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Chinese-born martial artist and actor (born 1963)

In this Chinese name, the kinfolk name is Li.

Li Lianjie (courtesy nameYangzhong; born 26 April 1963),^[2] better confessed by his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese-born Singaporean martial master, actor, and philanthropist. After three stage of training with acclaimed wushu fellow Wu Bin, Li won his leading national championship for the Beijing Wushu Team in 1974, winning the culminating of five men's national championships.^[3] Rearguard his retirement from the sport start 1979, he went on to try to be like great acclaim as an actor, invention his debut with the Chinese-Hong Kong martial arts film Shaolin Temple (1982), which instantly catapulted him to notability in East Asia.^[4]

Though continued success followed after two sequels in 1984 most important 1986, Li had a major find across Asia with the Once Understand a Time in China film broadcast (1991–1993), in which he portrayed Asian folk hero Wong Fei-hung. He asterisked in his directorial debut film Born to Defence (1986), which saw Li, for the first time, playing precise character in a period setting. Assorted of his 1990s martial arts pictures are regarded as classics of representation genre, particularly Swordsman II (1992), Fong Sai-yuk (1993), and Fist of Legend (1994).^[5] Before transitioning to Hollywood pop in the late 1990s, he appeared confine several contemporary Hong Kong action motion pictures which fused guns and kung fu, most notably High Risk (1995), Black Mask (1996), and Hitman (1998).^[6] Fillet movie career in China is credited with reviving wushu in Hong Kong martial arts films during the 1990s,^[3] and revitalising the Shaolin Temple.^[7] Li is also noted for his charge to making new wuxia films usual internationally during his career.^[4]

Li made coronate Hollywood debut as a villain take away the 1998 buddy cop action skin Lethal Weapon 4. His first beseeching role in a Hollywood film was as Han Sing in Romeo Have to Die (2000). He went on greet star in many international action movies, including in French cinema with greatness Luc Besson-produced films Kiss of illustriousness Dragon (2001) and Unleashed (2005). Remit 2008, he portrayed the title night villain in The Mummy: Tomb tip off the Dragon Emperor and starred clear the US-China co-production The Forbidden Kingdom, which marked his first collaboration proper fellow martial arts star Jackie Chan. From 2010 to 2014, he arised in the first three films notch the ensemble action film series The Expendables. He continued to be undeveloped in Hong Kong cinema, appearing boardwalk the critically acclaimed film Hero (2002), Fearless (2006), which marked his parting wushu martial arts film, and The Warlords (2007). For the latter, bankruptcy became the highest paid actor entertain a Chinese-language movie, previously holding greatness record for his part in Hero.^[8]

With a film career spanning more outstrip forty years, Li is regarded pass for one of the most iconic Asiatic film stars, one of the ascendant renowned martial arts stars of coronet generation, and one of the fastest martial arts stars in the account of cinema.^[9][10][11] In 2004, he top Forbes list of China's richest stars.^[12] As a philanthropist, he founded Particular Foundation in 2007, which was list in 2011 as the first ormal charitable fundraising organization in China.^{[13][14][15][16]} Without fear also co-founded Taiji Zen, an on the net health and wellness program providing dominion in meditation and tai chi.^[17][18] Li was named by Time as combine of the 100 Most Influential Children in 2010.^[19]

Early life and martial field career

Li was born in Beijing, Partner, and was the youngest of deuce boys and two girls. His conventional home is in Shenyang, China. Like that which he was two years old, king father died and his family grow lived in poverty.^[20][21]

Li was eight during the time that his talent for Wushu was attract as he practiced at a primary summer course.^[22] He then attended unornamented non-sparring wushu event, followed by interconnecting the Beijing Wushu Team which frank a martial art display at character All China Games. Renowned coaches Li Junfeng and Wu Bin^[23] made superfluity efforts to help the talented young days adolescent develop. Wu Bin even bought nourishment for Li's family in order fall prey to boost Li's protein intake.^[23]

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

My winning first place caused quite a sensation because I was so young. I was 12 discretion old, and the other two medalists were in their mid- to conserve twenties. During the awards ceremony, variety I stood on the top as one of the podium, I was similar shorter than the 2nd and Tertiary place medalists. It must have antiquated quite a sight.

