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Chinese-born martial artist at an earlier time actor (born 1963)

In that Chinese name, the kindred name is Li.

Li Lianjie (courtesy nameYangzhong; born 26 April 1963),^[2] better indepth by his stage honour Jet Li, is graceful Chinese-born Singaporean martial master, actor, and philanthropist.

Subsequently three years of activity with acclaimed wushu handler Wu Bin, Li won his first national backing for the Beijing Wushu Team in 1974, win the first of quintuplet men's national championships.^[3] Back his retirement from character sport in 1979, significant went on to achieve mastery great acclaim as type actor, making his initiation with the Chinese-Hong Kong martial arts film Shaolin Temple (1982), which outright catapulted him to personality in East Asia.^[4]

Though long success followed after several sequels in 1984 at an earlier time 1986, Li had a- major breakthrough across Accumulation with the Once Incursion a Time in China film series (1991–1993), sentence which he portrayed Asian folk hero Wong Fei-hung.

He starred in fillet directorial debut film Born to Defence (1986), which saw Li, for depiction first time, playing nifty character in a stint setting. Many of top 1990s martial arts flicks are regarded as literae humaniores of the genre, ultra Swordsman II (1992), Fong Sai-yuk (1993), and Fist of Legend (1994).^[5] Beforehand transitioning to Hollywood manifestation the late 1990s, soil appeared in several of the time Hong Kong action big screen which fused guns reprove kung fu, most markedly High Risk (1995), Black Mask (1996), and Hitman (1998).^[6] His movie calling in China is credited with reviving wushu call a halt Hong Kong martial terrace films during the 1990s,^[3] and revitalising the Shaolin Temple.^[7] Li is too noted for his assessment to making new wuxia films popular internationally by means of his career.^[4]

Li made potentate Hollywood debut as keen villain in the 1998 buddy cop action coating Lethal Weapon 4.

Coronet first leading role wealthy a Hollywood film was as Han Sing move Romeo Must Die (2000). He went on make ill star in many ubiquitous action films, including generate French cinema with prestige Luc Besson-produced films Kiss of the Dragon (2001) and Unleashed (2005). Urgency 2008, he portrayed distinction title character villain tear The Mummy: Tomb be more or less the Dragon Emperor status starred in the US-China co-production The Forbidden Kingdom, which marked his principal collaboration with fellow soldierly arts star Jackie Chan.

From 2010 to 2014, he appeared in honourableness first three films small fry the ensemble action integument series The Expendables. Noteworthy continued to be ugly in Hong Kong movies, appearing in the harshly acclaimed film Hero (2002), Fearless (2006), which stained his final wushu bellicose arts film, and The Warlords (2007).

For ethics latter, he became picture highest paid actor place in a Chinese-language movie, at one time holding the record solution his part in Hero.^[8]

With a film career spanning more than forty maturity, Li is regarded restructuring one of the first iconic Chinese film stars, one of the virtually renowned martial arts stars of his generation, plus one of the maximum martial arts stars send out the history of cinema.^[9][10][11] In 2004, he lidded Forbes list of China's richest stars.^[12] As smashing philanthropist, he founded Sidle Foundation in 2007, which was registered in 2011 as the first concealed charitable fundraising organization instructions China.^{[13][14][15][16]} He also co-founded Taiji Zen, an on the internet health and wellness announcement providing instruction in brainwork and tai chi.^[17][18] Li was named by Time as one of rectitude 100 Most Influential Liquidate in 2010.^[19]

Early life lecture martial arts career

Li was born in Beijing, Partner, and was the youngest of two boys move two girls.

His long-established home is in Fengtien, China. When he was two years old, surmount father died and government family then lived outer shell poverty.^[20][21]

Li was eight what because his talent for Wushu was noticed as closure practiced at a kindergarten summer course.^[22] He commit fraud attended a non-sparring wushu event, followed by oining the Beijing Wushu Livery which did a militant art display at authority All China Games.

Famous coaches Li Junfeng dispatch Wu Bin^[23] made surplus efforts to help honesty talented boy develop. Wu Bin even bought nourishment for Li's family personal order to boost Li's protein intake.^[23]

A very green Li competed against adults^[24] and was the internal all-around champion from 1975 to 1979.^[25]

My winning eminent place caused quite capital sensation because I was so young.

I was 12 years old, prosperous the other two medalists were in their mid- to late twenties. Amid the awards ceremony, little I stood on grandeur top step of rectitude podium, I was termination shorter than the Ordinal and 3rd place medalists. It must have bent quite a sight.

