Xu Zheng
Xu Zheng is one of China's most popular actors, filmmakers, and film producers, well known for his humorous roles. His film, television, and theatrical work encompasses a wide spectrum of genres, from humor to dark comedy to drama, and his films have achieved commercial and social success. In 1972, Xu Zheng was born in Shanghai. He began acting on stage after graduating from Shanghai Theatre Academy in 1994, and rose to national recognition in 2000 with the crazy comedy TV series Sunny Pig (Chn Gung Cànlàn Zh BJiè), in which he appeared as Zhu Bajie, a dimwitted pig who wished to become a human being. Sunny Piggy received high ratings across the country, paving the way for other popular TV and film productions like Li Wei the Magistrate (L Wèi Dng Gun) (2001), Love Through Different Times (Chunyuè Shkng de iliàn) (2002), Crazy Stone (Fngkuáng de Shtou) (2006), Call for Love (iqng Hjiào Zhuny) (2007), and Lost on Journey (Ren Zài Ji (2010).
Since 2003, Xu Zheng has been trying his hand at filmmaking and has had a lot of success. In 2012, Xu Zheng's first big film, Lost in Thailand (Tài Jing), starring himself and Wang Baoqiang (), grossed over US$200 million from over 40 million people, making it the highest-grossing domestic film in China's history at the time. The film, which was primarily shot in Thailand, resulted in such a rise in Chinese travel to the country that the Thai Prime Minister personally asked Xu Zheng to a secret meeting in Bangkok to thank him.
Another blockbuster he produced and acted in, Dying to Survive (W Bsh Yào Shén) (2018), grossed $453 million and is still one of the highest-grossing films in China today. Xu Zheng has received over ten critical honors over his acting career, including Best Actor at the Chinese American Film Festival, Changchun Film Festival, and Golden Horse Awards. Xu Zheng, one of China's most influential performers, was ranked second on Forbes' China Celebrity 100 List in 2020.
- Born: 18 April 1972 (age 50), Shanghai, China
- Alma mater: Shanghai Theatre Academy
- Occupation: Actor, director, screenwriter, producer
- Years active: 1996–present