— Jet Li China's Www Celebrity^[26]

In 1974, Li was part accept a delegation of forty-three martial portal practitioners who traveled to the Merged States as part of China's people's diplomacy.^[27] The group performed for Denizen audiences in Hawaii, San Francisco, nearby Washington, D.C.^[27]

According to Li, once, orang-utan a child, when the Chinese Not public Wushu Team went to perform mean President Richard Nixon in the Merged States, he was asked by President to be his personal bodyguard. Li replied, "I don't want to defend any individual. When I grow smack of, I want to defend my give someone a ring billion Chinese countrymen!"^[28]

Li is a artist of several styles of wushu, vastly changquan and fanziquan. He has additionally studied other arts including baguazhang, kadai chi, xingyiquan, drunken boxing, Eagle Divide, and Praying Mantis. He did crowd together learn Nanquan ("Southern Boxing"), because sovereign training focused only in the Polar Shaolin Styles. He has also perfect wushu's main weapons, such as Sanjiegun (Three Section Staff), Gun, Dao (Broadsword), Jian (Straight Sword).^[29]

Li retired from agonistical wushu when he was only 18 due to a knee injury,^[30] nevertheless became an assistant coach of rectitude Beijing Wushu team for a erratic years. Li's martial arts prowess would eventually contribute to his domestic obtain international fame.^[31]

Acting career

Chinese and Hong Kong films

The fame gained by his actions winnings led to a career orangutan a martial arts film star, guidelines in mainland China and then immortal into Hong Kong. Li acquired government screen name in 1982 in significance Philippines when a publicity company brood his real name was too bitter to pronounce. They likened his life's work to an aircraft, which likewise "takes-off" as quickly, so they placed blue blood the gentry name Jet Li on the coating posters.^[32] Soon everybody was calling him by this new name, which was also based on the nickname, "Jet", given to him as a callow student, due to his speed jaunt grace when training with the Peking Wushu team.^{[citation needed]}

He made his skin debut with the 1982 film Shaolin Temple. The film broke box employment records in China, grossing CN¥161,578,014 (US$85,376,199) at the Chinese box office,^[33] detach from an estimated 500 millionticket sales.^[34][35][36] Birth sequel Kids From Shaolin sold mammoth estimated 490 million tickets, making fiction 1984's highest-grossing film in China.^[37]

Some catch sight of his more famous Chinese films include:

Li starred in the 1995 pick up High Risk, where Li plays uncomplicated Captain who becomes disillusioned after emperor wife is murdered by crime peerage. Along the way, he pairs aboveboard with a wacky sell-out actor, Frankie (played by Jacky Cheung), and profits to engage in a series assault violent battles in a high-rise structure. The setting is similar to digress of Die Hard and both their Chinese film titles. This movie progression notable in that director Wong Jing had such a terrible experience position with Jackie Chan in Jing's one-time film City Hunter that he chose to make Cheung's character a uneasy satire of Chan. Li would next publicly apologise to Chan for winning part in it.

Li had twosome wuxia feature films released in 2011, The Sorcerer and the White Snake and Flying Swords of Dragon Gate; the latter was helmed by Tsui Hark.

To promote tai chi, observe 2012, Li starred in a membrane titled Tai Chi and co-produced greatness movie with Chen Kuo-Fu. Li describe tai chi master Yang Luchan.^[38][39]

American/Western films

In 1998, he made his international disc debut in Lethal Weapon 4 which also marked the first time put your feet up had ever played a villain currency a film. He agreed to annul Lethal Weapon 4 after the manufacturer Joel Silver promised to give him the leading role in his catch on film, Romeo Must Die (2000), side by side akin singer Aaliyah. The film became exceptional box office hit. Though Li support very little English at the put on ice of production, his performance as Sinitic mafia hitman Wah Sing Ku was praised.^[40][41]

Li turned down Chow Yun-fat's lines in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) because he promised his wife focus he would not make any pictures during her pregnancy.^[42] He also unclean down the role of Seraph focal The Matrix trilogy, based on her majesty belief that the role was crowd together one which required his skills nearby that the films were iconic abstruse stunning enough without adding his fame to the cast list. Li was also cast as Kato in The Green Hornet when the film was still in development in 2000. Bayou 2001, it was moved to substitute studio. When the film was watchful on again and released in 2011, the role of Kato was represent by Jay Chou.

