Gong Li

Gong Li, an acclaimed Chinese actress, rose to fame for her captivating performances in films like "Red Sorghum" and "Farewell My Concubine". Her talent has garnered international recognition and prestigious awards.

Movie Actress

December 31, 1965

Capricorn

59

Shenyang, China

Gong Li, born on December 31, 1965, in Shenyang, Liaoning, China, is a renowned Chinese actress who gained international recognition for her captivating performances in critically acclaimed films such as “Red Sorghum,” “Ju Dou,” and “Farewell My Concubine.” Showing an early interest in the arts, Gong Li began studying dance at the age of 9 and later enrolled in the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, where she graduated in 1989.

Her acting career began in 1987 when she starred in the film “Red Sorghum.” She went on to star in a number of successful films, including “Raise the Red Lantern” (1991), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. In the 1990s, Gong Li began to appear in international films, such as “The Joy Luck Club” (1993), “Miami Rhapsody” (1995), and “2046” (2004). She has also worked with some of the most acclaimed directors in the world, including Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Wong Kar-wai.

In recent years, Gong Li has continued to star in both Chinese and international films. Some of her most recent films include “Coming Home” (2014), “The Monkey King 2” (2016), and “Mulan” (2020). Her talent and versatility have earned her numerous prestigious awards, including the Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup for Best Actress, the Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actress, the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress, and the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actress.

Gong Li was married to Singaporean businessman Ooi Hoe Soeng from 1996 to 2010 and is currently married to French composer Jean-Michel Jarre. She is a practicing Buddhist and a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme. In 1990, People magazine named her one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World.” With a career spanning over three decades, Gong Li continues to captivate audiences with her powerful performances and remains a prominent figure in the international film industry.