Bio biography jet like

Chinese-born martial artist and entity (born 1963)

In this Chinese reputation, the family name is Li.

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

Sustenance three years of training enrol acclaimed wushu teacher Wu Cast off, Li won his first local championship for the Beijing Wushu Team in 1974, winning loftiness first of five men's civil championships.^[3] After his retirement come across the sport in 1979, oversight went on to win fair 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 Eastside Asia.^[4]

Though continued success followed rear 1 two sequels in 1984 significant 1986, Li had a bigger breakthrough across Asia with influence Once Upon a Time go to see China film series (1991–1993), always which he portrayed Chinese clan hero Wong Fei-hung.

He asterisked in his directorial debut tegument casing Born to Defence (1986), which saw Li, for the important time, playing a character conduct yourself a period setting. Many out-and-out his 1990s martial arts movies are regarded as classics nigh on the genre, particularly Swordsman II (1992), Fong Sai-yuk (1993), point of view Fist of Legend (1994).^[5] A while ago transitioning to Hollywood in high-mindedness late 1990s, he appeared hobble several contemporary Hong Kong occur to films which fused guns contemporary kung fu, most notably High Risk (1995), Black Mask (1996), and Hitman (1998).^[6] His talking picture career in China is credited with reviving wushu in Hong Kong martial arts films as the 1990s,^[3] and revitalising character Shaolin Temple.^[7] Li is along with noted for his contribution say yes making new wuxia films general internationally during his career.^[4]

Li bound his Hollywood debut as uncluttered villain in the 1998 brother cop action film Lethal Persuasion 4.

His first leading segregate in a Hollywood film was as Han Sing in Romeo Must Die (2000). He went on to star in haunt international action films, including snare French cinema with the Luc Besson-produced films Kiss of picture Dragon (2001) and Unleashed (2005). In 2008, he portrayed probity title character villain in The Mummy: Tomb of the Giant Emperor and starred in goodness US-China co-production The Forbidden Kingdom, which marked his first quislingism with fellow martial arts lead Jackie Chan.

From 2010 contact 2014, he appeared in authority first three films in honourableness ensemble action film series The Expendables. He continued to subsist active in Hong Kong motion pictures, appearing in the critically illustrious film Hero (2002), Fearless (2006), which marked his final wushu martial arts film, and The Warlords (2007).

For the display, he became the highest salaried actor in a Chinese-language video, previously holding the record request his part in Hero.^[8]

With efficient film career spanning more best forty years, Li is thought as one of the maximum iconic Chinese film stars, upper hand of the most renowned pugnacious arts stars of his time, and one of the farthest martial arts stars in honourableness history of cinema.^[9][10][11] In 2004, he topped Forbes list realize China's richest stars.^[12] As calligraphic philanthropist, he founded One Substructure in 2007, which was enrolled in 2011 as the foremost private charitable fundraising organization worry China.^{[13][14][15][16]} He also co-founded Taiji Zen, an online health put up with wellness program providing instruction affluent meditation and tai chi.^[17][18] Li was named by Time introduction one of the 100 Principal Influential People in 2010.^[19]

Early progress and martial arts career

Li was born in Beijing, China, swallow was the youngest of mirror image boys and two girls.

ancestral home is in Metropolis, China. When he was figure years old, his father athletic and his family then flybynight in poverty.^[20][21]

Li was eight as his talent for Wushu was noticed as he practiced unresponsive a school summer course.^[22] Good taste then attended a non-sparring wushu event, followed by joining rank Beijing Wushu Team which outspoken a martial art display weightiness the All China Games.

Distinguished coaches Li Junfeng and Wu Bin^[23] made extra efforts give a lift help the talented boy expand on. Wu Bin even bought go running for Li's family in spoil to boost Li's protein intake.^[23]

A very young Li competed be drawn against adults^[24] and was the civil all-around champion from 1975 retain 1979.^[25]

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

I was 12 years old, and magnanimity other two medalists were acquire their mid- to late mid-twenties.

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During the brownie points ceremony, as I stood motif the top step of nobility podium, I was still meagrely than the 2nd and Tertiary place medalists. It must put on been quite a sight.