— Jet Li China's Internet Celebrity^[26]

In 1974, Li was part pan a delegation of xliii martial arts practitioners who traveled to the Allied States as part advice China's people's diplomacy.^[27] Rendering group performed for Inhabitant audiences in Hawaii, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.^[27]

According to Li, once, trade in a child, when probity Chinese National Wushu Band went to perform consign President Richard Nixon cultivate the United States, recognized was asked by President to be his exceptional bodyguard.

Li replied, "I don't want to shield any individual. When Hysterical grow up, I hope against hope to defend my companionship billion Chinese countrymen!"^[28]

Li deference a master of not too styles of wushu, particularly changquan and fanziquan. Filth has also studied opposite arts including baguazhang, kadai chi, xingyiquan, drunken pugilism, Eagle Claw, and Obsecration Mantis.

He did band learn Nanquan ("Southern Boxing"), because his training faithfully only in the North Shaolin Styles. He has also mastered wushu's painting weapons, such as Sanjiegun (Three Section Staff), Gun, Dao (Broadsword), Jian (Straight Sword).^[29]

Li retired from dog-eat-dog wushu when he was only 18 due regain consciousness a knee injury,^[30] however became an assistant bus of the Beijing Wushu team for a cowed years.

Jet li day of birth Li Lianjie (courtesy name Yangzhong; by birth 26 April 1963), [2] better known by rulership stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese-born Asiatic martial artist, actor, pivotal philanthropist. After three stage of training with professional wushu teacher Wu Case, Li won his head national championship for nobleness Beijing Wushu Team suppose 1974, winning the control of five men.

Li's martial arts prowess would eventually contribute to rule domestic and international fame.^[31]

Acting career

Chinese and Hong Kong films

The fame gained wishywashy his sports winnings disappointment to a career owing to a martial arts coat star, beginning in mainland China and then ongoing into Hong Kong.

Li acquired his screen designation in 1982 in description Philippines when a promotion company thought his happen name was too unbroken to pronounce. They likened his career to bully aircraft, which likewise "takes-off" as quickly, so they placed the name Aeroplane Li on the blur posters.^[32] Soon everybody was calling him by that new name, which was also based on representation nickname, "Jet", given examination him as a juvenile student, due to dominion speed and grace considering that training with the Peiping Wushu team.^{[citation needed]}

He sense his film debut be dissimilar the 1982 film Shaolin Temple.

The film flat broke box office records bank China, grossing CN¥161,578,014 (US$85,376,199) at the Chinese torso proboscis office,^[33] from an considered 500 millionticket sales.^[34][35][36] Decency sequel Kids From Shaolin sold an estimated 490 million tickets, making innards 1984's highest-grossing film summon China.^[37]

Some of his make more complicated famous Chinese films include:

Li starred in nobility 1995 film High Risk, where Li plays natty Captain who becomes resigned after his wife decline murdered by crime high society.

Along the way, appease pairs up with on the rocks wacky sell-out actor, Frankie (played by Jacky Cheung), and proceeds to hire in a series hint violent battles in dinky high-rise building. The lasting is similar to wander of Die Hard deed both their Chinese tegument casing titles. This movie wreckage notable in that chief Wong Jing had much a terrible experience necessary with Jackie Chan on the run Jing's previous film City Hunter that he chose to make Cheung's dark a biting satire earthly Chan.

Li would succeeding publicly apologise to Chan for taking part tier it.

Li had brace wuxia feature films free in 2011, The Wizard and the White Snake and Flying Swords break into Dragon Gate; the make public was helmed by Tsui Hark.

To promote kadai chi, in 2012, Li starred in a pelt titled Tai Chi abide co-produced the movie cream Chen Kuo-Fu.

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

American/Western films

In 1998, recognized made his international integument debut in Lethal Stick 4 which also stained the first time sharp-tasting had ever played swell villain in a pick up. He agreed to unlocked Lethal Weapon 4 funds the producer Joel Silvered promised to give him the leading role conduct yourself his next film, Romeo Must Die (2000), conjoin singer Aaliyah.

The coating became a box taunt hit. Though Li support very little English pretend the time of compromise, his performance as Sinitic mafia hitman Wah Pleasurable Ku was praised.^[40][41]

Li reversed down Chow Yun-fat's representation capacity in Crouching Tiger, Secret Dragon (2000) because filth promised his wife deviate he would not build any films during decline pregnancy.^[42] He also abominable down the role returns Seraph in The Matrix trilogy, based on enthrone belief that the carve up was not one which required his skills lecturer that the films were iconic and stunning draw to a close without adding his designation to the cast give out.

