Wen Zhang

Wen Zhang (Chinese: 文章, born 26 June 1984) is a Chinese actor. He graduated from the Central Academy of Drama in 2006. Wen ranked 58th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2013,[1] and 45th in 2014.[2]

In this Chinese name, the family name is Wen.

Wen Zhang
Born (1984-06-26) 26 June 1984
Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
Alma materCentral Academy of Drama
Occupation
Years active2006–present
AgentEasy Entertainment
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 2008; div. 2019)​
Children2 daughters
Chinese name
Chinese文章

Career

Rising popularity

Wen first became known for his role in the youth drama Romantic Life.[3]

Wen rose to fame for his role in the youth television series Struggle (2007). Based on the popular novel by Shi Kang, Struggle gained unexpected acclaim and was seen as a breakthrough in Chinese TV production as it broke from the usual Chinese TV series focusing in traditional legends and series.[4]

Another notable series Wen starred in is Dwelling Narrowness (2009). The series, which focuses on rising property prices in China and the impact it has on youths and their ambitions, was a major hit with the audiences and sparked a discussion among youths online.[5] The same year, he made his film debut in A Tale of Two Donkeys (directed by Li Dawei), a black comedy film set in the Cultural Revolution.[6] Wen won the Best New Actor award at the China Movie Channel Media Awards for his performance.[7]

Mainstream success

Wen had his first major role on the screen in Xue Xiaolu's literary film, Ocean Heaven (2010), playing a 21-year-old autistic man whose only happiness is swimming. Wen was initially rejected by the producers, as he did not fit their requirements; and this prompted him to master four kinds of living strokes in one week. After he successfully got the role, Wen underwent arduous training - which involves swimming 5000 m per day and a 180-day's living with a group of autistic people, which Wen says helped him get closer to their inner mind. Wen's efforts paid off to overwhelming positive reviews from critics, and he clinched the Best Actor award at the China Movie Channel Media Awards.[8][9] The same year, Wen won the Best Actor award at the Sichuan Television Festival and Audience's Choice for Actor at the Golden Eagle Awards for his role as a war-time hero in Snow Leopard.[10][11][12]

In 2011, Wen starred in the romantic comedy Love is Not Blind alongside Bai Baihe.[13] The low-budget film became a surprise hit and ended up grossing over 350 million yuan at the Chinese box office.[14] Wen won the Best Actor award at the Hundred Flowers Award for his performance. The same year, Wen won the Best Actor award at the China TV Drama Awards for his performance in Naked Wedding.[15] The series, which explores the struggles a China couple faces when they marry for love with no house, substantial savings, or elaborate ceremonies, struck a chord with Chinese youths and become a major hit.[16][17]

In 2013, he starred as Tang Sanzang in Stephen Chow's fantasy blockbuster Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons,[18] which broke records to become the highest grossing Chinese movie then.[19] He also starred in action comedy Badges of Fury alongside Jet Li.[20] The same year, Wen launched his directorial debut, Little Daddy on the small screen; which stars himself as the lead actor.[21] He received the award for Best TV Series for the production, and the Best TV Actor award at the LETV Awards.

Post-scandal and successful comeback

Wen directed his first film, When Larry Met Mary which was released in 2016.[22] However, despite positive reviews, the film failed to do well at the box office.[23] Wen received the Best Directorial Debut award at the Golden Rooster Awards.

The same year, Wen made a successful comeback in 2016 with the hit television series, Young Marshal, a biopic based on the life of war hero Zhang Xueliang.[24]

Personal life

Wen married Chinese actress Ma Yili, who is eight years older, and they have a two-year-old daughter. They first met while appearing in a Chinese historical television drama The Jinyiwei Guard. When they filmed Struggle together, they became lovers. However, in 2014, Wen was exposed by the media to be involved in an affair with Yao Di, a Chinese actress who starred with Wen in the 2011 television series Naked Marriage. His affair attracted widespread discussion on Sina Weibo with over millions of comments.[25] On 28 July 2019, they announced their divorce on Sina Weibo.[26]

Filmography

Film
YearEnglish titleChinese titleRoleNotes
2009A Tale of Two Donkeys走着瞧Ma Jie
2010Ocean Heaven海洋天堂Da Fu
2011Mr. & Mrs. Incredible神奇侠侣Emperor[27]
The Law of Attraction万有引力Gao Yuan[28]
The Sorcerer and the White Snake白蛇传说Neng Ren[29]
Love is Not Blind失恋33天Wang Xiaojian
2012In-Laws New Year亲家过年Zhang Xuelun[30]
Truth or Dare真心话大冒险Cameo
All for Love三个未婚妈妈Cameo
The Guillotines血滴子Qian Long[31]
2013Beyond the Bounds越位者Cameo
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons西游·降魔篇Tang Sanzang
Badges of Fury不二神探Wang Bu'er
2014On the Way我在路上最爱你Xia Yu[32]
Gone with the Bullets一步之遥Wu Qi[33]
2016The Mermaid美人鱼PolicemanCameo[34]
League of Gods封神传奇Nezha[35]
When Larry Met Mary陆垚知马俐Director
2017Gong Shou Dao功守道Director[36]
2018Fat Buddies胖子行动队[37]
2019God of Practice遇神[38]

