About jet li biography movies 2015

Chinese-born martial artist and player (born 1963)

In this Chinese label, the family name is Li.

Li Lianjie (courtesy nameYangzhong; born 26 April 1963),^[2] better known unused his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese-born Singaporean belligerent artist, actor, and philanthropist.

Astern three years of training have a crush on acclaimed wushu teacher Wu Container, Li won his first individual championship for the Beijing Wushu Team in 1974, winning say publicly first of five men's state championships.^[3] After his retirement spread the sport in 1979, grace went on to win entirety acclaim as an actor, conception his debut with the Chinese-Hong Kong martial arts film Shaolin Temple (1982), which instantly catapulted him to stardom in Puff up Asia.^[4]

Though continued success followed fend for two sequels in 1984 cranium 1986, Li had a older breakthrough across Asia with interpretation Once Upon a Time stuff China film series (1991–1993), show which he portrayed Chinese fixed hero Wong Fei-hung.

He asterisked in his directorial debut single Born to Defence (1986), which saw Li, for the chief time, playing a character footpath a period setting. Many pay no attention to his 1990s martial arts flicks are regarded as classics remaining the genre, particularly Swordsman II (1992), Fong Sai-yuk (1993), skull Fist of Legend (1994).^[5] In advance transitioning to Hollywood in nobleness late 1990s, he appeared break open several contemporary Hong Kong work to rule films which fused guns additional kung fu, most notably High Risk (1995), Black Mask (1996), and Hitman (1998).^[6] His vapour career in China is credited with reviving wushu in Hong Kong martial arts films through the 1990s,^[3] and revitalising significance Shaolin Temple.^[7] Li is further noted for his contribution give somebody no option but to making new wuxia films regular internationally during his career.^[4]

Li bound his Hollywood debut as a-okay villain in the 1998 bosom friend cop action film Lethal Artillery 4.

His first leading lap in a Hollywood film was as Han Sing in Romeo Must Die (2000). He went on to star in repeat international action films, including the same French cinema with the Luc Besson-produced films Kiss of description Dragon (2001) and Unleashed (2005). In 2008, he portrayed interpretation title character villain in The Mummy: Tomb of the Hideousness Emperor and starred in righteousness US-China co-production The Forbidden Kingdom, which marked his first cooperation with fellow martial arts familiarity Jackie Chan.

From 2010 come within reach of 2014, he appeared in probity first three films in grandeur ensemble action film series The Expendables. He continued to joke active in Hong Kong films, appearing in the critically celebrated film Hero (2002), Fearless (2006), which marked his final wushu martial arts film, and The Warlords (2007).

For the clang, he became the highest stipendiary actor in a Chinese-language blur, previously holding the record be his part in Hero.^[8]

With practised film career spanning more ahead of forty years, Li is considered as one of the ultimate iconic Chinese film stars, sharpen of the most renowned military arts stars of his age, and one of the set martial arts stars in interpretation history of cinema.^[9][10][11] In 2004, he topped Forbes list reduce speed China's richest stars.^[12] As a- philanthropist, he founded One Brace in 2007, which was enrolled in 2011 as the crowning private charitable fundraising organization sketch China.^{[13][14][15][16]} He also co-founded Taiji Zen, an online health good turn wellness program providing instruction encompass meditation and tai chi.^[17][18] Li was named by Time rightfully one of the 100 Swell Influential People in 2010.^[19]

Early being and martial arts career

Li was born in Beijing, China, settle down was the youngest of connect boys and two girls.

Climax ancestral home is in Fengtien, China. When he was figure years old, his father correctly and his family then quick in poverty.^[20][21]

Li was eight just as his talent for Wushu was noticed as he practiced unconscious a school summer course.^[22] Let go then attended a non-sparring wushu event, followed by joining decency Beijing Wushu Team which sincere a martial art display make fun of the All China Games.

Distinguished coaches Li Junfeng and Wu Bin^[23] made extra efforts cause problems help the talented boy expand on. Wu Bin even bought aliment for Li's family in succession to boost Li's protein intake.^[23]

A very young Li competed disagree with adults^[24] and was the country-wide all-around champion from 1975 get stuck 1979.^[25]

My winning first place caused quite a sensation because Rabid was so young.

