Zhao Lei

Acting

Zhao Lei

Born January 1, 1928 · Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China

Died June 24, 1996 · aged 68

Zhao Lei (simplified Chinese: 赵雷; traditional Chinese: 趙雷) was a Chinese actor born in 1928 as Wang Yumin (王育民). He moved to Hong Kong in 1947, joined the Shaw Brothers Studio in 1953. He was one of the most popular male leads in the cinema of Hong Kong and Taiwan in the 1950s and 60s. He frequently played the role of an Emperor and is often called the "Film Emperor". He died in Hong Kong on 24 Ju…

Known For

Just HeroesJust Heroes · 1989
Just Heroes
6.61989
MovieActionCrime
A respected and well liked gang-boss is betrayed and killed. One of his three adopted sons are to take his place. One of them is the traitor.
Forever GoodbyeForever Goodbye · 1955
Forever Goodbye
1955
MovieDrama
Forever Goodbye 自 君 別 後 (1955) aka Since You Went Away is a Hong Kong Mandarin-language drama film directed by Wang Yin, filmed in Australia and produced by Shaw Brothers Studio. It stars Sek Ying, Chao Lei, Yang Chi-Ching and Wu Chia-Hsiang. This is loosely based on John Luther Long's "Madame Butterfly".
Marriage AngleMarriage Angle · 1954
Marriage Angle
1954
MovieDrama
Marriage Angle is a Hong Kong Mandarin-language feature film of the drama genre, written and directed by Wang Yin, produced by Shaw Brothers Studio, Liu Chi and Chow Sze-Ching were the cinematographers.
The Lady of MysteryThe Lady of Mystery · 1957
The Lady of Mystery
9.01957
MovieThriller
Spies, Military Documents and Traitors.
Empress WuEmpress Wu · 1963
Empress Wu
6.41963
MovieDramaHistory
The renowned Li Li Hua plays Wu Ze Tian, the most famous woman in China's four thousand year history.
Cheat to CheatCheat to Cheat · 1973
Cheat to Cheat
7.01973
MovieComedy
Hong Kong comedy directed by Li Han-Hsiang.
In The BeginningIn The Beginning · 1979
In The Beginning
8.01979
Movie
Fantasy film from Taiwan, featuring the Chinese creation mythology of Pangu and Nüwa.
The Magnificent ConcubineThe Magnificent Concubine · 1962
The Magnificent Concubine
6.01962
MovieDramaHistory
Perhaps the most notorious concubine in Chinese history, Yang Guifei set a pudgy standard of beauty in her days of glory during the Tang dynasty. The Emperor Minghuang was so besotted with the woman that when An Lushan stages his rebellion against the empire, the ruler takes Yang Guifei along with his imperial entourage in an escape to the mountainous area of modern-day Sichuan, and sanctuary of sorts. But the concubine had roused the jealousy of the court and unfortunately for her and to the great sorrow of the king, her brother and others among the king's retainers demanded she be strangled to death while they were still in the mountains. This is the story told in this interesting Taiwanese adaptation by director Li Han-hsiang (Li Hanxiang).

Filmography

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The Magnificent ConcubineThe Magnificent Concubine · 1962
The Magnificent Concubine
6.01962
MovieDramaHistory
Perhaps the most notorious concubine in Chinese history, Yang Guifei set a pudgy standard of beauty in her days of glory during the Tang dynasty. The Emperor Minghuang was so besotted with the woman that when An Lushan stages his rebellion against the empire, the ruler takes Yang Guifei along with his imperial entourage in an escape to the mountainous area of modern-day Sichuan, and sanctuary of sorts. But the concubine had roused the jealousy of the court and unfortunately for her and to the great sorrow of the king, her brother and others among the king's retainers demanded she be strangled to death while they were still in the mountains. This is the story told in this interesting Taiwanese adaptation by director Li Han-hsiang (Li Hanxiang).

Assassin

Beauty of BeautiesBeauty of Beauties · 1965
Beauty of Beauties
7.01965
MovieHistoryDrama
Hsi Shih: The Beauty of Beauties was one of the most ambitious films made in the Taiwan film industry in the 1960s. After leaving The Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong and moving to Taiwan, filmmaker Li Han-hsiang mounted this historical epic. Told through the story of Xishi (Hsi Shih), one of the 'Four Great Beauties' of Chinese history, the film portrays the war between two Chinese Kingdoms during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C). After the kingdom of Yue is defeated by the kingdom of Wu, King Goujian of Yue takes pains to prepare for his revenge and rebuild his country. Knowing that King Fucha of Wu is lewd and lustful, he offers Xisi to the court of Wu to serve as Fucha’s concubine, with Fucha unaware that she is also a spy. She uses her charm to draw Fucha away from his office and governance, while King Goujian rallies his forces together to attempt to reclaim his lands.