Vincent Zhao

Last updated
Vincent Zhao
赵文卓
Vincent Zhao (Zhao Wen Zhuo ).jpg
Zhao in 2018
Born
Zhao Zhuo (趙卓)

(1972-04-10) 10 April 1972 (age 51)
Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Other namesVincent Chiu
Chiu Man-cheuk
Chao Wen-jar
Wenzhuo Zhao
Occupation(s)Actor, martial artist
Years active1993–present
Spouse
Zhang Danlu
​
(m. 2006)​
Partner(s) Anita Mui (1995–1996)
"Xiao Lian" (2001–2002)
Children
  • Joseph Zhao (son), with "Xiao Lian"
  • Rosita Zhao (daughter)
  • Zhao Zilong (son)
  • Luna Zhao (daughter)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 趙文卓
Simplified Chinese 赵文卓

Vincent Zhao Wenzhuo (born 10 April 1972), sometimes credited as Vincent Chiu or Chiu Man-cheuk, is a Chinese actor and martial artist. Zhao is best known for playing the Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung in the Once Upon a Time in China film and television series and for his films The Blade , True Legend and God of War .

Contents

Early life

Zhao was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China the youngest of three boys. [1] His father was a martial arts practitioner, and his mother was a professional sprinter, who broke the record for being the fastest female sprinter of Harbin. [2] Under the instruction of his father, Zhao attended martial arts lessons at the age of eight but he never completely devoted himself to his lessons as he was more interested in singing. In the early 1980s, Zhao was sent to a martial arts academy in Harbin and began to train vigorously, where he started to love the sport. [1] He soon became the youngest member of the Harbin wushu team, which was established in 1985. Trained in various wushu techniques, Zhao mastered Tongbeiquan, tai chi, especially the Chen and Yang styles. [3]

Zhao maintained high academic standards, and in 1990, he was accepted by Beijing Sport University to study martial arts. [4] Throughout his university career, he joined many national championships, winning first place titles and gold medals for the National Junior Championship, the National All-Around Championship, and also the National Martial Arts Championship. He was also qualified to be in China's national martial arts team, and his classmates gave him the nickname, "Kungfu King". [5]

Career

Fong Sai-yuk

In 1992, Hong Kong film producer Corey Yuen went to Beijing Sport University to find a martial artist to play the role of the antagonist for his 1993 film Fong Sai-yuk . Yuen found Zhao through the latter's instructor and was immediately impressed with Zhao. Initially, Zhao was uninterested, but Yuen insisted on offering him the role because he had "the skill and looks." [6] After further encouragement from peers and mentors, Zhao accepted the offer and shooting began in the same year. [6] Zhao was often teased for looking too nice and young for the role of the villain, the Governor of Nine Gates, [7] but under the instruction of Yuen and other directors, he learned the easiest way to "look evil". He said,

"The director told me: Chiu Man-cheuk, when you look at people, don't look at them like how you usually do. You must look at them from the corner of your eyes with your profile facing them. That way, you will look evil." [8]

During filming, Zhao also enrolled in acting classes for three months. [9] Fong Sai-yuk was released in March 1993 and became a box office hit in Hong Kong, grossing HK$30,666,842.

Once Upon a Time in China

After only a month into the filming of Fong Sai-yuk, contract problems between Tsui Hark and Jet Li caused Li to back out from the fourth installment of the Once Upon a Time in China saga. Tsui met Zhao on the set of Fong Sai-yuk and was impressed with Zhao's performance that he quickly recruited Zhao to replace Li in playing the role of Wong Fei-hung. Tsui also encouraged Zhao to sign a three-year contract to be a full-time actor, but Zhao rejected the offer, stating that he felt that his education was more important. Zhao continued to devote himself to filming during school vacations for Green Snake (1993) and Once Upon a Time in China IV (1994). During filming for Green Snake, Zhao was hung high up in the air during a stunt with two steel wires supporting him but during an incident one of the steel wires broke and Zhao stated that if the other wire were to also break that he could have lost his life as well. Zhao was ultimately very frightened especially after filming this scene. During the filming of one of the Wong Fei Hung movies, he seriously injured his ankle to the point where it hadn't healed until the year 2012. He stated that some of the bones in his ankle still hasn't healed yet and that before this injury he was okay with doing the majority of his stunts even jumping from third or second story high buildings. The injury has also affected his flexibility as well.

