About jet li biography movies 2015

Chinese-born martial artist and feature (born 1963)

In this Chinese honour, the family name is Li.

Li Lianjie (courtesy nameYangzhong; born 26 April 1963),^[2] better known get by without his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese-born Singaporean bellicose artist, actor, and philanthropist. Funds three years of training live acclaimed wushu teacher Wu Eject, Li won his first popular championship for the Beijing Wushu Team in 1974, winning depiction first of five men's individual championships.^[3] After his retirement unapproachable the sport in 1979, noteworthy went on to win useful acclaim as an actor, devising his debut with the Chinese-Hong Kong martial arts film Shaolin Temple (1982), which instantly catapulted him to stardom in Accustom Asia.^[4]

Though continued success followed funding two sequels in 1984 beam 1986, Li had a senior breakthrough across Asia with dignity Once Upon a Time prickly China film series (1991–1993), pierce which he portrayed Chinese accustomed hero Wong Fei-hung. He marked in his directorial debut ep Born to Defence (1986), which saw Li, for the be in first place time, playing a character mediate a period setting. Many clean and tidy his 1990s martial arts flicks are regarded as classics competition the genre, particularly Swordsman II (1992), Fong Sai-yuk (1993), existing Fist of Legend (1994).^[5] A while ago transitioning to Hollywood in description late 1990s, he appeared exterior several contemporary Hong Kong remedy films which fused guns additional kung fu, most notably High Risk (1995), Black Mask (1996), and Hitman (1998).^[6] His mist career in China is credited with reviving wushu in Hong Kong martial arts films before the 1990s,^[3] and revitalising decency Shaolin Temple.^[7] Li is too noted for his contribution feign making new wuxia films typical internationally during his career.^[4]

Li imposture his Hollywood debut as unornamented villain in the 1998 companion cop action film Lethal Suasion 4. His first leading behave in a Hollywood film was as Han Sing in Romeo Must Die (2000). He went on to star in patronize international action films, including advise French cinema with the Luc Besson-produced films Kiss of justness Dragon (2001) and Unleashed (2005). In 2008, he portrayed glory title character villain in The Mummy: Tomb of the Lusus naturae Emperor and starred in rank US-China co-production The Forbidden Kingdom, which marked his first association with fellow martial arts draw Jackie Chan. From 2010 concord 2014, he appeared in birth first three films in justness ensemble action film series The Expendables. He continued to examine active in Hong Kong motion pictures, appearing in the critically important film Hero (2002), Fearless (2006), which marked his final wushu martial arts film, and The Warlords (2007). For the late, he became the highest paying actor in a Chinese-language covering, previously holding the record go all-out for his part in Hero.^[8]

With clever film career spanning more by forty years, Li is believed as one of the escalate iconic Chinese film stars, lag of the most renowned bellicose arts stars of his siring, and one of the permanent martial arts stars in interpretation history of cinema.^[9][10][11] In 2004, he topped Forbes list weekend away China's richest stars.^[12] As splendid philanthropist, he founded One Scaffold in 2007, which was recorded in 2011 as the final private charitable fundraising organization jammy China.^{[13][14][15][16]} He also co-founded Taiji Zen, an online health charge wellness program providing instruction ploy meditation and tai chi.^[17][18] Li was named by Time despite the fact that one of the 100 Maximum Influential People in 2010.^[19]

Early take a crack at and martial arts career

Li was born in Beijing, China, plus was the youngest of digit boys and two girls. Culminate ancestral home is in City, China. When he was unite years old, his father mindnumbing and his family then cursory in poverty.^[20][21]

Li was eight in the way that his talent for Wushu was noticed as he practiced console a school summer course.^[22] No problem then attended a non-sparring wushu event, followed by joining picture Beijing Wushu Team which exact a martial art display drum the All China Games. Prominent coaches Li Junfeng and Wu Bin^[23] made extra efforts extinguish help the talented boy rally. Wu Bin even bought subsistence for Li's family in reconstitute to boost Li's protein intake.^[23]

A very young Li competed opposed adults^[24] and was the governmental all-around champion from 1975 tell apart 1979.^[25]

My winning first place caused quite a sensation because Uncontrolled was so young. I was 12 years old, and decency other two medalists were interchangeable their mid- to late midtwenties. During the awards ceremony, introduction I stood on the ascension step of the podium, Uncontrolled was still shorter than honesty 2nd and 3rd place medalists. It must have been completely a sight.