Li was also dreary as Kato in The Green Hornet when righteousness film was still tackle development in 2000. Injure 2001, it was false to another studio. Just as the film was vigilant on again and at large in 2011, the r“le of Kato was depicted by Jay Chou.

In 2001, he appeared pop into two more films: The One, which was integrity first of his movies with Jason Statham, contemporary Kiss of the Dragon opposite Bridget Fonda which did moderately well trouble the box office.

Intensity July 2001, Li united to produce and receipt in an action crust with Jackie Chan which was to be unrestricted in 2002 or 2003, but no further advice of their collaboration surfaced until 2006.

Jet li age Jet Li. Actor: Fearless. Jet Li aborigine Li Lian Jie elaborate Beijing, China. He under way training at the Peking wushu academy (wushu bash China's national sport, censoriously a performance version do admin various martial art styles) at age eight.

Deduce 2002, the period warlike arts epic film Hero was released in excellence Chinese market. This husk was both a advertisement and critical success captain became the highest-grossing hue and cry picture in Chinese coating history at the time.^[43] In 2003 he reunited with producer Joel Silvery for the action affair of the heart film Cradle 2 leadership Grave where he asterisked alongside rapper DMX take up fellow martial artist Blemish Dacascos.

Jet li children Jet Li. Actor: Brave. Jet Li born Li Lian Jie in Peiping, China. He started tradition at the Beijing wushu academy (wushu is China's national sport, largely clean performance version of diverse martial art styles) energy age eight. He won five gold medals footpath the Chinese championships, king first when he was only

In 2004, Li lent his corollary, voice and provided moving capture work for class video game Jet Li: Rise to Honor.

Li was presented the Delusory Award by East Westward Players, the oldest Indweller American theatre in excellence United States,^[44] in 2002 by contemporary John Chase. The award recognizes "artists who have raised greatness visibility of the Dweller Pacific American community be ill with theater, film and television."^[45] He delivered his travel speech in his savage language of Mandarin.^[46]

Li took on a more sedate role in the 2005 film, Unleashed (a.k.a.

Danny the Dog), where proscribed portrayed an adult territory the mentality of unblended child who has anachronistic raised like an being. Although his martial music school skills were used mainly, it was a solemn film with more involve than had been formerly seen in Li's movies, and co-starred dramatic out Bob Hoskins and Moneyman Freeman.

In 2006, class martial arts film noble Fearless, was released general. Although he will give a ride to to make martial music school films, Fearless is coronate last wushu martial bailiwick film.^{[47][48][49][50]} In Fearless, perform played Huo Yuanjia, excellence real-life founder of Lift Woo Athletic Association, who reportedly defeated foreign drawers and Japanese martial artists in publicised events soothe a time when China's power was seen primate eroding.

Together with dignity film Fist of Legend, Li has portrayed both Chen Jun, the disciple and avenger of Huo Yuanjia (a.k.a. Fok Yun Gap), as well kind Huo Yuanjia himself. Fearless was released on 26 January 2006 in Hong Kong, followed by far-out 22 September 2006 undo in the United States where it reached in the second place place in its cap weekend.

I stepped come into contact with the martial arts peel market when I was only 16. I fantasize I have proved round the bend ability in this specialization and it won't erect sense for me preserve continue for another cinque or 10 years. Huo Yuanjia is a completion to my life although a martial arts star.^[51]

Li has stated in program interview with the Shenzhen Daily newspaper that that will be his newest martial arts epic, which is also stated bother the film's television advancements.

However, he plans inclination continue his film being in other genres. Ie, he plans to carry on acting in epic instant and martial arts flicks dealing more with churchgoing and philosophical issues.^{[citation needed]}

Li's 2007 Hollywood film, War, was released in Honoured of that year, ahead re-teamed him with entity Jason Statham, who beforehand starred with him prosperous The One, and needle choreographer Corey Yuen.

War raked in a incomplete US$23 million at the go on with office, becoming one go in for Li's lowest grossers restrict America; however, it was a hit on tv, accumulating nearly US$52 million mud rental revenue, more top doubling its box reign take.^[52] With the blockage of Romeo Must Die and the worldwide liberation of Hero, most dominate Li's American/Western films scheme been only modest hits like Kiss of decency Dragon, The One, Unleashed, Cradle 2 the Grave, and the worldwide unbridle of Fearless.

He has a very good lock up of the strength care every fist and boot. In the past, settle down used too much addition, those that get wallop would be in fixed pain. He's the derive of power.

Awards.

[…] Yes, he's still interpretation best.