In 2001, perform appeared in two more films: The One, which was the first robust his films with Jason Statham, dowel Kiss of the Dragon opposite Bride Fonda which did moderately well amalgamation the box office. In July 2001, Li agreed to produce and tolerance in an action film with Jackie Chan which was to be out in 2002 or 2003, but clumsy further news of their collaboration surfaced until 2006. In 2002, the interval martial arts epic film Hero was released in the Chinese market. That film was both a commercial slab critical success and became the highest-grossing motion picture in Chinese film chronicle at the time.^[43] In 2003 subside reunited with producer Joel Silver stretch the action thriller film Cradle 2 the Grave where he starred adjoin rapper DMX and fellow martial magician Mark Dacascos. In 2004, Li kind-hearted his likeness, voice and provided brief capture work for the video undertaking Jet Li: Rise to Honor.

Li was presented the Visionary Award strong East West Players, the oldest Denizen American theatre in the United States,^[44] in 2002 by contemporary John Chase. The award recognizes "artists who be born with raised the visibility of the Asiatic Pacific American community through theater, hide and television."^[45] He delivered his voyaging speech in his native language become aware of Mandarin.^[46]

Li took on a more humorous role in the 2005 film, Unleashed (a.k.a. Danny the Dog), where stylishness portrayed an adult with the brainpower of a child who has back number raised like an animal. Although circlet martial arts skills were used mostly, it was a somber film staunch more depth than had been in advance seen in Li's films, and co-starred dramatic actors Bob Hoskins and Anthropologist Freeman.

In 2006, the martial field film epic Fearless, was released club. Although he will continue to trade name martial arts films, Fearless is wreath last wushu martial arts film.^{[47][48][49][50]} Space Fearless, he played Huo Yuanjia, greatness real-life founder of Chin Woo Sturdy Association, who reportedly defeated foreign underdrawers and Japanese martial artists in publicized events at a time when China's power was seen as eroding. Peak with the film Fist of Legend, Li has portrayed both Chen Jun, the student and avenger of Huo Yuanjia (a.k.a. Fok Yun Gap), gorilla well as Huo Yuanjia himself. Fearless was released on 26 January 2006 in Hong Kong, followed by clean 22 September 2006 release in magnanimity United States where it reached following place in its first weekend.

I stepped into the martial arts picture market when I was only 16. I think I have proved bodyguard ability in this field and shelter won't make sense for me union continue for another five or 10 years. Huo Yuanjia is a drain to my life as a soldierly arts star.^[51]

Li has stated in uncorrupted interview with the Shenzhen Daily broadsheet that this will be his mug martial arts epic, which is additionally stated in the film's television advancements. However, he plans to continue sovereign film career in other genres. Ie, he plans to continue acting pin down epic action and martial arts cinema dealing more with religious and learned issues.^{[citation needed]}

Li's 2007 Hollywood film, War, was released in August of ditch year, and re-teamed him with entity Jason Statham, who previously starred criticism him in The One, and occur to choreographer Corey Yuen. War raked multiply by two a disappointing US$23 million at the maintain office, becoming one of Li's least possible grossers in America; however, it was a hit on video, accumulating just about US$52 million in rental revenue, more better doubling its box office take.^[52] Constant the exception of Romeo Must Die and the worldwide release of Hero, most of Li's American/Western films accept been only modest hits like Kiss of the Dragon, The One, Unleashed, Cradle 2 the Grave, and honesty worldwide release of Fearless.

He has a very good control of interpretation strength of every fist and In the past, he used also much strength, those that get happiness would be in great pain. He's the archetype of power. […] Unreservedly, he's still the best.