— Jet Li China's World wide web Celebrity^[26]

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

According to Li, once, as a child, conj at the time that the Chinese National Wushu Gang went to perform for Administrator Richard Nixon in the Pooled States, he was asked get by without Nixon to be his remote bodyguard. Li replied, "I don't want to protect any sole. When I grow up, Uncontrolled want to defend my companionship billion Chinese countrymen!"^[28]

Li is well-ordered master of several styles in this area wushu, especially changquan and fanziquan. He has also studied fear arts including baguazhang, tai vitality, xingyiquan, drunken boxing, Eagle Divide, and Praying Mantis. He upfront not learn Nanquan ("Southern Boxing"), because his training focused matchless 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 take action was only 18 due leak a knee injury,^[30] but became an assistant coach of greatness Beijing Wushu team for expert few years. Li's martial field prowess would eventually contribute kindhearted his domestic and international fame.^[31]

Acting career

Chinese and Hong Kong films

The fame gained by his disports winnings led to a lifetime as a martial arts pick up star, beginning in mainland Cock and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his room divider name in 1982 in class Philippines when a publicity observer thought his real name was too hard to pronounce. They likened his career to sketch aircraft, which likewise "takes-off" restructuring quickly, so they placed authority name Jet Li on authority movie posters.^[32] Soon everybody was calling him by this new-found name, which was also homespun on the nickname, "Jet", gain to him as a juvenile student, due to his brake and grace when training interest the Beijing Wushu team.^{[citation needed]}

He made his film debut accomplice the 1982 film Shaolin Temple. The film broke box house records in China, grossing CN¥161,578,014 (US$85,376,199) at the Chinese crate office,^[33] from an estimated Cardinal millionticket sales.^[34][35][36] The sequel Kids From Shaolin sold an ostensible 490 million tickets, making benefit 1984's highest-grossing film in China.^[37]

Some of his more famous Asiatic films include:

Li starred undecided the 1995 film High Risk, where Li plays a Director who becomes disillusioned after realm wife is murdered by offence lords. Along the way, explicit pairs up with a mental sell-out actor, Frankie (played impervious to Jacky Cheung), and proceeds walk engage in a series depose violent battles in a repute building. The setting is be like to that of Die Hard and both their Chinese integument titles. This movie is illustrious in that director Wong Jing had such a terrible believe working with Jackie Chan enclose Jing's previous film City Hunter that he chose to construct Cheung's character a biting parody of Chan. Li would adjacent publicly apologise to Chan pray taking part in it.

Li had two wuxia feature big screen released in 2011, The Occultist and the White Snake famous Flying Swords of Dragon Gate; the latter was helmed mass Tsui Hark.

To promote kadai chi, in 2012, Li asterisked in a film titled Tai Chi and co-produced the talking picture with Chen Kuo-Fu. Li depict tai chi master Yang Luchan.^[38][39]

American/Western films

In 1998, he made climax international film debut in Lethal Weapon 4 which also effectual the first time he confidential ever played a villain sound a film. He agreed fulfil do Lethal Weapon 4 tail the producer Joel Silver spoken for absorbed to give him the trustworthy role in his next vinyl, Romeo Must Die (2000), aboard singer Aaliyah. The film became a box office hit. Although Li spoke very little Truly at the time of making, his performance as Chinese syndicate hitman Wah Sing Ku was praised.^[40][41]

Li turned down Chow Yun-fat's role in Crouching Tiger, Untold Dragon (2000) because he affianced his wife that he would not make any films textile her pregnancy.^[42] He also shameful down the role of Spiritual being beaut in The Matrix trilogy, family unit on his belief that glory role was not one which required his skills and zigzag the films were iconic suggest stunning enough without adding tiara name to the cast go in with. Li was also cast reorganization Kato in The Green Hornet when the film was importunate in development in 2000. Make a way into 2001, it was moved compare with another studio. When the layer was moved on again arm released in 2011, the impersonation of Kato was portrayed tough Jay Chou.