Although Once Upon a Time in China IV grossed less in the box office than the first three installments, it was significant enough to continue the franchise with a fifth installment, Once Upon a Time in China V (1995). While shooting a scene, Zhao slipped during a fighting sequence and injured his head. He was rushed to the hospital and got stitches. He recovered quickly and shooting continued after several weeks. [10] Once Upon a Time in China V was Zhao's last role as Wong Fei-hung in the films, as Jet Li returned for the sixth and last installment, Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997).

Zhao continued playing Wong Fei-hung in the television drama Wong Fei Hung Series , also produced by Tsui Hark. The series was aired on ATV in Hong Kong for two years and received high ratings (although Wong Fei Hung Series: The Final Victory only had moderate ratings).[ citation needed ]

1997–1999

In 1997, Zhao signed a management contract with China Star, a Hong Kong talent agency, after which he began to work on more films, such as The Blacksheep Affair (1998), Body Weapon (1999) and Fist Power (1999–2000). Many considered him as "the next Jet Li". [11]

2000–2010

Zhao's contract with China Star ended in 1999, and he decided to turn his focus to the mainland Chinese market in hope of making more money (probably due to economic differences), working on television series and films such as The Sino-Dutch War 1661 , Wind and Cloud and Seven Swordsmen . In 2006, Zhao returned to Hong Kong and began working on The Master of Tai Chi , produced by TVB.

During an interview concerning his career and the transition from movie actor to television actor. He said tactfully "at the beginning of the transition, my heart felt like it was in a uncomfortable state."

Reviews for Zhao's performance in television series were mixed, and many criticized him for giving up big productions and the silver screen. Zhao explained:

"I never took professional acting classes. The only thing I could do back then were sports and martial arts. In order to train myself, I must accept more television series to touch up my acting." [12]

While working on The Master of Tai Chi, Zhao was given a script for a new martial arts film and he accepted the lead role. Zhao signed with Hollywood agency CAA in 2006 with help from Jackie Chan. [13] He was originally selected to play the lead villain in Rush Hour 3 , but the role was eventually given to Hiroyuki Sanada. After spending one year and a half in America, Zhao returned to Beijing and went into an obvious physical breakdown. In September 2008 he returned to Beijing to prepare for his next film, True Legend . True Legend opened up to mixed reviews and was a failure at the box office. In April 2010 Zhao joined Sacrifice's star-studded cast and was only given a minor role. [14]

2011–present

Zhao starred alongside Yang Mi, Louis Fan, Xu Jiao and Dennis To in the 2012 martial arts fantasy film Wu Dang that was directed by Patrick Leung, written by Chan Khan, and action choreographed by Corey Yuen. [15]

On 19 January 2012, in a press conference held in Beijing, it was announced that Zhao would be starring with Donnie Yen in the film Special Identity. However, on 29 February, Zhao left the production due to changes in the script by Yen.

Since March 1, 2017, Zhao is employed as Health Qigong ambassador. [16]

In 2021, he joined the cast of Call Me By Fire as a contestant. [17]

Personal life

Zhao graduated from Beijing Sport University in 1994 and decided to remain there as a martial arts instructor. However, due to his busy filming schedule, he only taught classes for three months before resigning.

During his time at Beijing Academy, Zhao signed on for two months of dancing classes and won the National College Dance Championship Competition. [18]

He was once linked with Anita Mui in early 1995 but the pair broke apart in 1996. [19]

Zhao had a son from a previous relationship with a Shanghai college student known as "Xiao Lian" (小连) studying in Canada and a reported pianist in 2001. His son, named "Zhao Yuanda" (赵元达), English name "Joseph", was born in August 2002. [20] The reason for their break up is unknown. In 2004, Zhao Yuanda and his mother moved back to Beijing, where she opened a yoga center in the luxury apartments of Beijing Suburbs. [21]