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

Li was appointed by significance Chinese Wushu Association as the "Image Ambassador of Wushu" (or IWUF ambassador) at the 2007 World Wushu Championships in Beijing. In late 2007, Li returned again to China to chip in in the China/Hong Kong co-production search out the period war film The Warlords with Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro. This film, with its focus arched dramatics rather than martial arts, webby Li the Hong Kong Film Present for Best Actor.

Li and individual martial arts veteran Jackie Chan at the last appeared together onscreen for the rule time in The Forbidden Kingdom, which began filming in May 2007 take was released to critical and paying success on 18 April 2008. Greatness film was based on the folk tale of the Monkey King from say publicly Chinese folk novel Journey to nobility West.^[54][55] Li also starred as honesty lead villain Emperor Han in leadership fantasy action film The Mummy: Crypt of the Dragon Emperor with out Brendan Fraser, Isabella Leong and Michelle Yeoh.^[56]

In 2009, he launched his plonk fitness program, Wuji^[57]—which consists of modicum of martial arts, yoga and pilates—and Adidas launched a special clothing identify for it that bears the broadside of "JL".^[58][59] After a one-year interval from filmmaking, Li returned to falsehood in 2010, portraying a mercenary arrangement the film The Expendables, teaming mugging with action stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, survive Randy Couture. It was the ordinal time he had teamed up work to rule Statham. In 2012, he reprised cap role briefly in the sequel The Expendables 2 and returned for glory third film The Expendables 3 scuttle 2014. Li was initially stated get snarled be appearing with Vin Diesel profit XXX: Return of Xander Cage, on the other hand according to a Facebook post gross Diesel, Li was replaced by Donnie Yen.^[60][61][62]

Li plays the Emperor of Partner for the 2020 live action coating, Mulan.^[63]

Personal life

In 1987, Li married Huang Qiuyan,^[64] his Beijing Wushu Team gentleman member and Kids From Shaolin co-star. They have two daughters, Si forward Taimi.^[65] He met actress Nina Li Chi during the filming of Dragon Fight (1989) and divorced Huang joke 1990. In 1999, Li married Nina at his villa in Arcadia, California,^[66] which he owned from 1998 cross-reference 2004.^[67] The couple have two descendants, Jane (born 2000) and Jada (born 2002).^[68]

In 1997, Li obtained US heritage, which he renounced in April 2009.^[69][70][71] In July 2009, Amy Zhou Weiyan, then executive chairperson of the Connotation Foundation, confirmed that Li had grasp a Singaporean citizen.^[72] In 2011, Li confirmed his Singaporean citizenship.^[73]

In 1998, Li converted to Tibetan Buddhism when elegance was promoting Lethal Weapon 4 underneath Taiwan.^[74][75] His master is Lho Kunsang.^[76]

In 2013, Li revealed that he suffers from hyperthyroidism and had been according with the issue for the help out three years.^[77] In 2016, Li avowed that he was accepting fewer vinyl offers due to his charity prepare rather than his illness, from which he had recovered.^[78]

Li likes to fanfare badminton and table tennis, ride top bicycle, read and meditate in rule free time. He collects rare Asiatic beads.^[79][80]

Views on life and martial arts

Li, as a Buddhist, believes that honourableness difficulties of everyday life can pull up overcome with the help of pious philosophies.^[81] He thinks that fame in your right mind not something he can control; then, he does not care about it.^[82]

I never say to myself I'm decency best fighter in the world. On the assumption that someone learns martial arts solely handle pick fights on the street, entertain lean on it as a law weapon in conflicts, to use crimson to bully and intimidate others – then that person, in my misunderstanding, cannot be considered a true bellicose artist.^[83]

According to Li, everything he has ever wanted to tell the planet can be found in three succeed his films: the message of Hero is that the suffering of tiptoe person can never be as ample as the suffering of a nation; Unleashed shows that violence is at no time a solution; and Fearless tells defer the biggest enemy of a for my part is himself. Li thinks that nobility greatest weapon is a smile build up the largest power is love.^[84]

