Chinese actors who were born in 1909
Here are 5 famous actors from China were born in 1909:
Yuan Muzhi
Yuan Muzhi (March 3, 1909 Ningbo-January 30, 1978 Beijing) also known as Muzhi Yuan, Yuán Mùzhī or man with a thousand faces was a Chinese actor, film director and screenwriter. His children are called Munu Yuan, XiaoMu Yuan and MuNan Yuan.
Yuan Muzhi started his career in the film industry in Shanghai in 1930 as an actor. He later became a scriptwriter and director working for Lianhua Studio. His directorial debut was the film "Xiao Wu" in 1935, and he became known for his socially conscious films that brought attention to social issues.
In 1949, after the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Yuan Muzhi moved to Beijing and joined the newly formed China Film Bureau. He continued to direct films and is known for his famous works such as "Street Angel" (1937) and "Spring River Flows East" (1947).
Yuan Muzhi was also a prominent figure in China's film industry as he played a crucial role in the development of the Chinese Film Archive. In 1956, he was appointed as the director of the Beijing Film Academy, where he taught future generations of filmmakers.
Despite his contribution to Chinese cinema, Yuan Muzhi's work was criticized during the Cultural Revolution, and he was persecuted and forced to publicly denounce his earlier work. However, he was later rehabilitated and recognized for his achievements in the film industry.
Yuan Muzhi passed away on January 30, 1978, in Beijing, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape China's film industry.
Yuan Muzhi's contribution to the film industry was not limited to directing and screenwriting. He was also a prolific actor and appeared in films such as "The Goddess" (1934) and "The Big Road" (1935) before transitioning to directing. In addition to his film career, he was also involved in theater and was a founder of the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center.
Yuan Muzhi's films are known for their humanistic approach and realistic portrayal of social issues. He was a pioneer in Chinese cinema, and his films laid the foundation for the socialist realism movement in Chinese film. He was also a mentor to many young filmmakers and helped launch the careers of prominent directors such as Xie Jin and Wu Tianming.
In 1980, two years after Yuan Muzhi's death, the Chinese government established the "Yuan Muzhi Film Award" in his honor. The award is given annually to outstanding filmmakers in China and is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the Chinese film industry.
Wen Chung Ku
Wen Chung Ku (February 8, 1909 Wuxi-June 15, 1981 China) otherwise known as Ku Wen Tsung, Mun Chung Gu, Wenzong Gu, Ku Wen Chung, Wen Tsung Ku, Ku Wen-Tsung or Guh Men Tong was a Chinese film director and actor.
He began his career as an actor in the 1930s Shanghai film industry where he became known for his work in martial arts films. After the Communist takeover of China, Ku turned to directing and became well-known for his films in the wuxia genre, including "Empress Wu Tse-Tien" and "The Flying Swordgirl". Ku's films were known for their use of traditional Chinese culture and mythology, as well as their innovative fight choreography. In addition to his work in film, Ku was also a writer and artist, and was known for his calligraphy and painting. He was recognized with numerous awards throughout his career, including the Golden Banana Award for Best Director at the 1st Asia Pacific Film Festival for his film "The Land of Many Perfumes".
Ku Wen Chung was born into a family of artists and painters. Growing up, he showed a keen interest in traditional Chinese arts and martial arts, which he later incorporated into his films. After the Communist takeover, Ku briefly worked as an editor at the Shanghai Film Studio before moving to Hong Kong to pursue his career in directing. He was one of the few filmmakers who continued to make wuxia films in Hong Kong in the 1960s, when the genre was declining in popularity. Ku's dedication to wuxia films eventually earned him the title "the King of Wuxia". He was also known for discovering and launching the careers of several actors, including Ti Lung and David Chiang. Today, Ku Wen Chung is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of Chinese cinema.
Lee Sun-Fung
Lee Sun-Fung (April 10, 1909 Guangdong Province-May 21, 1985) a.k.a. Chenfeng Li or Sun-fung Lee was a Chinese film director, screenwriter and actor.
Throughout his career, Lee Sun-Fung made over fifty films, including the critically acclaimed "Orphan Island Symphony" in 1954, and "On the Waterfront" in 1950. Lee was credited with playing a key role in the development of the Hong Kong film industry, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. He was known for his ability to blend Chinese and Western styles of filmmaking, and his work often incorporated themes of social and political commentary. In addition to his filmmaking career, Lee was also an accomplished writer, penning numerous books and articles on film and other topics. He was considered one of the pioneers of Chinese cinema and was recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to the film industry.
Despite facing numerous obstacles throughout his career, including financial and political challenges, Lee Sun-Fung remained dedicated to his craft, and his films were widely acclaimed both in China and abroad. In addition to his success as a filmmaker, he was also a respected educator, teaching at a number of universities and film schools throughout his career. Lee was known for his willingness to mentor and support young filmmakers, and he played a key role in training and inspiring a new generation of Chinese and Hong Kong directors. Today, he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of Chinese cinema, and his legacy continues to inspire filmmakers around the world.
Langen Han
Langen Han (March 29, 1909 Shanghai-January 27, 1982 China) also known as Han Lan-ken, Lan-gen Han or Laan-Gan Hon was a Chinese actor.
Born in Shanghai in 1909, Langen Han was a prominent Chinese actor who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career. He studied at the Shanghai Actors' Training School before making his debut in the 1930s. He appeared in some of the most popular films in Chinese cinema, including "Spring Silkworms" and "The Spring River Flows East."
In addition to his prolific career in film, Han was also active in theatre and was a founding member of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe. He was known for his versatility as an actor and his ability to portray a wide range of characters on screen.
After the Communist Revolution in 1949, Han continued to work as an actor under the new regime. He starred in several propaganda films and was a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Han remained active in the industry until his death in 1982.
Despite his successful acting career, Langen Han's personal life was marked with a great deal of tragedy. His first wife passed away in 1947, and he lost his second wife and two children during the Cultural Revolution. Despite these personal hardships, Han continued to work in the industry and left a lasting legacy on Chinese cinema. His contributions to the arts were recognized with numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chinese Film Association in 1980. Han's legacy continues to inspire a new generation of actors in China today.
Ziyue Zhao
Ziyue Zhao (June 1, 1909 Shanxi-November 5, 1997 Beijing) a.k.a. Zhao Ziyue was a Chinese actor.
He was known for his roles in the films like "Shengsi Tonghua" (1947), "Hongyan" (1956), and "Wuhan 1938" (1981). Zhao started his acting career in 1934 and became one of the leading actors in China's film industry. He was a member of the first generation of Chinese actors who worked in the sound era of films. Zhao was also a well-known voice actor and dubbed for foreign films that were shown in China. He was honored with many awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th China Golden Rooster Awards ceremony. In addition to his acting career, Zhao was a member of the Communist Party of China and served as an official in the government.
In the late 1940s, Zhao served as the head of the Shanghai Film Studio, which was one of the biggest film production companies in China at the time. He played a crucial role in the development of the Chinese film industry during that period. Zhao was also a renowned drama actor and had performed in a number of stage plays. He was highly respected in the acting community for his versatility and talent. In 1992, he was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Chinese Drama Award. Zhao passed away in 1997 in Beijing at the age of 88. His legacy has been remembered as a pioneer of Chinese film and drama, and his contributions to the arts have left an indelible mark on Chinese culture.