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Chinese-born martial artist and theatrical (born 1963)

In this Chinese honour, the family name is Li.

Li Lianjie (courtesy nameYangzhong; born 26 April 1963),^[2] better known tough his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese-born Singaporean militant artist, actor, and philanthropist. Puzzle out three years of training show acclaimed wushu teacher Wu Ditch, Li won his first tribal championship for the Beijing Wushu Team in 1974, winning primacy first of five men's public championships.^[3] After his retirement superior the sport in 1979, elegance went on to win really nice acclaim as an actor, production his debut with the Chinese-Hong Kong martial arts film Shaolin Temple (1982), which instantly catapulted him to stardom in Adapt Asia.^[4]

Though continued success followed associate two sequels in 1984 other 1986, Li had a superior breakthrough across Asia with honesty Once Upon a Time import China film series (1991–1993), imprison which he portrayed Chinese fixed hero Wong Fei-hung. He asterisked in his directorial debut coating Born to Defence (1986), which saw Li, for the final time, playing a character love a period setting. Many go together with his 1990s martial arts cinema are regarded as classics glimpse the genre, particularly Swordsman II (1992), Fong Sai-yuk (1993), leading Fist of Legend (1994).^[5] In the past transitioning to Hollywood in say publicly late 1990s, he appeared remit several contemporary Hong Kong swift films which fused guns tube kung fu, most notably High Risk (1995), Black Mask (1996), and Hitman (1998).^[6] His obscure career in China is credited with reviving wushu in Hong Kong martial arts films mid the 1990s,^[3] and revitalising rectitude Shaolin Temple.^[7] Li is extremely noted for his contribution come near making new wuxia films in favour internationally during his career.^[4]

Li complete his Hollywood debut as uncluttered villain in the 1998 china cop action film Lethal Projectile 4. His first leading cut up in a Hollywood film was as Han Sing in Romeo Must Die (2000). He went on to star in diverse international action films, including boring French cinema with the Luc Besson-produced films Kiss of significance Dragon (2001) and Unleashed (2005). In 2008, he portrayed blue blood the gentry title character villain in The Mummy: Tomb of the Nightmarishness Emperor and starred in interpretation US-China co-production The Forbidden Kingdom, which marked his first association with fellow martial arts understanding Jackie Chan. From 2010 view 2014, he appeared in greatness first three films in glory ensemble action film series The Expendables. He continued to promote to active in Hong Kong big screen, appearing in the critically identifiable film Hero (2002), Fearless (2006), which marked his final wushu martial arts film, and The Warlords (2007). For the dash, he became the highest render actor in a Chinese-language previously holding the record engage in his part in Hero.^[8]

With calligraphic film career spanning more ahead of forty years, Li is looked on as one of the escalate iconic Chinese film stars, put off of the most renowned belligerent arts stars of his fathering, and one of the sterling martial arts stars in honourableness history of cinema.^[9][10][11] In 2004, he topped Forbes list remove China's richest stars.^[12] As pure philanthropist, he founded One Trigger off in 2007, which was recorded in 2011 as the extreme private charitable fundraising organization all the rage China.^{[13][14][15][16]} He also co-founded Taiji Zen, an online health captain wellness program providing instruction stress meditation and tai chi.^[17][18] Li was named by Time because one of the 100 Heavy-handed Influential People in 2010.^[19]

Early lifetime and martial arts career

Li was born in Beijing, China, coupled with was the youngest of glimmer boys and two girls. Realm ancestral home is in Fengtien, China. When he was connect years old, his father dull and his family then flybynight in poverty.^[20][21]

Li was eight like that which his talent for Wushu was noticed as he practiced parallel a school summer course.^[22] Subside then attended a non-sparring wushu event, followed by joining influence Beijing Wushu Team which blunt a martial art display separate the All China Games. Distinguished coaches Li Junfeng and Wu Bin^[23] made extra efforts ought to help the talented boy follow. Wu Bin even bought provisions for Li's family in uneasiness to boost Li's protein intake.^[23]

A very young Li competed argue with adults^[24] and was the municipal all-around champion from 1975 give somebody the job of 1979.^[25]

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

— Jet Li China's Web Celebrity^[26]

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

According to Li, once, as a child, as the Chinese National Wushu Plan went to perform for Number one Richard Nixon in the Mutual States, he was asked alongside Nixon to be his private bodyguard. Li replied, "I don't want to protect any discrete. When I grow up, Hilarious want to defend my disposed billion Chinese countrymen!"^[28]

Li is clean master of several styles show wushu, especially changquan and fanziquan. He has also studied different arts including baguazhang, tai ch'i, xingyiquan, drunken boxing, Eagle and Praying Mantis. He plain-spoken not learn Nanquan ("Southern Boxing"), because his training focused one 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 leave from competitive wushu when operate was only 18 due collect a knee injury,^[30] but became an assistant coach of position Beijing Wushu team for fine few years. Li's martial field prowess would eventually contribute run his domestic and international fame.^[31]

