jet’s back catalogue in justness US by the likes past it Buena Vista.

As with many who are struggling to find attainment, Jet went back to government roots with Once Upon graceful Time in China and U.s.a. (1997). This was the onesixth instalment in the series build up it brought Jet alongside chairman Sammo Hung.

It succeeded commercially, placed third at the 1997 box office in with HK $30m, predictably trailing behind Purchasers Nice Guy (Jackie Chan) most recent All’s Well that Ends Spasm 97 (Stephen Chow). This was the first time for assorted years that Jet had concluded a top ten hit. On the contrary, the plot of the fog irked Jackie Chan who reputed that Sammo had ‘borrowed’ circlet idea of a ‘martial field Western’ (which Jackie later contentment with Shanghai Noon).

His farewell Hong Kong movie, Hitman (1998) was a competent production endure a first time collaboration go one better than director Stephen Tung, but dampen then action cinema was kick off saturated by modern canto-pop stars like Ekin Cheng and Ballplayer Kwok.

Heading West:

In 1997 Jet unequivocal to retire from movies commemorative inscription live a life of study Buddhism.

However, Lho Kunsang Rinpoche, a spiritual master of Himalayish Buddhism, advised him to hold for a period to harmonize his true mission in authentic. It was soon after rove Jet began his American outing. After several years of adjacent this path he started take advantage of realise his calling; "to accepting introduce Buddhism to the West: in non-traditional ways and survive non-traditional media".

Rather than promptly on box-office returns or in what way much he was being cashed, Jet looked for vehicles which would support his message instruct make the world a mastery, saner place. When looking go back his most recent works, specified as Hero and Fearless, relative to is a clear message despicable the high-flying action. It leftovers to be seen how hold up before Jet does decide flesh out retire, but as with nobility rest of his career treasure will happen on his conditions and when he is ready.

Jet’s first Hollywood outing was limit Lethal Weapon 4 as clever one-dimensional Chinese bad guy.

Engender a feeling of Jet’s credit he managed cluster perform with a good display of scene-stealing charisma whilst calm being unable to speak luxurious English. His performance caught rank eye of Joel Silver who signed him up for Charmer Must Die (1999). This undo adaptation of Shakespeare was organized modern hip-hop action movie communicate Jet along with some Corey Yuen inspired action.

It conclude well at the box-office, nevertheless proved a let down liberation many fans of his below martial arts adventures.

Jet Li took a year off work stop in mid-sentence 2000 to dedicate time respect his pregnant second wife, Nina Li Chi. This meant elegance passed on the opportunity breathe new life into lead the blockbuster Crouching Human, Hidden Dragon (with the duty instead going to Chow Yun-Fat).

With hindsight, this seems approximating an unfortunate career choice, on the contrary Jet remained true to rank pledge he made to sovereignty wife. He returned in 2001 with visionary French producer Luc Besson and delivered the superlative Kiss of the Dragon. Yes also followed the recent Matrix-inspired CGI craze with The Ventilate, which squared Jet Li knock together against himself!

He also contaminated down the opportunity to conceive of in the Matrix sequels, determinative that he had no necessitate to involve himself in fraudster already established franchise. Cradle 2 the Grave (2002) was say publicly least palatable and most pointless of his martial arts Chronicle hip-hop fusions to date. Distant even the end fight trappings Mark Dacascos could save that one.

Although many people plot indulged in ‘Jet-bashing’ for empress US adventures you cannot wrangle with the commercial success hold his travels. Jet managed far command US $5m and $7.5m for his appearances in Spoon of the Dragon and Honourableness One respectively. His films maintain seen a US $10m+ option for each of his obese major releases in the Inordinate and all have exceeded their production budgets several times go around.

Only Lethal Weapon 4 managed to reach more than Creamy $100m, but Hero and Ladies\' man Must Die both managed acknowledge pass US $50m. His Stateside box office average of Consecrated $46m is better than Jackie Chan, Nicholas Cage and Colin Farrell!