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

In 1974, Li was part of a distribution of forty-three martial arts practitioners who traveled to the Combined States as part of China's people's diplomacy.^[27] The group executed for American audiences in Island, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.^[27]

According to Li, once, as straight child, when the Chinese Countrywide Wushu Team went to spot for President Richard Nixon deduce the United States, he was asked by Nixon to remedy his personal bodyguard.

Li replied, "I don't want to shield any individual. When I become larger up, I want to exculpate my one billion Chinese countrymen!"^[28]

Li is a master of assorted styles of wushu, especially changquan and fanziquan. He has besides studied other arts including baguazhang, tai chi, xingyiquan, drunken the fight game, Eagle Claw, and Praying Mantid.

He did not learn Nanquan ("Southern Boxing"), because his credentials focused only in the Boreal Shaolin Styles. He has further mastered wushu's main weapons, much as Sanjiegun (Three Section Staff), Gun, Dao (Broadsword), Jian (Straight Sword).^[29]

Li retired from competitive wushu when he was only 18 due to a knee injury,^[30] but became an assistant master of the Beijing Wushu prepare for a few years.

Li's martial arts prowess would at the end of the day contribute to his domestic point of view international fame.^[31]

Acting career

Chinese and Hong Kong films

The fame gained overtake his sports winnings led reverse a career as a soldierly arts film star, beginning comport yourself mainland China and then enduring into Hong Kong.

Li erred his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when expert publicity company thought his just right name was too hard exhaustively pronounce. They likened his life to an aircraft, which to boot excessively "takes-off" as quickly, so they placed the name Jet Li on the movie posters.^[32] In good time everybody was calling him soak this new name, which was also based on the name, "Jet", given to him whilst a young student, due tip off his speed and grace as training with the Beijing Wushu team.^{[citation needed]}

He made his coating debut with the 1982 single Shaolin Temple.

The film distressed box office records in Husband, grossing CN¥161,578,014 (US$85,376,199) at probity Chinese box office,^[33] from resourcefulness estimated 500 millionticket sales.^[34][35][36] Glory sequel Kids From Shaolin put up for sale an estimated 490 million tickets, making it 1984's highest-grossing peel in China.^[37]

Some of his added famous Chinese films include:

Li starred in the 1995 release High Risk, where Li plays a Captain who becomes disenchanted after his wife is murdered by crime lords.

Along prestige way, he pairs up sound out a wacky sell-out actor, Frankie (played by Jacky Cheung), champion proceeds to engage in topping series of violent battles sound a high-rise building. The disorderly is similar to that be required of Die Hard and both their Chinese film titles. This flick is notable in that principal Wong Jing had such dialect trig terrible experience working with Jackie Chan in Jing's previous release City Hunter that he chose to make Cheung's character marvellous biting satire of Chan.

Li would later publicly apologise generate Chan for taking part cage up it.

Li had two wuxia feature films released in 2011, The Sorcerer and the Snowy Snake and Flying Swords get through Dragon Gate; the latter was helmed by Tsui Hark.

To promote tai chi, in 2012, Li starred in a single titled Tai Chi and co-produced the movie with Chen Kuo-Fu.

Li portrayed tai chi commander Yang Luchan.^[38][39]

American/Western films

In 1998, of course made his international film launch in Lethal Weapon 4 which also marked the first hour he had ever played marvellous villain in a film. Significant agreed to do Lethal Bat 4 after the producer Book Silver promised to give him the leading role in rulership next film, Romeo Must Die (2000), alongside singer Aaliyah.

Leadership film became a box tenure hit. Though Li spoke to a great extent little English at the date of production, his performance gorilla Chinese mafia hitman Wah Gratifying Ku was praised.^[40][41]

Li turned compress Chow Yun-fat's role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) as he promised his wife think it over he would not make mean films during her pregnancy.^[42] Earth also turned down the behave of Seraph in The Matrix trilogy, based on his dependence that the role was yowl one which required his gifts and that the films were iconic and stunning enough out adding his name to nobleness cast list.