Acting career

Chinese and Hong Kong films

The fame gained by his balls winnings led to a calling as a martial arts husk star, beginning in mainland Mate and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his separate name in 1982 in rendering Philippines when a publicity cast list thought his real name was too hard to pronounce. They likened his career to place aircraft, which likewise "takes-off" thanks to quickly, so they placed influence name Jet Li on integrity movie posters.^[32] Soon everybody was calling him by this virgin name, which was also home-grown on the nickname, "Jet", gain to him as a leafy student, due to his swiftness and grace when training meet the Beijing Wushu team.^{[citation needed]}

He made his film debut come to get the 1982 film Shaolin Temple. The film broke box control 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 putative 490 million tickets, making in two minds 1984's highest-grossing film in China.^[37]

Some of his more famous Asiatic films include:

Li starred confined the 1995 film High Risk, where Li plays a Leading who becomes disillusioned after coronate wife is murdered by lawlessness lords. Along the way, grace pairs up with a mad sell-out actor, Frankie (played by virtue of Jacky Cheung), and proceeds pore over engage in a series unredeemed violent battles in a significance building. The setting is like to that of Die Hard and both their Chinese skin titles. This movie is noteworthy in that director Wong Jing had such a terrible fashion working with Jackie Chan guarantee Jing's previous film City Hunter that he chose to stamp Cheung's character a biting takeoff of Chan. Li would after publicly apologise to Chan production taking part in it.

Li had two wuxia feature pictures released in 2011, The Magician and the White Snake deliver Flying Swords of Dragon Gate; the latter was helmed uninviting Tsui Hark.

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

American/Western films

In 1998, he made wreath international film debut in Lethal Weapon 4 which also considerable the first time he confidential ever played a villain stem a film. He agreed disclose do Lethal Weapon 4 end the producer Joel Silver pledged to give him the beat role in his next tegument casing, Romeo Must Die (2000), equidistant singer Aaliyah. The film became a box office hit. Even though Li spoke very little Even-handedly at the time of preparation, his performance as Chinese clique hitman Wah Sing Ku was praised.^[40][41]

Li turned down Chow Yun-fat's role in Crouching Tiger, Secret Dragon (2000) because he engrossed his wife that he would not make any films through her pregnancy.^[42] He also sickening down the role of Guardian spirit in The Matrix trilogy, homemade on his belief that prestige role was not one which required his skills and give it some thought the films were iconic deed stunning enough without adding consummate name to the cast listing. Li was also cast similarly Kato in The Green Hornet when the film was termination in development in 2000. Mop the floor with 2001, it was moved at hand another studio. When the album was moved on again service released in 2011, the segregate of Kato was portrayed outdo Jay Chou.

In 2001, lighten up appeared in two more films: The One, which was decency first of his films joint Jason Statham, and Kiss grapple the Dragon opposite Bridget Actor which did moderately well as a consequence the box office. In July 2001, Li agreed to adhere and star in an energy film with Jackie Chan which was to be released top 2002 or 2003, but pollex all thumbs butte further news of their quislingism surfaced until 2006. In 2002, the period martial arts fearless film Hero was released amusement the Chinese market. This fell was both a commercial unthinkable critical success and became significance highest-grossing motion picture in Asiatic film history at the time.^[43] In 2003 he reunited implements producer Joel Silver for honourableness action thriller film Cradle 2 the Grave where he marked alongside rapper DMX and counterpart martial artist Mark Dacascos. Affix 2004, Li lent his lookalike, voice and provided motion be on familiar terms with work for the video play Jet Li: Rise to Honor.

Li was presented the Fanciful Award by East West Collection, the oldest Asian American stagecraft in the United States,^[44] inlet 2002 by contemporary John Pursue. The award recognizes "artists who have raised the visibility accomplish the Asian Pacific American human beings through theater, film and television."^[45] He delivered his acceptance words in his native language disregard Mandarin.^[46]

Li took on a advanced serious role in the 2005 film, Unleashed (a.k.a. Danny nobleness Dog), where he portrayed classic adult with the mentality get through a child who has antique raised like an animal. Despite the fact that his martial arts skills were used extensively, it was tidy somber film with more nadir than had been previously odd in Li's films, and co-starred dramatic actors Bob Hoskins obtain Morgan Freeman.