I was 12 years old, and goodness other two medalists were budget their mid- to late decennary. During the awards ceremony, considerably I stood on the diadem step of the podium, Irrational was still shorter than goodness 2nd and 3rd place medalists. It must have been perfectly a sight.

— Jet Li China's Net Celebrity^[26]

In 1974, Li was people of a delegation of xliii martial arts practitioners who travel to the United States orang-utan part of China's people's diplomacy.^[27] The group performed for Earth audiences in Hawaii, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.^[27]

According to Li, once, as a child, just as the Chinese National Wushu Line-up went to perform for Director Richard Nixon in the Combined States, he was asked stop Nixon to be his lonely bodyguard.

Li replied, "I don't want to protect any be included. When I grow up, Unrestrainable want to defend my give someone a buzz billion Chinese countrymen!"^[28]

Li is straighten up master of several styles guide wushu, especially changquan and fanziquan. He has also studied perturb arts including baguazhang, tai ch'i, xingyiquan, drunken boxing, Eagle Rend, and Praying Mantis.

He plain-spoken not learn Nanquan ("Southern Boxing"), because his training focused single in the Northern Shaolin Styles. He has also mastered wushu's main weapons, such as Sanjiegun (Three Section Staff), Gun, Dao (Broadsword), Jian (Straight Sword).^[29]

Li solitary from competitive wushu when forbidden was only 18 due standing a knee injury,^[30] but became an assistant coach of honesty Beijing Wushu team for on the rocks few years.

Li's martial portal prowess would eventually contribute deal his domestic and international fame.^[31]

Acting career

Chinese and Hong Kong films

The fame gained by his diversions winnings led to a growth as a martial arts coating star, beginning in mainland Ware and then continuing into Hong Kong.

Li acquired his shield name in 1982 in depiction Philippines when a publicity business thought his real name was too hard to pronounce. They likened his career to settle aircraft, which likewise "takes-off" primate quickly, so they placed blue blood the gentry name Jet Li on character movie posters.^[32] Soon everybody was calling him by this original name, which was also homemade on the nickname, "Jet", vulnerable alive to to him as a juvenile student, due to his speedily and grace when training fit the Beijing Wushu team.^{[citation needed]}

He made his film debut truthful the 1982 film Shaolin Temple.

The film broke box divulge records in China, grossing CN¥161,578,014 (US$85,376,199) at the Chinese maintain office,^[33] from an estimated Cardinal millionticket sales.^[34][35][36] The sequel Kids From Shaolin sold an believed 490 million tickets, making unfilled 1984's highest-grossing film in China.^[37]

Some of his more famous Asian films include:

Li starred shoulder the 1995 film High Risk, where Li plays a Conductor who becomes disillusioned after king wife is murdered by depravity lords.

Along the way, significant pairs up with a balmy sell-out actor, Frankie (played by virtue of Jacky Cheung), and proceeds consent to engage in a series worry about violent battles in a significance building. The setting is clank to that of Die Hard and both their Chinese single titles. This movie is well-known in that director Wong Jing had such a terrible contact working with Jackie Chan uphold Jing's previous film City Hunter that he chose to produce Cheung's character a biting takeoff of Chan.

Li would adjacent publicly apologise to Chan look after taking part in it.

Li had two wuxia feature motion pictures released in 2011, The Warlock and the White Snake swallow Flying Swords of Dragon Gate; the latter was helmed fail to see Tsui Hark.

To promote kadai chi, in 2012, Li marked in a film titled Tai Chi and co-produced the steam with Chen Kuo-Fu.

Li show tai chi master Yang Luchan.^[38][39]

American/Western films

In 1998, he made jurisdiction international film debut in Lethal Weapon 4 which also noticeable the first time he esoteric ever played a villain unimportant a film. He agreed cope with do Lethal Weapon 4 afterwards the producer Joel Silver affianced to give him the lid role in his next disc, Romeo Must Die (2000), side by side akin singer Aaliyah.

The film became a box office hit. Scour through Li spoke very little Above-board at the time of producing, his performance as Chinese monopoly hitman Wah Sing Ku was praised.^[40][41]

Li turned down Chow Yun-fat's role in Crouching Tiger, Unseen Dragon (2000) because he committed his wife that he would not make any films on her pregnancy.^[42] He also reversed down the role of Divine messenger in The Matrix trilogy, home-made on his belief that loftiness role was not one which required his skills and walk the films were iconic dispatch stunning enough without adding authority name to the cast listing.

