Jet Li

Jet Li is a Singaporean actor, film producer, and retired wushu champion renowned as one of the most iconic martial arts film stars of his generation. Born Li Lianjie in Beijing, he achieved national fame in China as a teenage wushu prodigy before transitioning to a prolific film career. His work spans seminal Hong Kong cinema classics, Hollywood blockbusters, and influential wuxia epics, making him a global ambassador for Chinese martial arts.

Early life and career

Born in Beijing, he began training in wushu at the age of eight under renowned coaches at the Beijing Amateur Sports School. His exceptional talent led him to join the prestigious Beijing Wushu Team, where he trained under master Wu Bin. He won his first national championship at the age of twelve and went undefeated in numerous national competitions throughout his teenage years. His prowess earned him a performance for President Richard Nixon during a 1974 cultural visit by the Beijing Wushu Team to the White House. After retiring from competitive wushu, he was cast by director Zhang Xinyan in the landmark film *Shaolin Temple* (1982), which became a massive success across Asia.

Martial arts and film breakthrough

The success of *Shaolin Temple* launched his film career and established a new wave of martial arts film popularity in Mainland China. He subsequently starred in two sequels, *Kids from Shaolin* (1984) and *Martial Arts of Shaolin* (1986), further solidifying his star status. In the early 1990s, he relocated to Hong Kong and collaborated with producer Tsui Hark on the groundbreaking *Once Upon a Time in China* series, where his portrayal of folk hero Wong Fei-hung became iconic. Films like *Fong Sai-yuk* (1993) and *The Tai-Chi Master* (1993) showcased his blend of athletic wushu and charismatic screen presence, making him a leading figure in the Hong Kong New Wave cinema movement.

International success

His international profile rose significantly with roles in Hollywood films such as *Lethal Weapon 4* (1998), where he played the villain opposite Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. He later headlined major action films including *Romeo Must Die* (2000) alongside Aaliyah, *The One* (2001), and the *Expendables* franchise, sharing the screen with Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham. Concurrently, he achieved critical acclaim in Chinese-language cinema through prestigious wuxia dramas like *Hero* (2002) directed by Zhang Yimou, and *Fearless* (2006), which he cited as his final pure martial arts film. His work with director Luc Besson on *Unleashed* (2005) also received widespread praise.

Philanthropy and personal life

In 2004, he survived the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami while on vacation in the Maldives, an experience he credits with deepening his commitment to philanthropy. He founded the One Foundation in 2007, a pioneering charitable organization in China focused on disaster relief and community development. He has been a global ambassador for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and actively supports environmental causes. He became a Singaporean citizen in 2009. He was first married to fellow Beijing Wushu Team member Huang Qiuyan, and later married actress Nina Li Chi in 1999, with whom he has two daughters.

Filmography and awards

His extensive filmography includes over forty films as a leading actor, spanning from his debut in *Shaolin Temple* to Hollywood productions like *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* (2008). He has received numerous accolades, including the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in *Fearless*. He has also been honored with awards from the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Huabiao Awards for his contributions to cinema. In 2008, he was recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the most influential figures in entertainment.

Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:Singaporean film actors Category:Chinese male film actors Category:Wushu practitioners Category:Hong Kong film actors