Early Life:
- Gong Li, born on December 31, 1965, in Shenyang, Liaoning, China, is the youngest of five children.
- Her father was an economics professor, and her mother was a teacher.
- Growing up in Jinan, Shandong, Gong Li developed a passion for singing and dancing from a young age, dreaming of becoming a singer.
- She attended Jinan Sanhe Street Primary School and later Jinan No.2 Middle School.
- In 1985, Gong was accepted into the prestigious Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, graduating in 1989.
Career Beginnings (1987–1989):
- Gong Li was discovered by director Zhang Yimou while still a student at the Central Academy of Drama.
- Her debut role was in Zhang’s “Red Sorghum” in 1987, which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
- She continued to collaborate with Zhang Yimou in acclaimed films such as “Ju Dou” (1990) and “Raise the Red Lantern” (1991).
International Recognition (1990–1999):
- Gong gained international acclaim for her roles in Zhang Yimou’s films, including “Raise the Red Lantern” (1991) and “The Story of Qiu Ju” (1992).
- She won numerous awards, including the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for “The Story of Qiu Ju” (1992) and the New York Film Critics Circle award for “Farewell My Concubine” (1993).
- Gong also starred in Chen Kaige’s “Farewell My Concubine” (1993), winning Best Supporting Actress at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards.
- Her performances often portrayed tragic figures navigating complex situations, earning her international recognition.
Worldwide Recognition (2000–2004):
- In 2000, Gong won her second international Best Actress award for “Breaking the Silence” (2000) at the Montreal World Film Festival.
- She served as the president of the international jury at the Berlin Film Festival’s 50th anniversary in 2000.
- Gong continued to garner acclaim for her roles in films like “2046” and “Eros” (both in 2004), directed by Wong Kar-wai.
Hollywood and Chinese Cinema (2005–2018):
- Gong made her English-speaking debut in “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2005), earning praise for her performance.
- She won the National Board of Review for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Memoirs of a Geisha.”
- Gong expanded her Hollywood presence with roles in “Miami Vice” (2006) and “Hannibal Rising” (2007), learning English lines phonetically.
- Despite her success, she remained selective about roles, emphasizing quality over quantity in her choices.
Global Comeback and Recent Works (2019–present):
- In 2019, Gong starred in Lou Ye’s “Saturday Fiction” and the live-action adaptation of “Mulan” (2020), showcasing her versatility.
- “Saturday Fiction” competed for the Golden Lion at the 76th Venice International Film Festival.
- Gong also starred in Peter Chan’s “Leap” (2020), portraying the head coach of the Chinese women’s national volleyball team.
- Her performance in “Leap” earned widespread acclaim, sweeping major Hong Kong film awards in 2021.
- Gong continues to be a prominent figure in global cinema, serving as a jury president at film festivals and receiving accolades for her work.
Personal Life:
- Gong Li’s professional and personal relationship with director Zhang Yimou was highly publicized; they collaborated on several films before ending their relationship.
- She married Singaporean tobacco tycoon Ooi Hoe Seong in 1996 but divorced in 2010.
- Gong Li became a Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2000.
- In 2019, she married French composer Jean-Michel Jarre, continuing to balance her personal life with a successful acting career.
This summary encapsulates Gong Li’s journey from her early beginnings in Chinese cinema to her international acclaim, Hollywood ventures, and recent successes in global cinema.