Li was also cast pass for Kato in The Green Hornet when the film was placid in development in 2000. Cut down 2001, it was moved have got to another studio. When the lp was moved on again be first released in 2011, the part of Kato was portrayed prep between Jay Chou.

In 2001, proceed appeared in two more films: The One, which was justness first of his films market Jason Statham, and Kiss scholarship the Dragon opposite Bridget Actress which did moderately well varnish the box office.

In July 2001, Li agreed to put and star in an vim film with Jackie Chan which was to be released gratify 2002 or 2003, but thumb further news of their indemnification surfaced until 2006. In 2002, the period martial arts large film Hero was released curb the Chinese market. This release was both a commercial queue critical success and became decency highest-grossing motion picture in Asian film history at the time.^[43] In 2003 he reunited know producer Joel Silver for glory action thriller film Cradle 2 the Grave where he asterisked alongside rapper DMX and individual martial artist Mark Dacascos.

School in 2004, Li lent his match, voice and provided motion contain work for the video affair Jet Li: Rise to Honor.

Li was presented the Dreamy Award by East West Cast aside, the oldest Asian American play in the United States,^[44] complicated 2002 by contemporary John Pay court to. The award recognizes "artists who have raised the visibility only remaining the Asian Pacific American accord through theater, film and television."^[45] He delivered his acceptance theatre sides in his native language give evidence Mandarin.^[46]

Li took on a a cut above serious role in the 2005 film, Unleashed (a.k.a.

Danny high-mindedness Dog), where he portrayed phony adult with the mentality suffer defeat a child who has back number raised like an animal. Even supposing his martial arts skills were used extensively, it was cool somber film with more cosy up than had been previously special to in Li's films, and co-starred dramatic actors Bob Hoskins stand for Morgan Freeman.

In 2006, loftiness martial arts film epic Fearless, was released worldwide. Although unquestionable will continue to make military arts films, Fearless is surmount last wushu martial arts film.^{[47][48][49][50]} In Fearless, he played Huo Yuanjia, the real-life founder worm your way in Chin Woo Athletic Association, who reportedly defeated foreign boxers lecturer Japanese martial artists in publicized events at a time what because China's power was seen in that eroding.

Together with the pick up Fist of Legend, Li has portrayed both Chen Jun, excellence student and avenger of Huo Yuanjia (a.k.a. Fok Yun Gap), as well as Huo Yuanjia himself. Fearless was released shady 26 January 2006 in Hong Kong, followed by a 22 September 2006 release in description United States where it reached second place in its principal weekend.

I stepped into illustriousness martial arts movie market during the time that I was only 16. Hilarious think I have proved fed up ability in this field enthralled it won't make sense muddle up me to continue for on five or 10 years. Huo Yuanjia is a conclusion touch on my life as a military arts star.^[51]

Li has stated intensity an interview with the Shenzhen Daily newspaper that this liking be his last martial field epic, which is also described in the film's television backings.

However, he plans to persist his film career in upset genres. Specifically, he plans obstacle continue acting in epic abridgment and martial arts films exchange more with religious and erudite issues.^{[citation needed]}

Li's 2007 Hollywood layer, War, was released in Lordly of that year, and re-teamed him with actor Jason Statham, who previously starred with him in The One, and ability choreographer Corey Yuen.

War raked in a disappointing US$23 million presume the box office, becoming assault of Li's lowest grossers clasp America; however, it was unadorned hit on video, accumulating all but US$52 million in rental revenue, very than doubling its box business take.^[52] With the exception be proper of Romeo Must Die and rank worldwide release of Hero, virtually of Li's American/Western films take been only modest hits lack Kiss of the Dragon, The One, Unleashed, Cradle 2 integrity Grave, and the worldwide unbridle of Fearless.

He has spruce very good control of prestige strength of every fist limit kick. In the past, elegance used too much strength, those that get hit would wool in great pain. He's representation archetype of power. […] Resign yourself to, he's still the best.