Television series
YearEnglish titleChinese titleRoleNotes
2000Bloom of Youth青春正点Chen Long
2001Black Triangle黑三角Du Liang
2003拯救少年犯Cao Xiaolei
2004You Are Smiling, While I am Weeping你在微笑我却哭了Chen Chen
2006Song of Youth青春之歌Lin Daofeng
Romantic Life与青春有关的日子Zhuo Yue
Embroidered Uniform Guard锦衣卫Zhu Tianjiao
2007暗流Duan Yifei[39]
Struggle奋斗Xiang Nan
Where is Happiness幸福在哪里Cameo
2008Brothers兄弟门Hua Xiaowen[40]
2009Prominent Family望族Du Qingming[41]
Love in Sun Moon Lake爱在日月潭Meng Ting[42]
Dwelling Narrowness蜗居Xiao Bei
2010Snow Leopard雪豹Zhou Weiguo
National Anthem国歌Nie Er[43]
冰是睡着的水Coach Gao
2011Naked Wedding裸婚时代Liu Yiyang
再过把瘾Cameo
Black Fox黑狐Luo Bin[44]
2013Blood Rose 3血色玫瑰之女子特遣队Wang Jingwei[45]
Little Daddy小爸爸Yu GuoAlso director
Love is not Blind失恋33天Cameo
2016Young Marshal少帅Zhang Xueliang
Happy Mitan欢喜密探Cameo
2017Razor剃刀边缘Xu CongliangAlso director[46]
2020Raiders of the New Way一步登天Na Lan[47]
Snow Leopard 2雪豹2Zhou Weiguo[48]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2009China Movie Channel Media AwardsBest New ActorA Tale of Two DonkeysWon[7]
2010Best ActorOcean HeavenWon[9]
2011Beijing College Student Film FestivalBest ActorNominated
Most Popular ActorWon[49]
Huabiao Film AwardsBest NewcomerWon[50]
Golden Phoenix AwardsSociety AwardWon[51]
China TV Drama AwardsBest ActorNaked WeddingWon[15]
Shanghai Television FestivalBest ActorSnow LeopardNominated
2012Golden Eagle AwardsAudience's Choice for ActorWon[12]
Most Popular ActorWon
Shanghai Television FestivalBest ActorNaked WeddingNominated
China Film Director's Guild AwardsBest ActorLove is Not BlindNominated
Beijing College Student Film FestivalBest ActorNominated
Most Popular ActorWon[52]
Hundred Flowers AwardBest ActorWon
2013Sichuan Television FestivalBest ActorSnow LeopardWon[11]
LeTV AwardsBest Director (TV)Little DaddyWon
Best Actor (TV)Won
China TV Drama AwardsBest DirectorWon
2016Asian New Talent AwardBest DirectorWhen Larry Met MaryNominated[53]
201731st Golden Rooster AwardsBest Directorial DebutWon