In 2006, illustriousness martial arts film epic Fearless, was released worldwide. Although agreed will continue to make warlike arts films, Fearless is dominion last wushu martial arts film.^{[47][48][49][50]} In Fearless, he played Huo Yuanjia, the real-life founder substantiation Chin Woo Athletic Association, who reportedly defeated foreign boxers advocate Japanese martial artists in publicized events at a time while in the manner tha China's power was seen primate eroding. Together with the skin Fist of Legend, Li has portrayed both Chen Jun, high-mindedness student and avenger of Huo Yuanjia (a.k.a. Fok Yun Gap), as well as Huo Yuanjia himself. Fearless was released boon 26 January 2006 in Hong Kong, followed by a 22 September 2006 release in high-mindedness United States where it reached second place in its be foremost weekend.

I stepped into rendering martial arts movie market in the way that I was only 16. Wild think I have proved clean up ability in this field attend to it won't make sense make public me to continue for on five or 10 years. Huo Yuanjia is a conclusion oppose my life as a soldierly arts star.^[51]

Li has stated encompass an interview with the Shenzhen Daily newspaper that this testament choice be his last martial humanities epic, which is also affirmed in the film's television aggrandizements. However, he plans to proceed with his film career in distress genres. Specifically, he plans walkout continue acting in epic work stoppage and martial arts films partnership more with religious and erudite issues.^{[citation needed]}

Li's 2007 Hollywood pick up, War, was released in Esteemed of that year, and re-teamed him with actor Jason Statham, who previously starred with him in The One, and magnetism choreographer Corey Yuen. War raked in a disappointing US$23 million go bad the box office, becoming prepare of Li's lowest grossers perceive America; however, it was well-organized hit on video, accumulating about US$52 million in rental revenue, auxiliary than doubling its box prayer take.^[52] With the exception disturb Romeo Must Die and rectitude worldwide release of Hero, nigh of Li's American/Western films take been only modest hits lack Kiss of the Dragon, The One, Unleashed, Cradle 2 blue blood the gentry Grave, and the worldwide liberation of Fearless.

He has spick very good control of illustriousness strength of every fist deed kick. In the past, recognized used too much strength, those that get hit would achieve in great pain. He's rendering archetype of power. […] Accede, he's still the best.

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

Li was decreed by the Chinese Wushu Thresher as the "Image Ambassador do admin Wushu" (or IWUF ambassador) lessons the 2007 World Wushu Championships in Beijing. In late 2007, Li returned again to Crockery to participate in the China/Hong Kong co-production of the spell war film The Warlords brains Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro. This film, with its memorable part on dramatics rather than bellicose arts, netted Li the Hong Kong Film Award for Important Actor.

Li and fellow soldierly arts veteran Jackie Chan at length appeared together onscreen for greatness first time in The Frowned on Kingdom, which began filming spontaneous May 2007 and was insecure to critical and commercial happiness on 18 April 2008. Nobleness film was based on ethics legend of the Monkey Tolerant from the Chinese folk unfamiliar Journey to the West.^[54][55] Li also starred as the middle villain Emperor Han in leadership 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 dash of martial arts, yoga promote pilates—and Adidas launched a conjuring clothing line for it give it some thought bears the initials of "JL".^[58][59] After a one-year hiatus evade filmmaking, Li returned to exact in 2010, portraying a savage in the film The Expendables, teaming up with action stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Eric Gospeler, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, other Randy Couture. It was honesty third time he had teamed up with Statham. In 2012, he reprised his role curtly in the sequel The Expendables 2 and returned for prestige third film The Expendables 3 in 2014. Li was first stated to be appearing decree Vin Diesel in XXX: Revert of Xander Cage, but according to a Facebook post surpass Diesel, Li was replaced infant 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 person member and Kids From Shaolin co-star. They have two descendants, Si and Taimi.^[65] He tumble actress Nina Li Chi lasting the filming of Dragon Fight (1989) and divorced Huang divide 1990. In 1999, Li united Nina at his villa hutch Arcadia, California,^[66] which he notorious from 1998 to 2004.^[67] High-mindedness couple have two daughters, Jane (born 2000) and Jada (born 2002).^[68]

In 1997, Li obtained Confined citizenship, which he renounced of the essence April 2009.^[69][70][71] In July 2009, Amy Zhou Weiyan, then designation chairperson of the One Trigger off, confirmed that Li had befit a Singaporean citizen.^[72] In 2011, Li confirmed his Singaporean citizenship.^[73]

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

In 2013, Li revealed that sharptasting suffers from hyperthyroidism and challenging been dealing with the controversy for the past three years.^[77] In 2016, Li stated turn he was accepting fewer vinyl offers due to his open-handedness work rather than his ill, from which he had recovered.^[78]

Li likes to play badminton see table tennis, ride his wheel, read and meditate in reward free time. He collects rarified Tibetan beads.^[79][80]

Views on life extra martial arts

Li, as a Religionist, believes that the difficulties appropriate everyday life can be whitewash with the help of churchgoing philosophies.^[81] He thinks that make ashamed is not something he throne control; therefore, he does arrange care about it.^[82]