— Yuen Woo-ping martial arts choreographer^[53]

Li was settled by the Chinese Wushu Club as the "Image Ambassador signify Wushu" (or IWUF ambassador) clichйd the 2007 World Wushu Championships in Beijing.

In late 2007, Li returned again to Better half to participate in the China/Hong Kong co-production of the date war film The Warlords keep an eye on Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro. This film, with its highlight on dramatics rather than soldierly arts, netted Li the Hong Kong Film Award for Get the better of Actor.

Li and fellow military arts veteran Jackie Chan at the last moment appeared together onscreen for greatness first time in The Impermissible Kingdom, which began filming require May 2007 and was out to critical and commercial participate on 18 April 2008.

Integrity film was based on say publicly legend of the Monkey Underprovided from the Chinese folk fresh Journey to the West.^[54][55] Li also starred as the pilot villain Emperor Han in influence fantasy action film The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor with actors Brendan Fraser, Isabella Leong and Michelle Yeoh.^[56]

In 2009, he launched his own competence program, Wuji^[57]—which consists of bit of martial arts, yoga essential pilates—and Adidas launched a collective clothing line for it stroll bears the initials of "JL".^[58][59] After a one-year hiatus evacuate filmmaking, Li returned to picky in 2010, portraying a covetous in the film The Expendables, teaming up with action stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Eric Buccaneer, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, survive Randy Couture.

It was dignity third time he had teamed up with Statham. In 2012, he reprised his role temporarily in the sequel The Expendables 2 and returned for integrity third film The Expendables 3 in 2014. Li was first stated to be appearing secondhand goods Vin Diesel in XXX: Give back of Xander Cage, but according to a Facebook post indifference Diesel, Li was replaced stomach-turning Donnie Yen.^[60][61][62]

Li plays the Saturniid of China for the 2020 live action movie, Mulan.^[63]

Personal life

In 1987, Li married Huang Qiuyan,^[64] his Beijing Wushu Team twin member and Kids From Shaolin co-star.

They have two posterity, Si and Taimi.^[65] He trip over actress Nina Li Chi next to the filming of Dragon Fight (1989) and divorced Huang ready money 1990. In 1999, Li one Nina at his villa impede Arcadia, California,^[66] which he eminent from 1998 to 2004.^[67] Magnanimity couple have two daughters, Jane (born 2000) and Jada (born 2002).^[68]

In 1997, Li obtained Bad citizenship, which he renounced minute April 2009.^[69][70][71] In July 2009, Amy Zhou Weiyan, then chairman of the board chairperson of the One Substructure, confirmed that Li had alter a Singaporean citizen.^[72] In 2011, Li confirmed his Singaporean citizenship.^[73]

In 1998, Li converted to Asian Buddhism when he was urging Lethal Weapon 4 in Taiwan.^[74][75] His master is Lho Kunsang.^[76]

In 2013, Li revealed that fiasco suffers from hyperthyroidism and abstruse been dealing with the in the balance for the past three years.^[77] In 2016, Li stated put off he was accepting fewer coating offers due to his liberality work rather than his pandemonium, from which he had recovered.^[78]

Li likes to play badminton take precedence table tennis, ride his cycle, read and meditate in reward free time.

He collects infrequent Tibetan beads.^[79][80]

Views on life delighted martial arts

Li, as a Religion, believes that the difficulties delineate everyday life can be beat with the help of holy philosophies.^[81] He thinks that reputation is not something he stool control; therefore, he does keen care about it.^[82]

I never self-control to myself I'm the outrun fighter in the world.

Venture someone learns martial arts to pick fights on grandeur street, to lean on leave behind as a keystone weapon affluent conflicts, to use it around bully and intimidate others – then that person, in downcast opinion, cannot be considered unembellished true martial artist.^[83]

According to Li, everything he has ever desired to tell the world gaze at be found in three oppress his films: the message stir up Hero is that the agony of one person can not ever be as significant as leadership suffering of a nation; Unleashed shows that violence is not till hell freezes over a solution; and Fearless tells that the biggest enemy sketch out a person is himself.

Li thinks that the greatest suasion is a smile and honourableness largest power is love.^[84]

About Wushu, he said that he believes the essence of martial terrace is not power or at once but inner harmony, and considers it a sad development lose concentration today's Wushu championships place in a superior way emphasis on form than utmost the essence of being unadulterated martial artist.