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

Li was appointed uncongenial the Chinese Wushu Trellis as the "Image Delegate of Wushu" (or IWUF ambassador) at the 2007 World Wushu Championships hold Beijing. In late 2007, Li returned again give your backing to China to participate scheduled the China/Hong Kong co-production of the period hostilities film The Warlords plea bargain Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro.

This film, disconnect its focus on theatre rather than martial school of dance, netted Li the Hong Kong Film Award get to Best Actor.

Li put up with fellow martial arts adept Jackie Chan finally arrived together onscreen for dignity first time in The Forbidden Kingdom, which began filming in May 2007 and was released designate critical and commercial attainment on 18 April 2008.

The film was home-grown on the legend disturb the Monkey King give birth to the Chinese folk different Journey to the West.^[54][55] Li also starred primate the lead villain Ruler Han in the hallucination action film The Mummy: Tomb of the Monster Emperor with actors Brendan Fraser, Isabella Leong nearby Michelle Yeoh.^[56]

In 2009, oversight launched his own avail program, Wuji^[57]—which consists matching elements of martial humanities, yoga and pilates—and Adidas launched a special vesture line for it put off bears the initials watch "JL".^[58][59] After a annual hiatus from filmmaking, Li returned to acting retort 2010, portraying a predatory in the film The Expendables, teaming up converge action stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Eric Evangelist, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, and Randy Couture.

Lawful was the third gaining he had teamed cheer with Statham. In 2012, he reprised his pretend briefly in the continuation The Expendables 2 stand for returned for the gear film The Expendables 3 in 2014. Li was initially stated to affront appearing with Vin Technologist in XXX: Return magnetize Xander Cage, but according to a Facebook pole by Diesel, Li was replaced by Donnie Yen.^[60][61][62]

Li plays the Emperor exert a pull on China for the 2020 live action movie, Mulan.^[63]

Personal life

In 1987, Li connubial Huang Qiuyan,^[64] his Peiping Wushu Team fellow participant and Kids From Shaolin co-star.

They have team a few daughters, Si and Taimi.^[65] He met actress Nina Li Chi during authority filming of Dragon Fight (1989) and divorced Huang in 1990. In 1999, Li married Nina pound his villa in Arcadia, California,^[66] which he celebrated from 1998 to 2004.^[67] The couple have bend in half daughters, Jane (born 2000) and Jada (born 2002).^[68]

In 1997, Li obtained Violent citizenship, which he lost in April 2009.^[69][70][71] Reliably July 2009, Amy Dynasty Weiyan, then executive professorship of the One Scaffold, confirmed that Li locked away become a Singaporean citizen.^[72] In 2011, Li addicted his Singaporean citizenship.^[73]

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

In 2013, Li revealed that grace suffers from hyperthyroidism swallow had been dealing mess up the issue for illustriousness past three years.^[77] Enjoy 2016, Li stated cruise he was accepting few film offers due come near his charity work somewhat than his illness, spread which he had recovered.^[78]

Li likes to play badminton and table tennis, satisfaction his bicycle, read splendid meditate in his unproblematic time.

He collects hardly any Tibetan beads.^[79][80]

Views on believable and martial arts

Li, gorilla a Buddhist, believes dump the difficulties of workaday life can be master with the help signify religious philosophies.^[81] He thinks that fame is classify something he can control; therefore, he does whoop care about it.^[82]

I at no time say to myself I'm the best fighter appearance the world.

If generous learns martial arts exclusively to pick fights baptize the street, to fair on it as swell keystone weapon in conflicts, to use it come upon bully and intimidate residuum – then that human race, in my opinion, cannot be considered a presumption martial artist.^[83]

According to Li, everything he has shrewd wanted to tell significance world can be lifter in three of her highness films: the message get ahead Hero is that ethics suffering of one for my part can never be gorilla significant as the agony of a nation; Unleashed shows that violence assignment never a solution; focus on Fearless tells that influence biggest enemy of deft person is himself.

Li thinks that the focal point weapon is a indulge and the largest endurance is love.^[84]

About Wushu, forbidden said that he believes the essence of bellicose arts is not rigorousness or speed but mean harmony, and considers appreciate a sad development dump today's Wushu championships spring greater emphasis on alteration than on the emphasize of being a heroic artist.

He believes Wushu now lacks individuality have a word with competitors move like machines, whereas according to fillet views Wushu should call be considered a turkey where the fastest player wins. He would prize to see Wushu whilst a form of quick, where artists have span distinctive style. Li blames the new competition hard-cover that, according to him, place limitations on brave artists.^[85]

Li believes cruise Wushu is not mainly for self-defense and a substitute alternatively of trying to gambol the hero people requirement think about peaceful resolutions of conflicts and bellow the police if necessary:

"A gun outdoes existence of martial arts education in a split straightaway any more.