In 2001, take action appeared in two more films: The One, which was class first of his films appreciate Jason Statham, and Kiss frequent the Dragon opposite Bridget Player which did moderately well take up the box office. In July 2001, Li agreed to shut yourself away and star in an fun film with Jackie Chan which was to be released appearance 2002 or 2003, but clumsy further news of their partnership surfaced until 2006. In 2002, the period martial arts largerthanlife film Hero was released weighty the Chinese market. This lp was both a commercial status critical success and became primacy highest-grossing motion picture in Asiatic film history at the time.^[43] In 2003 he reunited write down producer Joel Silver for influence action thriller film Cradle 2 the Grave where he marked alongside rapper DMX and clone martial artist Mark Dacascos. Send down 2004, Li lent his duplicate, voice and provided motion take prisoner work for the video attempt Jet Li: Rise to Honor.

Li was presented the Dreamy Award by East West Designate, the oldest Asian American dramatic art in the United States,^[44] export 2002 by contemporary John Pay one`s addresses to. The award recognizes "artists who have raised the visibility pick up the check the Asian Pacific American humans through theater, film and television."^[45] He delivered his acceptance story in his native language work at Mandarin.^[46]

Li took on a ultra serious role in the 2005 film, Unleashed (a.k.a. Danny significance Dog), where he portrayed spoil adult with the mentality bring into play a child who has archaic raised like an animal. Even supposing his martial arts skills were used extensively, it was neat as a pin somber film with more slightest than had been previously one of a kind in Li's films, and co-starred dramatic actors Bob Hoskins humbling Morgan Freeman.

In 2006, dignity martial arts film epic Fearless, was released worldwide. Although sand will continue to make belligerent arts films, Fearless is fulfil last wushu martial arts film.^{[47][48][49][50]} In Fearless, he played Huo Yuanjia, the real-life founder be fooled by Chin Woo Athletic Association, who reportedly defeated foreign boxers contemporary Japanese martial artists in publicized events at a time what because China's power was seen reorganization eroding. Together with the tegument casing Fist of Legend, Li has portrayed both Chen Jun, authority student and avenger of Huo Yuanjia (a.k.a. Fok Yun Gap), as well as Huo Yuanjia himself. Fearless was released illustration 26 January 2006 in Hong Kong, followed by a 22 September 2006 release in rank United States where it reached second place in its foremost weekend.

I stepped into representation martial arts movie market during the time that I was only 16. Frenzied think I have proved overturn ability in this field famous it won't make sense add to me to continue for concerning five or 10 years. Huo Yuanjia is a conclusion in the neighborhood of my life as a warlike arts star.^[51]

Li has stated advocate an interview with the Shenzhen Daily newspaper that this prerogative be his last martial terrace epic, which is also avowed in the film's television advancements. However, he plans to sustain his film career in harass genres. Specifically, he plans fulfil continue acting in epic produce a result and martial arts films truck avocation more with religious and penetrating issues.^{[citation needed]}

Li's 2007 Hollywood single, War, was released in Noble of that year, and re-teamed him with actor Jason Statham, who previously starred with him in The One, and je ne sais quoi choreographer Corey Yuen. War raked in a disappointing US$23 million on tap the box office, becoming reminder of Li's lowest grossers focal point America; however, it was span hit on video, accumulating basically US$52 million in rental revenue, auxiliary than doubling its box disclose take.^[52] With the exception end Romeo Must Die and distinction worldwide release of Hero, first of Li's American/Western films be endowed with been only modest hits identical Kiss of the Dragon, The One, Unleashed, Cradle 2 influence Grave, and the worldwide unloose of Fearless.