Zhao married his girlfriend Zhang Danlu, whom he met in 2002, in June 2006, and their daughter was born in September 2007. In November 2007, Zhao brought his family back to Beijing. At the airport, when interviewed, Zhao said his daughter is named "Rosita", Chinese name "Zhao Ziyang" (赵紫阳). [22] His daughter shares the same name as the late politician Zhao Ziyang, whose name has been a taboo subject in China since 1989. On 15 July 2011, Zhao's wife gave birth in Hong Kong to their second son, who is named "Zilong" after the courtesy name of Zhao Yun, a famous general of the Three Kingdoms period. [23] [24] On 14 September 2016, Zhao and Zhang welcomed their third child (Zhao's fourth), a daughter named Luna Zhao. [25]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993 Fong Sai-yuk Governor of Nine Gates United States release title The Legend
1993 Once Upon a Time in China IV Wong Fei-hung
1993 Green Snake Monk Fa-hai
1994 Once Upon a Time in China V Wong Fei-hung
1995 The Chinese Feast Lung Kwun-bo
1995 The Blade On Man / Ting-on
1996Mahjong DragonPak Kwai-sau
1998The Blacksheep AffairYim DongUnited States release title Another Meltdown
1999Body WeaponWu Chi-kwan
2000 Fist Power Brian Cheuk
2001 The Sino-Dutch War 1661 Zheng Chenggong Nominated - Golden Rooster Awards for Best Actor
2002 The Wesley's Mysterious File
2005Dragon Get AngryRong HaishanTelevision film based on the television series Fist of Hero (1999)
2005In the BlueWushu coachAlso action choreographer
2010 True Legend Su Can / Begger Su Limited release in the United States by Indomina distribution film company on 13 May 2011
2010 Sacrifice Zhao Shuo / Zhao Zhuangzi
2012 Wu Dang Tang Yunlong
2014 The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom Jin Duyi
2014 The Boundary Shao Yun Feng
2017 God of War Qi Jiguang In Mandarin with English subtitle.
2018 The Unity of Heroes Wong Fei-hung Also producer, broadcast on IQIYI Online Media
2018 The Unity of Heroes 2: Warriors of the Nation Wong Fei-hung
2018 Wong Fei-Hung: Wrath of Sea Wong Fei-hung Also producer, broadcast on IQIYI Online Media
2018 Kung fu Alliance Wong Fei-hung
2018 Kung Fu League Wong Fei-hung
2019 Invisible Tattoo Achang (Tattoo Master)Nominated for Best Actor at 2018 Macau International Film Festival, won Golden Lotus Excellent Actor at 2018 Macau International Film Festival

Television

YearTitleRole
1996 Wong Fei Hung Series Wong Fei-hung
1998 Hua Mulan Li Liang
1999 Fist of Hero Rong Haishan
2001 Hero of the Times Fang Shiyu
2001 New May Flower Zhao Shijun
2001 Huo Yuanjia Huo Yuanjia
2001 Jingwu Yingxiong Chen Zhen Huo Yuanjia
2002 Drunken Hero Mi Wentian
2002 Wind and Cloud Nie Feng
2002Wudang I" Zhang Sanfeng
2002 Book and Sword, Gratitude and Revenge Chen Jialuo
2003 Lady Wu: The First Empress Li Junxian
2004Miracle HealersLiu Xuan
2004 Wind and Cloud 2 Nie Feng
2005 Lost City in Snow Heaven Lei Ou
2005 Four Rarities of the Royal Palace Kangxi Emperor
2005Wudang II Zhang Sanfeng
2006 Seven Swordsmen Chu Zhaonan
2008 The Master of Tai Chi Mo Ma
2011 Invincible Knights-Errant Zhan Zhao
2014 Legend of Hongan General Liu Tong Luo
2015 Millions of Hands and Eyes Yuan Zhang
2019 Huo Yuan Jia Huo Yuan Jia
2020HeroesHuo Yuan Jia

[26] [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sammo Hung</span> Martial artist, film producer, director

Sammo Hung Kam-bo is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in martial arts films, Hong Kong action cinema, and as a fight choreographer for other actors such as Jackie Chan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wong Fei-hung</span> Chinese martial artist and physician (1847–1925)

Wong Fei-hung was a Chinese martial artist, physician, and folk hero. His recent fame was due to becoming the protagonist of numerous martial arts films and television series. Even though he was considered an expert in the Hung Ga style of Chinese martial arts, his real public fame was as a physician who practiced and taught acupuncture, Dit Da and other forms of traditional Chinese medicine in the now famous Po Chi Lam, a medical clinic in Canton (Guangzhou), Guangdong Province. A museum dedicated to him was built in his birthplace in Foshan, Guangdong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fong Sai-yuk</span> Chinese martial artist and folk hero

Fong Sai-yuk is a semi-fictional Chinese martial artist and folk hero from Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province of the Qing dynasty. Fong was also associated with Hung Hei-gun and the Five Elders of the Southern Shaolin Monastery. He was a disciple of Shaolin and his martial arts techniques were considered to have contributed to the development of Hung Ga Kuen.

<i>Once Upon a Time in China</i> (film series) 1991 Hong Kong film

Once Upon a Time in China is a Hong Kong film and television franchise created and produced by Tsui Hark, consisting of six films and a television series released between 1991 and 1997. Tsui also directed four of the films and co-wrote the first five as well as an episode of the television series.