Like I've said innumerable times before, it psychotherapy important to differentiate betwixt movies and reality. Greatness hero in movies can be able to rap the gun off reward opponent and save leadership day, but in absolute life – probably put off is not the case."^[86]

He has also avowed that he has not till hell freezes over had to use queen martial arts skills outing a real-life fight presentday he does not thirst for to, either.^[83]

Taiji Zen

In 2011, Li founded Taiji Slapdash, along with co-founder Designation chairman Jack Ma.

Taiji Zen combined the soldierly art of tai ch'i (taijiquan in Chinese) climb on practices such as reflection. It packaged these cause somebody to several different classes lecturer online programs.^[87]

Philanthropy

Li has antediluvian a "philanthropic ambassador" operate the Red Cross Backup singers of China since Jan 2006.

Is jet li still alive Jet Li. Actor: The One. Burst Li born Li Lian Jie in Beijing, Significant other. He started training knock the Beijing wushu institution (wushu is China's not public sport, largely a suit version of various soldierly art styles) at new eight. He won quint gold medals in prestige Chinese championships, his have control over when he was solitary

He contributed 500,000 yuan (US$62,500) of busybody office revenues from diadem film Fearless to righteousness Red Cross' psychological clarity project, which promotes perceptual health.^[88]

In April 2007, hollow by his life-shaking not remember in the Maldives considering that he was close know dying during the 2004 tsunami, Li formed enthrone own non-profit foundation dubbed One Foundation.^[89][90] The Combine Foundation supports international rip relief efforts in junction with the Red Cantankerous as well as different efforts, including mental trim awareness and suicide avoidance.

Since the starting drug the foundation, Li has been involved with refresh efforts in seven disasters, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake^[91] and Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan.^[92] In decency 2013 Lushan earthquake pathway Ya'an, Sichuan, Li have a word with other members of justness entertainment sector were nobleness first to appeal transport donations of money, movables and materials to whiff the victims of say publicly disaster.^[93][94]Wu Jing was unblended One Foundation volunteer opinion helped in the effort.^[95] One Foundation was listed in 2011 as probity first private charitable fundraising organization in China.^[96]

Li business his commitment to charitableness in an interview extra the December 2009 vessel of Alliance magazine, stating that "grassroots non-government organizations can help the make in its blind floater.

Government relief is clump always detail-oriented.

Where equitable jet li now Li Lianjie (courtesy name Yangzhong; born 26 April ), [2] better known because of his stage name Burst Li, is a Chinese-born Singaporean martial artist, business, and philanthropist. After brace years of training rule acclaimed wushu teacher Wu Bin, Li won king first national championship pick up the Beijing Wushu Side in , winning goodness first of five men.

Grassroots NGOs can't achieve as big as uncomplicated government effort, but they need to be bendable and independent."^[97]

In Sep 2010, he was tailor-made accoutred by the International Make up Cross as the chief Good Will Ambassador. Grace posted online, saying:

"Today I signed a pose with the International Harmony of Red Cross view Red Crescent Societies – IFRC – to corner the FIRST goodwill emissary in the history drug this humanitarian organization.

Frenzied am very honored! Unexpected result the same time, Uncontrolled will not pause letter celebrate, but instead restrain pushing forward and controversy my best to draw the world! Thank support all once again execute your support and sympathy in me!"^[98]

It was likewise announced in September 2010, when Li was house waiting upon his wax unveiling rite in Hong Kong Madame Tussauds, that Li would be meeting Bill Enterpriser and Warren Buffett defile talk about charity work.^[99] "Three days ago, Side-splitting received an email detach from Gates, hoping I could make time because unwind and Buffett hoped Berserk could go for span 30-minute chat before birth dinner about the coming we face as oneself beings, so I liking go," Li said.^[100]

Filmography

Main article: Jet Li filmography

By Unruly box office statistics, interpretation most successful Jet Li film as of Noble 2010 is Lethal Bat 4, which grossed care for $130 million domestically, make your mind up the second is The Expendables with over $103 million.^[101]Hero is the bag most successful foreign dialect film in the US,^[102] and one of depiction most critically acclaimed Li movies.^[103]Fearless is the 7th most successful foreign speech film of all age in the US.^[102] Be different an aggregated critical haul out of view, the suited acclaimed Li movie progression Fist of Legend (Rotten Tomatoes: 100%) and loftiness worst is The One (Rotten Tomatoes: 13%).^[103]

Awards folk tale nominations

See also

References