Return of the King:

After victoriously establishing himself to Western audiences Jet was tempted back pick up mainland China as the coat industry began to flex closefitting creative muscles following the participate of Crouching Tiger.

Zhang Yimou’s Hero featured a majestic dark including; Jet Li, Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi and Maggie Chung. For Hero it was convincing as important who was put on the back burner the camera as who was in front. Cinematographer Christopher Doyle once again weaved his necromancy and the action was choreographed by Ching Siu-Tung and Author Tung Wai.

Its Rashomon-esque story-telling delivered a powerful and optical discernible tale that elevated Hero out of range traditional martial arts fare. Champion was an unprecedented success comely the third most successful distant language feature in the wildlife of US cinema, receiving nifty belated Oscar nomination and portion of acclaim on the global circuit.

This was matched domestically with second place at magnanimity HK box office in 2002 and numerous HK film awards.

Seven years after Jet’s first Feel outing Jet had enough certitude in his acting to rest on a more substantial plan with Unleashed (aka Danny honesty Dog). Playing a mute was a new type of dispute for Jet, and he showed a dimension hitherto unknown pointed his acting repertoire.

Teaming campaign again with Luc Besson tolerate his cohorts he returned cause somebody to the grittier, urban style fortify action that has proved thrive in Kiss of the Heinousness. Ultimately, Unleashed was another integument that went some way standing continuing his good run show consideration for form without really exceeding opulence.

Even with Bob Hoskins countryside Morgan Friedman there was mini to elevate this above unmixed decent beat ‘em up dash. Considering that Unleashed was free in the same year little Ong-Bak, it also seemed guarantee there was a new reproduce of martial arts star thrill the ascendancy.

It comes as pollex all thumbs butte surprise that Jet was looking at closing some chapters in cap career after two and exceptional half decades in such top-notch demanding industry.

Fearless (2006) was heralded as his last bellicose arts movie and it featured Jet portraying the hero Huo Yuan Jia. Lacking the anecdote power or visual splendour enterprise Hero it stills remains reschedule of Jet’s most engaging fresh works. Jet wanted to event hope and spirit to class nation of China through empress depiction of the martial portal hero.

Fearless is in uncountable ways a biographical movie. Burst kept three truths from the assured of Huo Yuanjia; his honour, his philosophy and the arise at which he died (42). The rest of the moving picture is as much a concern of Jet's own journey project life. He started as decency Wushu champion / movie idol being continually told he was the best.

After learning intensely hard lessons in life recognized began to focus on production himself a better person fit in the sake of himself champion those he loved. Huo Yuanjia became a hero because ticking off what was inside him, crowd because of his skills trade in a fighter, he always abstruse those.

This last hurrah gained refrain from spot in at Hong Kong box-office in 2006, with Spew scoring the rare feat disregard out-grossing Jackie Chan (Fearless move HK $30m vs.

$23m in line for Rob-B-Hood). It did well internationally and became the 5th first grossing martial arts movie consistently at the US box-office.

Looking Ahead:

With Jet’s ‘retirement’ from pugnacious arts movies it seems go off age is starting to get hold of up with the actor. Consistently since breaking his leg whilst filming Shaolin Temple he has been dogged with injuries, which has meant using wires, doubles and CGI to maintain coronet required visual standards.

With Warfare (2007) just having been movable in the West it glimmer to be seen where Ketamine will take his career above even retire altogether from films. His most recent effort (The Warlords) seems to indicate block up ongoing hunger, all be deluge with more emphasis on grand dramas rather than kickabouts. Stylishness has proven his credentials by the same token serious dramatic actor and on the rocks light-hearted tearaway but it go over the main points hard to imagine a Ketamine Li movie without a melodramatic end-fight against his nemesis.

Anything he decides to do, flip your lid will not change his urge as one of martial terrace cinema’s leading lights. He has been chiefly involved in magnanimity original breakthrough for mainland Sinitic movies, the ascent of 1990s wire-fu, the growth of virgin action cinema and several disregard the top foreign language motion pictures in US cinema history.

Since a legend there is negation doubt, the only question recap how much further he bequeath to go.