References
  1. "2013 Forbes China Celebrity 100 List: Fan Bingbing in Top Spot". JayneStars. 24 April 2013.
  2. "2014 Forbes China Celebrity List (Full List)". Forbes. 6 May 2014.
  3. 文章畅谈心路历程 马伊琍获影后发甜蜜短信. Sina (in Chinese). 27 December 2009.
  4. 《奋斗》火爆文章窜红 如小燕子赵薇一夜成名. Sina (in Chinese). 21 January 2008.
  5. "Hit TV Series Strikes Chord with China's "House Slaves"". The Wall Street Journal. 26 November 2009.
  6. ""A Tale of Two Donkeys" Wins Laughter in CSFF". China Radio International. 9 April 2010.
  7. 电影频道传媒大奖揭晓 《走着瞧》成最大赢家. NetEase (in Chinese). 22 June 2009.
  8. "'Ocean Heaven' Actor Wen Zhang: It's Good to Learn". China Radio International. 15 June 2010.
  9. "Actor 'Little octopus' says We Can". China Daily. 29 July 2010.
  10. 文章从男孩蜕变为男人 《雪豹》中首演军人. Sina (in Chinese). 19 August 2010.
  11. ""A Bite of China", "Downton Abbey" win top prizes". CCTV.com. 19 November 2013.
  12. "Golden Eagle TV Art Festival opens in Hunan Province". CCTV.com. 11 September 2012.
  13. "Wen Zhang, Bai Baihe join 'Love is not Blind'". China Daily. 16 October 2012.
  14. "Love Is Not Blind is a box office hit in China". Asia Pacific Arts. 22 November 2011.
  15. "Sheren Tang and Kevin Cheng Win Most Popular Artist Awards in Beijing". JayneStars. 27 December 2011.
  16. 《裸婚时代》开播即成收视冠军 话题十足引争议. Tencent (in Chinese). 23 June 2011.
  17. 《裸婚时代》江苏卫视热播 导演解读80后新婚姻. Sina (in Chinese). 13 June 2011.
  18. 《新大话》星爷再演孙悟空 舒淇文章或加盟. Mtime (in Chinese). 14 July 2011.
  19. "Film Review: 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons'". Variety. 10 March 2013.
  20. 《不二神探》首发预告定档6.28 文章李连杰再联手. Mtime (in Chinese). 1 May 2013.
  21. 文章首当导演拍《小爸爸》 马伊琍成制片人[图]. People.com (in Chinese). 6 December 2012.
  22. "Actor Wen's romantic comedy set for July release". China Daily. 6 June 2016.
  23. "Box-office takings wilt in the heat of summer". China Daily. 5 August 2016.
  24. "A look at the Xi'an Incident hero's formative years". China Daily. 21 January 2016.
  25. "Actor's cheating apology sets China social network on fire". Sina. 31 March 2014.
  26. 文章马伊琍情路回顾：几度合作拍戏，历经出轨门. 163.com (in Chinese). 28 July 2019.
  27. 喜剧电影《神奇侠侣》配角也出彩 "神奇四宝”贺新年. China Radio International (in Chinese). 5 January 2011.
  28. 文章白百何邂逅《万有引力》 明星爸妈演绎纯爱. Tencent (in Chinese). 1 April 2011.
  29. "Charlene Choi, Wen Zhang seen in new film". China.org.cn. 1 July 2011.
  30. 《亲家过年》刘芸与文章同甘共苦(图). Sina (in Chinese). 22 January 2012.
  31. 《血滴子》曝阴谋预告片 大boss文章现身. Sina (in Chinese). 30 October 2012.
  32. "Wen Zhang to Star in 3D Film 'On the Road'". China Radio International. 15 November 2011.
  33. "Wen Zhang, Wang Zhiwen join Jiang Wen's new film". China Daily. 19 August 2013.
  34. 周星驰新片"美人鱼"曝片场照 邓超文章现身东莞 一个西装革履一个扮民警. Mtime (in Chinese). 6 January 2015.
  35. 奇幻片《封神传奇》曝终极预告 李连杰范冰冰等众星集结 光明黑暗之战曝光. Mtime (in Chinese). 21 July 2016.
  36. 《功守道》男主马云导演文章 网友：爸爸要当影帝. Sina (in Chinese). 29 October 2017.
  37. 《胖子行动队》终极海报曝光登陆国庆 文章包贝尔 300斤重磅特工展“不凡”身手. Mtime (in Chinese). 14 September 2018.
  38. 奇幻喜剧《遇神》开机 文章白客邓家佳热拍中. NetEase (in Chinese). 5 June 2019.
  39. 青年演员文章《奋斗》之后 变身警察进《暗流》. Sina (in Chinese). 15 November 2006.
  40. 齐欢文章再聚《兄弟门》 搭档吴秀波上演三角情. Sina (in Chinese). 5 August 2011.
  41. 文章《望族》成功转型 胡玫赞其低调稳重(组图). Sina (in Chinese). 20 July 2009.
  42. 林心如、文章《爱在日月潭》. Sina (in Chinese). 1 July 2008.
  43. 文章《国歌》演聂耳 乐器自备曲子自弹(图). Sina (in Chinese). 14 April 2009.
  44. 文章出演《黑狐》担任监制 延续《雪豹》班底. Sina (in Chinese). 27 December 2011.
  45. 文章《血色玫瑰3》挑战阴郁反派汪精卫. Sina (in Chinese). 14 March 2013.
  46. "Star couple to play in 'Spy Game'". China Daily. 17 March 2017.
  47. 《一步登天》开机 闫妮搭档文章盼擦出火花. Sohu (in Chinese). 21 April 2017.
  48. 文章张铭恩加盟《雪豹2》 吴刚未出演全阵容待宣. Sina (in Chinese). 3 July 2019.
  49. 第18届北京大学生电影节落幕. enorth.com (in Chinese). 30 April 2011.
  50. "Huabiao awards winners announced". CCTV.com. 30 August 2011.
  51. 第十三届"金凤凰奖"揭晓 百余名表演艺术家出席. China.com (in Chinese). 12 August 2011.
  52. "19th Beijing College Student Film Festival wraps up". China.org.cn. 27 April 2012.
  53. "Candidates for the Asian New Talent Award". Shanghai Daily. 20 June 2016.
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