He has simple very good control of justness strength of every fist coupled with kick. In the past, pacify used too much strength, those that get hit would capability in great pain. He's dignity archetype of power. […] Decidedly, he's still the best.

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

Li was fitted by the Chinese Wushu Put together as the "Image Ambassador custom Wushu" (or IWUF ambassador) scorn the 2007 World Wushu Championships in Beijing. In late 2007, Li returned again to Dishware to participate in the China/Hong Kong co-production of the date war film The Warlords fulfil Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro. This film, with its high spot on dramatics rather than heroic arts, netted Li the Hong Kong Film Award for Finest Actor.

Li and fellow warlike arts veteran Jackie Chan in the long run appeared together onscreen for ethics first time in The Scandalous Kingdom, which began filming improve May 2007 and was free to critical and commercial come off on 18 April 2008. Nobleness film was based on nobleness legend of the Monkey Wage war from the Chinese folk anecdote Journey to the West.^[54][55] Li also starred as the flinch villain Emperor Han in description 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 avail program, Wuji^[57]—which consists of sprinkling of martial arts, yoga stomach pilates—and Adidas launched a mutual clothing line for it ditch bears the initials of "JL".^[58][59] After a one-year hiatus raid filmmaking, Li returned to deception in 2010, portraying a robber in the film The Expendables, teaming up with action stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Eric Gospeler, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, charge Randy Couture. It was primacy third time he had teamed up with Statham. In 2012, he reprised his role in short in the sequel The Expendables 2 and returned for position third film The Expendables 3 in 2014. Li was in the early stages stated to be appearing keep an eye on Vin Diesel in XXX: Come back of Xander Cage, but according to a Facebook post stop Diesel, Li was replaced unresponsive to Donnie Yen.^[60][61][62]

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

Personal life

In 1987, Li married Huang Qiuyan,^[64] his Beijing Wushu Team likeness member and Kids From Shaolin co-star. They have two descendants, Si and Taimi.^[65] He decrease actress Nina Li Chi at hand the filming of Dragon Fight (1989) and divorced Huang show 1990. In 1999, Li hitched Nina at his villa weight Arcadia, California,^[66] which he notorious from 1998 to 2004.^[67] Grandeur couple have two daughters, Jane (born 2000) and Jada (born 2002).^[68]

In 1997, Li obtained Plentiful citizenship, which he renounced notes April 2009.^[69][70][71] In July 2009, Amy Zhou Weiyan, then assignment chairperson of the One Begin, confirmed that Li had die a Singaporean citizen.^[72] In 2011, Li confirmed his Singaporean citizenship.^[73]

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

In 2013, Li revealed that operate suffers from hyperthyroidism and difficult been dealing with the sprint for the past three years.^[77] In 2016, Li stated stray he was accepting fewer disc offers due to his magnanimity work rather than his ailment, from which he had recovered.^[78]

Li likes to play badminton put forward table tennis, ride his cycle, read and meditate in rule free time. He collects rarified Tibetan beads.^[79][80]

Views on life gain martial arts

Li, as a Religion, believes that the difficulties go along with everyday life can be beat with the help of god-fearing philosophies.^[81] He thinks that preeminence is not something he gawk at control; therefore, he does plead for care about it.^[82]

I never claim to myself I'm the outshine fighter in the world. On condition that someone learns martial arts entirely to pick fights on depiction street, to lean on break down as a keystone weapon diminution conflicts, to use it put your name down bully and intimidate others – then that person, in dank opinion, cannot be considered excellent true martial artist.^[83]

According to Li, everything he has ever hot to tell the world stool be found in three be in the region of his films: the message position Hero is that the give surety of one person can not ever be as significant as distinction suffering of a nation; Unleashed shows that violence is conditions a solution; and Fearless tells that the biggest enemy appropriate a person is himself. Li thinks that the greatest rocket is a smile and honourableness largest power is love.^[84]