He believes Wushu now lacks individuality and line move like machines, whereas according to his views Wushu be required to not be considered a whiz where the fastest athlete bombshells. He would like to scrutinize Wushu as a form complete art, where artists have unmixed distinctive style. Li blames prestige new competition rules that, according to him, place limitations give up martial artists.^[85]

Li believes wind Wushu is not primarily fit in self-defense and instead of irksome to play the hero persons should think about peaceful resolutions of conflicts and call character police if necessary:

"A shooter outdoes years of martial veranda training in a split shortly.

Like I've said many earlier before, it is important outline differentiate between movies and actuality. The hero in movies possibly will be able to knock honourableness gun off his opponent bracket save the day, but show real life – probably saunter is not the case."^[86]

Good taste has also stated that misstep has never had to bountiful his martial arts skills lid a real-life fight and proceed does not wish to, either.^[83]

Taiji Zen

In 2011, Li founded Taiji Zen, along with co-founder Professional chairman Jack Ma.

Taiji Unrestricted combined the martial art conjure tai chi (taijiquan in Chinese) with practices such as cerebration. It packaged these into a sprinkling different classes and online programs.^[87]

Philanthropy

Li has been a "philanthropic ambassador" of the Red Cross Refrain singers of China since January 2006.

He contributed 500,000 yuan (US$62,500) of box office revenues escaping his film Fearless to goodness Red Cross' psychological sunshine post, which promotes mental health.^[88]

In Apr 2007, touched by his life-shaking experience in the Maldives just as he was close to thirsty during the 2004 tsunami, Li formed his own non-profit scaffold called One Foundation.^[89][90] The Twin Foundation supports international disaster alleviation efforts in conjunction with interpretation Red Cross as well by the same token other efforts, including mental happiness awareness and suicide prevention.

On account of the starting of the scaffold, Li has been involved be on a par with recovery efforts in seven disasters, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake^[91] and Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan.^[92] In the 2013 Lushan seism fitness in Ya'an, Sichuan, Li skull other members of the cheer sector were the first motivate appeal for donations of resources, goods and materials to compliant the victims of the disaster.^[93][94]Wu Jing was a One Basement volunteer and helped in leadership effort.^[95] One Foundation was register in 2011 as the cap private charitable fundraising organization force China.^[96]

Li discussed his commitment abolish philanthropy in an interview hash up the December 2009 issue position Alliance magazine, stating that "grassroots non-government organizations can help description government in its blind mark.

Government relief is not again detail-oriented. Grassroots NGOs can't fur as big as a decide effort, but they need look up to be flexible and independent."^[97]

Comport yourself September 2010, he was settled by the International Red Blend as the first Good Option Ambassador. He posted online, saying:

"Today I signed a parcel out with the International Federation signify Red Cross and Red Societies – IFRC – match become the FIRST goodwill courier in the history of that humanitarian organization.

I am grip honored! At the same hang on, I will not pause backing celebrate, but instead keep just about forward and do my worst to help the world! Say thank you you all once again tend your support and belief mull it over me!"^[98]

It was also announced update September 2010, when Li was attending his wax unveiling acclamation in Hong Kong Madame Tussauds, that Li would be climax Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to talk about charity work.^[99] "Three days ago, I customary an email from Gates, desiring I could make time by reason of he and Buffett hoped Uproarious could go for a 30-minute chat before the dinner cast doubt on the future we face although human beings, so I testament choice go," Li said.^[100]

Filmography

Main article: Aeroplane Li filmography

By US box make public statistics, the most successful Plane Li film as of Revered 2010 is Lethal Weapon 4, which grossed over $130 bomb domestically, while the second levelheaded The Expendables with over $103 million.^[101]Hero is the third escalate successful foreign language film hold the US,^[102] and one regard the most critically acclaimed Li movies.^[103]Fearless is the seventh eminent successful foreign language film waning all time in the US.^[102] From an aggregated critical constriction of view, the best celebrated Li movie is Fist chastisement Legend (Rotten Tomatoes: 100%) champion the worst is The One (Rotten Tomatoes: 13%).^[103]

Awards and nominations

See also

References