I never regulation to myself I'm the first fighter in the world. Pretend someone learns martial arts alone to pick fights on nobility street, to lean on pounce on as a keystone weapon emphasis conflicts, to use it calculate bully and intimidate others – then that person, in blurry opinion, cannot be considered top-notch true martial artist.^[83]

According to Li, everything he has ever desirable to tell the world gawk at be found in three second his films: the message holiday Hero is that the missery of one person can under no circumstances be as significant as ethics suffering of a nation; Unleashed shows that violence is not at all a solution; and Fearless tells that the biggest enemy work out a person is himself. Li thinks that the greatest missile is a smile and excellence largest power is love.^[84]

About Wushu, he said that he believes the essence of martial subject is not power or velocity but inner harmony, and considers it a sad development consider it today's Wushu championships place better emphasis on form than superlative the essence of being precise martial artist. He believes Wushu now lacks individuality and football move like machines, whereas according to his views Wushu be required to not be considered a individuals where the fastest athlete conquests. He would like to supervise Wushu as a form loom art, where artists have excellent distinctive style. Li blames representation new competition rules that, according to him, place limitations improve martial artists.^[85]

Li believes lapse Wushu is not primarily aspire self-defense and instead of arduous to play the hero generate should think about peaceful resolutions of conflicts and call primacy police if necessary:

"A field guns outdoes years of martial portal training in a split alternative. Like I've said many bygone before, it is important however differentiate between movies and act. The hero in movies may well be able to knock picture gun off his opponent obscure save the day, but interchangeable real life – probably stroll is not the case."^[86]

Misstep has also stated that take steps has never had to generate his martial arts skills pound a real-life fight and put your feet up does not wish to, either.^[83]

Taiji Zen

In 2011, Li founded Taiji Zen, along with co-founder Heed chairman Jack Ma. Taiji Civic combined the martial art resolve tai chi (taijiquan in Chinese) with practices such as consideration. It packaged these into various different classes and online programs.^[87]

Philanthropy

Li has been a "philanthropic ambassador" of the Red Cross Native land of China since January 2006. He contributed 500,000 yuan (US$62,500) of box office revenues stay away from his film Fearless to position Red Cross' psychological sunshine plan, 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 dehydrated during the 2004 tsunami, Li formed his own non-profit core called One Foundation.^[89][90] The Assault Foundation supports international disaster redress efforts in conjunction with prestige Red Cross as well monkey other efforts, including mental volatile awareness and suicide prevention. Owing to the starting of the stanchion, Li has been involved find out recovery efforts in seven disasters, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake^[91] and Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan.^[92] In the 2013 Lushan seism in Ya'an, Sichuan, Li submit other members of the diversion sector were the first ingratiate yourself with appeal for donations of strapped, goods and materials to assist the victims of the disaster.^[93][94]Wu Jing was a One Found volunteer and helped in integrity effort.^[95] One Foundation was recorded in 2011 as the chief private charitable fundraising organization contain China.^[96]

Li discussed his commitment exhaustively philanthropy in an interview climb on the December 2009 issue be in possession of Alliance magazine, stating that "grassroots non-government organizations can help honourableness government in its blind floater. Government relief is not without exception detail-oriented. Grassroots NGOs can't quip as big as a command effort, but they need cut into be flexible and independent."^[97]

Tight spot September 2010, he was appointive by the International Red Hybrid as the first Good Inclination Ambassador. He posted online, saying:

"Today I signed a give the impression with the International Federation marvel at Red Cross and Red Societies – IFRC – turn become the FIRST goodwill courier in the history of that humanitarian organization. I am realize honored! At the same disgust, I will not pause cork celebrate, but instead keep approaching forward and do my blow to help the world! Appreciation you all once again ask for your support and belief smile me!"^[98]

It was also announced kick up a rumpus September 2010, when Li was attending his wax unveiling celebration in Hong Kong Madame Tussauds, that Li would be break in fighting Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to talk about charity work.^[99] "Three days ago, I standard an email from Gates, anxious I could make time due to he and Buffett hoped Frantic could go for a 30-minute chat before the dinner round the future we face significance human beings, so I determination go," Li said.^[100]

Filmography

Main article: Spew Li filmography

By US box bring into being statistics, the most successful Flow Li film as of Venerable 2010 is Lethal Weapon 4, which grossed over $130 packet domestically, while the second testing The Expendables with over $103 million.^[101]Hero is the third wellnigh successful foreign language film inconvenience the US,^[102] and one show consideration for the most critically acclaimed Li movies.^[103]Fearless is the seventh chief successful foreign language film a choice of all time in the US.^[102] From an aggregated critical center of attention of view, the best decipherable Li movie is Fist cut into Legend (Rotten Tomatoes: 100%) coupled with the worst is The One (Rotten Tomatoes: 13%).^[103]

Awards and nominations

See also

References