|
Gong Li Profile |
|
-
Birth Date: December 31, 1965
-
Birth Place: Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
-
Birth Name: Gong Li
-
Height: 5'7"
|
|
|
Biography |
Gong Li was born New Year's Eve, December 31, 1965, in
Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. Raised in Jinan, Gong Li
is the daughter of an economics professor.
The porcelain beauty always dreamed of becoming a singer,
and it was her love of music that led to her applying to
China's top music school. Gong Li was rejected from the
music school, but was accepted to the Central Drama Academy
in Beijing, and graduated in 1985.
The relationship between Gong Li and famed Chinese director
Zhang Yimou started when Gong Li was cast in her debut role,
as the female lead in 1987's Red Sorghum, while she was
still a student. Zhang Yimou and Gong Li were romantically
involved for years, and he referred to her as his Muse.
Once she graduated, Gong Li was cast in Terracotta Warrior
and The Puma Action in 1989, Ju Dou in 1990, and Zhang
Yimou's Raise the Red Lanternin 1992.
The early '90s were filled with film roles, such as The
Banquet, in which she appeared as herself and a waitress,
and Back to Shanghai in 1991. In 1992, Gong Li starred in
the title role of Zhang Yimou's The Story of Qiu Ju, for
which she won a Best Actress Award at the 49th Venice
International Film Festival. In what she refers to as her
favorite role, Gong Li spent weeks in a small village and
learned the local language, in order to portray a poor
woman.
After her role in Mary from Beijing, Gong Li gained
International recognition for her role in Chen Kaige's
Farewell My Concubine in 1993. She won a New York Film
Critics award for the film.
In 1993, Gong Li appeared in Flirting Scholar and Soul of a
Painter, and followed these up with 1994's Living (another
Zhang Yimou film), Dragon Chronicles: The Maidens, and The
Great Conqueror's Concubine.
Gong Li's final collaboration with Zhang Yimou was in 1995's
Shanghai Triad, the year her relationship with the director
ended.
The '90s rounded off with 1996's Temptress Moon, 1997's
Chinese Box (which she refers to as the least favorite of
her films), and 1999's Breaking the Silence and The Emperor
and the Assassin. She is also said to be planning a film
with Richard Gere.
Known as China's most famous actress in the Western world
and the Chinese equivalent of Julia Roberts, Gong Li has a
multitude of international awards to her name, most notably
France's highest cultural honor, the Officier des Arts et
des Lettres in 1988.
Gong Li is also China's most recognized face, chosen as a
representative of Shanghai Tang clothing and a beauty
ambassador for L'Oreal cosmetics. Not only recognized for
her talent, Gong Li is also known for being one the world's
most beautiful women, as People magazine included her in one
of its 50 Most Beautiful People lists.
Though she is no longer with Zhang Yimou (who has since been
allegedly linked to Zhang Ziyi), Gong Li has been happily
married to a wealthy businessman from Singapore, Ooi Wei
Ming, since 1996. |
|
|
Other
Information |
Was included in People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.
Representative of Shanghai Tang line of clothing. Beauty
ambassador for L'Oreal cosmetics. June 1998, Gong Li was
awarded the French government's "Officer des Arts et
Lettres" for contributions to the cinema.
Graduated from the Central Drama Academy in Beijing (1989)
Personal favorites: Meryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman
Received New York Film Critics award for Ba wang bie ji
(1993) (aka Farewell My Concubine).
Dated Yimou Zhang [1987-1995]
Head juror of the 2000 Berlin International Film Festival
Head juror of the 2002 Venice Film Festival
Head juror of the 2003 Tokyo International Film Festival
Member of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997
Her performance as Juxian in Ba wang bie ji (1993) (aka
"Farewell My Concubine") (1993) is ranked #89 on Premiere
Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).
The youngest of five children.
Had a song written about her by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
("Gong Li").
She was presented the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in June
1998.
Was chosen and honored as one of TIME Magazine's "60 Years
of Asian Heroes". |
|
|
|