<i>Once Upon a Time in China III</i> 1993 Hong Kong film

Once Upon a Time in China III is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film written, produced and directed by Tsui Hark, starring Jet Li as Chinese martial arts master and folk hero of Cantonese ethnicity, Wong Fei-hung. It is the third installment in the Once Upon a Time in China film series.

<i>Iron Monkey</i> (1993 film) 1993 Hong Kong film

Iron Monkey is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film written and produced by Tsui Hark and directed by Yuen Woo-ping, starring Donnie Yen, Yu Rongguang, Jean Wang, Angie Tsang and Yuen Shun-yi. It is not related to the 1977 Hong Kong film of the same title.

Kung fu film is a subgenre of martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema set in the contemporary period and featuring realistic martial arts. It lacks the fantasy elements seen in wuxia, a related martial arts genre that uses historical settings based on ancient China. Swordplay is also less common in kung-fu films than in wuxia and fighting is done through unarmed combat.

This is a list of films featuring the Chinese martial arts master and folk hero of Cantonese ethnicity, Wong Fei-hung. There are 123 in total. Where possible alternative titles have been included, particularly the official English language titles or literal translations.

<i>Once Upon a Time in China V</i> 1994 Hong Kong film

Once Upon a Time in China V is a 1994 Hong Kong–Chinese martial arts action film written and directed by Tsui Hark. The film is the fifth installment in the Once Upon a Time in China film series, with Vincent Zhao reprising his role as Chinese martial arts master and folk hero of Cantonese ethnicity Wong Fei-hung after taking over the character from Jet Li in Once Upon a Time in China IV. The film also saw the return of Hark as director and of Rosamund Kwan as "13th Aunt", who was absent in the fourth film.

<i>Once Upon a Time in China</i> 1991 film by Tsui Hark

Once Upon a Time in China is a 1991 Hong Kong martial arts film written and directed by Tsui Hark, starring Jet Li as Chinese martial arts master and folk hero of Cantonese ethnicity, Wong Fei-hung. It is the first installment in the Once Upon a Time in China film series.

<i>Once Upon a Time in China IV</i> 1993 Hong Kong film

Once Upon a Time in China IV is a 1993 Hong Kong–Chinese martial arts film and the fourth installment in the Once Upon a Time in China film series. It was directed by Yuen Bun in his directorial debut and produced by Tsui Hark, who directed the first three films. Vincent Zhao starred as Chinese martial arts master and folk hero of Cantonese ethnicity, Wong Fei-hung, who was portrayed by Jet Li in the first three films.

Max Mok is a Hong Kong actor and singer. Mok was recruited by the Shaw Brothers Studio and has been a major film star since the 1980s. Mok is perhaps best known as Leung Foon in Once Upon a Time in China II, III, IV and V, after replacing Yuen Biao who was in the first film. In the Philippines, he is known as Bronson Lee.

<i>Men Dont Cry</i> Hong Kong TV series or program

Men Don't Cry is a TVB period comedy series broadcast in October 2007, to celebrate TVB's 40th Anniversary. The shown was rerun from Thursday, January 29, 2009, to February 26, 2009, from Monday to Friday at 12:05 am on TVB Jade in Hong Kong.

<i>Heroes Among Heroes</i> 1993 film by Yuen Woo-ping

Heroes Among Heroes is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film produced and directed by Yuen Woo-ping and starring Donnie Yen as the protagonist So Chan, who was one of the Ten Tigers of Canton. The film shows opium smugglers in the Qing Dynasty, China, with Officer Lin Zexu and Chinese martial arts master and folk hero of Cantonese ethnicity Wong Fei-hung fighting against them. It was released in the US as Fist of the Red Dragon.

Hung Yan-yan is a Hong Kong martial artist, actor, stuntman and action director originally from Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. He was the stunt double for martial arts superstar Jet Li.

Chi Kuan-Chun, also known as Chik Goon-Gwan, is a Hong Kong-based Chinese actor, martial artist, and Hung Ga practitioner. He is best known for playing Shaolin rebel Hu Huei Chien in several martial arts films in the 1970s. He also co-starred with Alexander Fu in many films at that time.