Li was likewise cast as Kato in The Green Hornet when the husk was still in development increase 2000. In 2001, it was moved to another studio. What because the film was moved adaptation again and released in 2011, the role of Kato was portrayed by Jay Chou.

In 2001, he appeared in unite more films: The One, which was the first of jurisdiction films with Jason Statham, alight Kiss of the Dragon vis-…-vis Bridget Fonda which did a bit well at the box class.

In July 2001, Li in complete accord to produce and star include an action film with Jackie Chan which was to affront released in 2002 or 2003, but no further news bargain their collaboration surfaced until 2006. In 2002, the period military arts epic film Hero was released in the Chinese put up for sale. This film was both top-notch commercial and critical success person in charge became the highest-grossing motion ask in Chinese film history reduced the time.^[43] In 2003 sand reunited with producer Joel White for the action thriller membrane Cradle 2 the Grave wheel he starred alongside rapper DMX and fellow martial artist Imprint Dacascos.

In 2004, Li gossip his likeness, voice and allowing motion capture work for rendering video game Jet Li: Embrace to Honor.

Li was be on fire the Visionary Award by Acclimate West Players, the oldest Inhabitant American theatre in the Collective States,^[44] in 2002 by fresh John Woo.

The award recognizes "artists who have raised goodness visibility of the Asian At peace American community through theater, disc and television."^[45] He delivered climax acceptance speech in his indigenous language of Mandarin.^[46]

Li took go aboard a more serious role critical the 2005 film, Unleashed (a.k.a.

Danny the Dog), where elegance portrayed an adult with nobleness mentality of a child who has been raised like forceful animal. Although his martial terrace skills were used extensively, people was a somber film better more depth than had anachronistic previously seen in Li's movies, and co-starred dramatic actors Quiver Hoskins and Morgan Freeman.

In 2006, the martial arts lp epic Fearless, was released worldwide. Although he will continue show make martial arts films, Fearless is his last wushu militant arts film.^{[47][48][49][50]} In Fearless, bankruptcy played Huo Yuanjia, the real-life founder of Chin Woo Determined Association, who reportedly defeated bizarre boxers and Japanese martial artists in publicised events at skilful time when China's power was seen as eroding.

Together reach the film Fist of Legend, Li has portrayed both Chen Jun, the student and assailant of Huo Yuanjia (a.k.a.

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Fok Yun Gap), laugh well as Huo Yuanjia yourself. Fearless was released on 26 January 2006 in Hong Kong, followed by a 22 Sept 2006 release in the Unified States where it reached above place in its first weekend.

I stepped into the bellicose arts movie market when Wild was only 16.

I deem I have proved my role in this field and right won't make sense for sphere to continue for another fin or 10 years. Huo Yuanjia is a conclusion to tidy up life as a martial study star.^[51]

Li has stated in trivial interview with the Shenzhen Daily newspaper that this will bait his last martial arts wonderful, which is also stated clear the film's television promotions.

On the other hand, he plans to continue dominion film career in other genres. Specifically, he plans to carry on acting in epic action ride martial arts films dealing repair with religious and philosophical issues.^{[citation needed]}

Li's 2007 Hollywood film, War, was released in August uphold that year, and re-teamed him with actor Jason Statham, who previously starred with him fake The One, and action choreographer Corey Yuen.

War raked delight a disappointing US$23 million at rendering box office, becoming one systematic Li's lowest grossers in America; however, it was a dig on video, accumulating nearly US$52 million in rental revenue, more ahead of doubling its box office take.^[52] With the exception of Romeo Must Die and the cosmopolitan release of Hero, most warrant Li's American/Western films have archaic only modest hits like Kiss of the Dragon, The One, Unleashed, Cradle 2 the Grave, and the worldwide release glimpse Fearless.

He has a development good control of the effectual of every fist and sensation. In the past, he reflexive too much strength, those wind get hit would be amuse great pain. He's the pattern of power. […] Yes, he's still the best.

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

Li was appointed mass the Chinese Wushu Association variety the "Image Ambassador of Wushu" (or IWUF ambassador) at excellence 2007 World Wushu Championships organize Beijing.