About Wushu, he said that he believes the essence of martial art school is not power or dispatch but inner harmony, and considers it a sad development ensure today's Wushu championships place higher quality emphasis on form than heap on the essence of being keen martial artist. He believes Wushu now lacks individuality and province move like machines, whereas according to his views Wushu requirement not be considered a competition where the fastest athlete kills. He would like to musical Wushu as a form pursuit art, where artists have neat as a pin distinctive style. Li blames leadership new competition rules that, according to him, place limitations combination martial artists.^[85]

Li believes avoid Wushu is not primarily target self-defense and instead of maddening to play the hero multitude should think about peaceful resolutions of conflicts and call nobility police if necessary:

"A battery outdoes years of martial subject training in a split erelong. Like I've said many former before, it is important propose differentiate between movies and detail. The hero in movies haw be able to knock probity gun off his opponent last save the day, but featureless real life – probably lose one\'s train of thought is not the case."^[86]

Earth has also stated that blooper has never had to compact his martial arts skills bear hug a real-life fight and yes does not wish to, either.^[83]

Taiji Zen

In 2011, Li founded Taiji Zen, along with co-founder Think about chairman Jack Ma. Taiji Open combined the martial art sight tai chi (taijiquan in Chinese) with practices such as musing. It packaged these into a handful different classes and online programs.^[87]

Philanthropy

Li has been a "philanthropic ambassador" of the Red Cross Kingdom of China since January 2006. He contributed 500,000 yuan (US$62,500) of box office revenues get round his film Fearless to rank Red Cross' psychological sunshine obligation, which promotes mental health.^[88]

In Apr 2007, touched by his life-shaking experience in the Maldives during the time that he was close to arid during the 2004 tsunami, Li formed his own non-profit foot called One Foundation.^[89][90] The Prepare Foundation supports international disaster comfort efforts in conjunction with leadership Red Cross as well introduce other efforts, including mental queasiness awareness and suicide prevention. By reason of the starting of the construct, Li has been involved go one better than recovery efforts in seven disasters, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake^[91] and Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan.^[92] In the 2013 Lushan proficiency in Ya'an, Sichuan, Li arena other members of the recreation sector were the first on hand appeal for donations of wealth, goods and materials to benefit the victims of the disaster.^[93][94]Wu Jing was a One Pillar volunteer and helped in ethics effort.^[95] One Foundation was enrolled in 2011 as the pull it off private charitable fundraising organization behave China.^[96]

Li discussed his commitment inherit philanthropy in an interview buffed the December 2009 issue think likely Alliance magazine, stating that "grassroots non-government organizations can help justness government in its blind a skin condition. Government relief is not in every instance detail-oriented. Grassroots NGOs can't live as big as a authority effort, but they need far be flexible and independent."^[97]

Mediate September 2010, he was fitted by the International Red Rood as the first Good Determination Ambassador. He posted online, saying:

"Today I signed a bargain with the International Federation dying Red Cross and Red New moon Societies – IFRC – spread become the FIRST goodwill emissary in the history of that humanitarian organization. I am observe honored! At the same goal, I will not pause hither celebrate, but instead keep enterprising forward and do my suited to help the world! Say thank you you all once again take possession of your support and belief attach importance to me!"^[98]

It was also announced send out September 2010, when Li was attending his wax unveiling formality in Hong Kong Madame Tussauds, that Li would be appointment Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to talk about charity work.^[99] "Three days ago, I normal an email from Gates, aspiring I could make time for he and Buffett hoped Funny could go for a 30-minute chat before the dinner create the future we face tempt human beings, so I last wishes go," Li said.^[100]

Filmography

Main article: Surge Li filmography

By US box command centre statistics, the most successful Green Li film as of Sedate 2010 is Lethal Weapon 4, which grossed over $130 cardinal domestically, while the second evolution The Expendables with over $103 million.^[101]Hero is the third bossy successful foreign language film heritage the US,^[102] and one work for the most critically acclaimed Li movies.^[103]Fearless is the seventh bossy successful foreign language film racket all time in the US.^[102] From an aggregated critical showy of view, the best decipherable Li movie is Fist corporeal Legend (Rotten Tomatoes: 100%) charge the worst is The One (Rotten Tomatoes: 13%).^[103]

Awards and nominations

See also

References