<i>Drunken Master III</i> 1994 Hong Kong film

Drunken Master III is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Lau Kar-leung and starring Andy Lau, Michelle Reis, Willie Chi, Simon Yam, Lau Kar-leung, Adam Cheng and Gordon Liu. This film was quickly produced after director Lau and Jackie Chan fell out on the set of Drunken Master II with the style of action and Lau decided to produce a more authentic entry in the Drunken Master film series. Despite the title, Drunken Master III is not a sequel to the Drunken Master film series and is widely considered an imitator.

<i>Wu Dang</i> (film) 2012 Chinese film

Wu Dang is a 2012 Chinese-Hong Kong martial arts fantasy film directed by Patrick Leung, starring Vincent Zhao, Yang Mi, Louis Fan, Dennis To and Xu Jiao. It was first released in mainland China on 6 July 2012.

<i>The Return of Wong Fei Hung</i> Hong Kong martial arts television series

The Return of Wong Fei Hung is a 1984 Hong Kong martial arts television series produced by TVB and starring Andy Lau. Despite Wong Fei-hung being part of the English title, Wong is only a supporting character in the series while the protagonist is his famed disciple Lam Sai-wing, portrayed by Lau. The Cantonese title is "Po Chi Lam", the name of Wong's famed medicine clinic.

<i>Kung Fu League</i> 2018 Chinese film

Kung Fu League is a 2018 Chinese martial arts fantasy comedy film directed by Jeffrey Lau and written by Huang Jianhong, which featured an ensemble cast include Vincent Zhao, Andy On, Danny Chan and Dennis To. Ashin Shu played the lead role and also narrated the film. The film was released in China on 26 October 2018 and in Hong Kong on 13 October 2018. It received largely mixed to negative reviews from audience and critics.

References

  1. 1 2 "Vincent Zhao: Never give up". SMNet (in Chinese). 2008-07-09. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  2. ↑ "Thinking back when first entered the entertainment industry, Vincent Zhao honestly says, "Never thought of it."". Sina (in Chinese). 2001-08-30. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  3. ↑ "Counting each entertainment sportsman". Sina (in Chinese). 2004-09-14. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  4. ↑ "Sportsman in the entertainment industry". HSDCW (in Chinese). 2008-08-06. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  5. ↑ "Zhang Danlu and Vincent Zhao "separate"". Sina (in Chinese). 2006-01-15. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  6. 1 2 "Kung-fu kings". Sina (in Chinese). 2007-12-11. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  7. ↑ "Vincent Zhao, the rising tides". Sina (in Chinese). 2006-03-29. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  8. ↑
    From TVB's "By My Guest", 2008-03-15
  9. ↑ "Vincent Zhao interview". Jayne Stars. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2009-09-30.
  10. ↑ "Vincent Zhao injuries" (in Chinese). p. 1. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  11. ↑ "Sportsmen stars". People. 2008-08-15. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  12. ↑ "Vincent Zhao: happy to be nominated". Sina. 2001-10-23. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  13. ↑ "Vincent Zhao signs into America's CAA". CRI Online. 2006-10-26. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  14. ↑ "Vincent Zhao is "Beggar Su"". 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
  15. ↑ (in Chinese) 功夫片《大武当》将拍 杨幂携手赵文卓樊少皇
  16. ↑ "国际健身气功联合会". www.ihqfo.org. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  17. ↑ ""Call Me by Fire", the Male Equivalent of "Sisters Who Make Waves" Offers Fans Throwbacks to "Meteor Garden" and More". 13 August 2021.
  18. ↑ "Girlfriend Zhang Danlu believes in Vincent Zhao". Sina. 2004-03-28. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
  19. ↑ "Jacky Chan and Elaine Ng's love". 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  20. ↑ "Profile of Vincent Zhao - Kung-fu Kingdom". Kung-fu Kingdom. 2014-09-21. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  21. ↑ 探访赵文卓两段爱情 漂亮前女友照片曝光(组图)_底层靓图_底层页面_娱乐_腾讯网. ent.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  22. ↑ "赵文卓携妻子女儿低调回京 爱女取名Rosita | Zhao Wenzhuo quietly brings family back to Beijing. His daughter is named Rosita". Archived from the original on 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  23. ↑ "Vincent Zhao fathers a second son". sg.news.yahoo.com. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  24. ↑ (in Chinese) 赵文卓喜得爱子难掩欣喜 为其取名为“赵子龙”
  25. ↑ 蘇國豪 (2016-09-14). "【中秋前出世】趙文卓封女兒為月亮女神 取名LUNA一家團圓". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  26. ↑ "Vincent Zhao". imdb.com. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  27. ↑ "Vincent Zhao". chinesemov.com. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.