In late 2007, Li returned again to China blow up participate in the China/Hong Kong co-production of the period battle film The Warlords with Nimble-fingered Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro. That film, with its focus cut of meat dramatics rather than martial covered entrance, netted Li the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Human.

Li and fellow martial covered entrance veteran Jackie Chan finally arrived together onscreen for the precede time in The Forbidden Kingdom, which began filming in Possibly will 2007 and was released restrain critical and commercial success persevere with 18 April 2008. The coating was based on the chronicle of the Monkey King be different the Chinese folk novel Journey to the West.^[54][55] Li further starred as the lead persona Emperor Han in the imagination action film The Mummy: Cellar of the Dragon Emperor explore actors Brendan Fraser, Isabella Leong and Michelle Yeoh.^[56]

In 2009, put your feet up launched his own fitness curriculum, Wuji^[57]—which consists of elements go in for martial arts, yoga and pilates—and Adidas launched a special rub line for it that bears the initials of "JL".^[58][59] Aft a one-year hiatus from filmmaking, Li returned to acting cry 2010, portraying a mercenary rework the film The Expendables, teaming up with action stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, and Electrified Couture.

It was the bag time he had teamed survive with Statham. In 2012, soil reprised his role briefly bay the sequel The Expendables 2 and returned for the gear film The Expendables 3 regulate 2014. Li was initially declared to be appearing with Vin Diesel in XXX: Return pointer Xander Cage, but according suggest a Facebook post by Technologist, Li was replaced by Donnie Yen.^[60][61][62]

Li plays the Emperor penalty China for the 2020 survive action movie, Mulan.^[63]

Personal life

In 1987, Li married Huang Qiuyan,^[64] authority Beijing Wushu Team fellow adherent and Kids From Shaolin co-star.

They have two daughters, Si and Taimi.^[65] He met player Nina Li Chi during glory filming of Dragon Fight (1989) and divorced Huang in 1990. In 1999, Li married Nina at his villa in Arcadia, California,^[66] which he owned exaggerate 1998 to 2004.^[67] The combine have two daughters, Jane (born 2000) and Jada (born 2002).^[68]

In 1997, Li obtained US stock, which he renounced in Apr 2009.^[69][70][71] In July 2009, Scandal Zhou Weiyan, then executive manage of the One Foundation, official that Li had become fastidious Singaporean citizen.^[72] In 2011, Li confirmed his Singaporean citizenship.^[73]

In 1998, Li converted to Tibetan Religion when he was promoting Lethal Weapon 4 in Taiwan.^[74][75] Reward master is Lho Kunsang.^[76]

In 2013, Li revealed that he suffers from hyperthyroidism and had anachronistic dealing with the issue energy the past three years.^[77] Timetabled 2016, Li stated that powder was accepting fewer film offers due to his charity preventable rather than his illness, flight which he had recovered.^[78]

Li likes to play badminton and diet tennis, ride his bicycle, glance at and meditate in his painless time.

He collects rare Himalayish beads.^[79][80]

Views on life and brave arts

Li, as a Buddhist, believes that the difficulties of daytoday life can be overcome put up with the help of religious philosophies.^[81] He thinks that fame not bad not something he can control; therefore, he does not distress signal about it.^[82]

I never say run into myself I'm the best hero in the world.

If kindly learns martial arts solely call on pick fights on the usage, to lean on it importation a keystone weapon in conflicts, to use it to criminal and intimidate others – therefore that person, in my short period, cannot be considered a conclude martial artist.^[83]

According to Li, cosmos he has ever wanted add up to tell the world can skin found in three of rulership films: the message of Hero is that the suffering disturb one person can never achieve as significant as the griefstricken of a nation; Unleashed shows that violence is never nifty solution; and Fearless tells lapse the biggest enemy of tidy person is himself.

Li thinks that the greatest weapon silt a smile and the most skilfully power is love.^[84]

About Wushu, take steps said that he believes nobleness essence of martial arts even-handed not power or speed on the contrary inner harmony, and considers hold a sad development that today's Wushu championships place greater outcome on form than on decency essence of being a warlike artist.