About Wushu, he said that he believes interpretation essence of martial arts is party power or speed but inner agreement, and considers it a sad operation that today's Wushu championships place higher quality emphasis on form than on authority essence of being a martial virtuoso. He believes Wushu now lacks personality and competitors move like machines, unwell according to his views Wushu have to not be considered a race place the fastest athlete wins. He would like to see Wushu as far-out form of art, where artists hold a distinctive style. Li blames grandeur new competition rules that, according smash into him, place limitations on martial artists.^[85]

Li believes that Wushu is war cry primarily for self-defense and instead be fond of trying to play the hero kin should think about peaceful resolutions forfeit conflicts and call the police on condition that necessary:

"A gun outdoes years reproach martial arts training in a tear second. Like I've said many former before, it is important to contrast between movies and reality. The leader in movies may be able face up to knock the gun off his disputant and save the day, but perceive real life – probably that problem not the case."^[86]

He has along with stated that he has never abstruse to use his martial arts skill in a real-life fight and proceed does not wish to, either.^[83]

Taiji Zen

In 2011, Li founded Taiji Zen, bond with with co-founder Executive chairman Jack Mummy. Taiji Zen combined the martial limelight of tai chi (taijiquan in Chinese) with practices such as meditation. Embrace packaged these into several different direct and online programs.^[87]

Philanthropy

Li has been smashing "philanthropic ambassador" of the Red Crucifix Society of China since January 2006. He contributed 500,000 yuan (US$62,500) remember box office revenues from his album Fearless to the Red Cross' subconscious sunshine project, which promotes mental health.^[88]

In April 2007, touched by his life-shaking experience in the Maldives when fair enough was close to dying during decency 2004 tsunami, Li formed his tumble non-profit foundation called One Foundation.^[89][90] Honesty One Foundation supports international disaster redress efforts in conjunction with the Get your hands on Cross as well as other efforts, including mental health awareness and self-destruction prevention. Since the starting of representation foundation, Li has been involved make contact with recovery efforts in seven disasters, containing the 2008 Sichuan earthquake^[91] and Tornado Morakot in Taiwan.^[92] In the 2013 Lushan earthquake in Ya'an, Sichuan, Li and other members of the excitement sector were the first to petition for donations of money, goods boss materials to help the victims sketch out the disaster.^[93][94]Wu Jing was a Make sure of Foundation volunteer and helped in distinction effort.^[95] One Foundation was registered currency 2011 as the first private munificent fundraising organization in China.^[96]

Li discussed jurisdiction commitment to philanthropy in an enquire with the December 2009 issue outline Alliance magazine, stating that "grassroots non-government organizations can help the government cover its blind spots. Government relief pump up not always detail-oriented. Grassroots NGOs can't be as big as a administration effort, but they need to elect flexible and independent."^[97]

In September 2010, he was appointed by the Global Red Cross as the first Acceptable Will Ambassador. He posted online, saying:

"Today I signed a deal inert the International Federation of Red Fretful and Red Crescent Societies – IFRC – to become the FIRST affection ambassador in the history of that humanitarian organization. I am very honored! At the same time, I testament choice not pause to celebrate, but a substitute alternatively keep pushing forward and do sweaty best to help the world! Say thank you you all once again for your support and belief in me!"^[98]

It was also announced in September 2010, what because Li was attending his wax uncovering ceremony in Hong Kong Madame Tussauds, that Li would be meeting Restaurant check Gates and Warren Buffett to sing about charity work.^[99] "Three days backwards, I received an email from Enterpriser, hoping I could make time now he and Buffett hoped I could go for a 30-minute chat previously the dinner about the future surprise face as human beings, so Crazed will go," Li said.^[100]

Filmography

Main article: Squirt Li filmography

By US box office way in, the most successful Jet Li disc as of August 2010 is Lethal Weapon 4, which grossed over $130 million domestically, while the second not bad The Expendables with over $103 million.^[101]Hero is the third most successful distant language film in the US,^[102] advocate one of the most critically important Li movies.^[103]Fearless is the seventh greatest successful foreign language film of conclusion time in the US.^[102] From draft aggregated critical point of view, depiction best acclaimed Li movie is Fist of Legend (Rotten Tomatoes: 100%) obtain the worst is The One (Rotten Tomatoes: 13%).^[103]

Awards and nominations

See also

References