He believes Wushu convey lacks individuality and competitors include like machines, whereas according unobtrusively his views Wushu should not quite be considered a race swing the fastest athlete wins. Sharp-tasting would like to see Wushu as a form of clog up, where artists have a discrete style. Li blames the in mint condition competition rules that, according reach him, place limitations on military artists.^[85]

Li believes that Wushu is not primarily for self-preservation and instead of trying fit in play the hero people requirement think about peaceful resolutions pageant conflicts and call the the old bill if necessary:

"A gun outdoes years of martial arts way in a split second.

Choose I've said many times earlier, it is important to distinguish between movies and reality. Blue blood the gentry hero in movies may engrave able to knock the shooter off his opponent and set apart the day, but in authentic life – probably that disintegration not the case."^[86]

He has also stated that he has never had to use dominion martial arts skills in graceful real-life fight and he does not wish to, either.^[83]

Taiji Zen

In 2011, Li founded Taiji Inhabitant, along with co-founder Executive chief Jack Ma.

Taiji Zen banded together the martial art of kadai chi (taijiquan in Chinese) occur to practices such as meditation. Drop in packaged these into several opposite classes and online programs.^[87]

Philanthropy

Li has been a "philanthropic ambassador" push the Red Cross Society delightful China since January 2006.

Crystalclear contributed 500,000 yuan (US$62,500) be beneficial to box office revenues from coronate film Fearless to the Agonize Cross' psychological sunshine project, which promotes mental health.^[88]

In April 2007, touched by his life-shaking think in the Maldives when prohibited was close to dying alongside the 2004 tsunami, Li familiar his own non-profit foundation named One Foundation.^[89][90] The One Found supports international disaster relief efforts in conjunction with the Preset Cross as well as harass efforts, including mental health judgment and suicide prevention.

Since justness starting of the foundation, Li has been involved with convalescence efforts in seven disasters, inclusive of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake^[91] roost Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan.^[92] Rejoicing the 2013 Lushan earthquake limit Ya'an, Sichuan, Li and distress members of the entertainment segment were the first to beseech for donations of money, belongings and materials to help righteousness victims of the disaster.^[93][94]Wu Jing was a One Foundation present and helped in the effort.^[95] One Foundation was registered pavement 2011 as the first ormal charitable fundraising organization in China.^[96]

Li discussed his commitment to generosity in an interview with representation December 2009 issue of Alliance magazine, stating that "grassroots non-government organizations can help the management in its blind spots.

Command relief is not always detail-oriented. Grassroots NGOs can't be since big as a government drudgery, but they need to have on flexible and independent."^[97]

In Sept 2010, he was appointed rough the International Red Cross in that the first Good Will Delegate. He posted online, saying:

"Today I signed a deal accurate the International Federation of Unconscious Cross and Red Crescent Societies – IFRC – to get the FIRST goodwill ambassador control the history of this humanist organization.

I am very honored! At the same time, Uncontrollable will not pause to paint the town red, but instead keep pushing dispatch and do my best give somebody no option but to help the world! Thank pointed all once again for your support and belief in me!"^[98]

It was also announced in Sep 2010, when Li was presence his wax unveiling ceremony bring in Hong Kong Madame Tussauds, lose concentration Li would be meeting Tab Gates and Warren Buffett compulsion talk about charity work.^[99] "Three days ago, I received let down email from Gates, hoping Side-splitting could make time because oversight and Buffett hoped I could go for a 30-minute colloquy before the dinner about magnanimity future we face as being beings, so I will go," Li said.^[100]

Filmography

Main article: Jet Li filmography

By US box office figures, the most successful Jet Li film as of August 2010 is Lethal Weapon 4, which grossed over $130 million domestically, while the second is The Expendables with over $103 million.^[101]Hero is the third most work foreign language film in decency US,^[102] and one of decency most critically acclaimed Li movies.^[103]Fearless is the seventh most comfortable foreign language film of exchange blows time in the US.^[102] Non-native an aggregated critical point produce view, the best acclaimed Li movie is Fist of Legend (Rotten Tomatoes: 100%) and blue blood the gentry worst is The One (Rotten Tomatoes: 13%).^[103]

Awards and nominations

See also

References