Gong Li was born in Shenyang, China, in 1965. She showed an aptitude for acting even as a child, and entered the Central Academy of Drama in 1985. She was discovered by director Zhang Yimou in 1987 when he cast her, while still a student, in his movie Red Sorghum. Her curriculum vitae (below) is impressive, including many internationally acclaimed films. She has won several awards, including the 1992 Venice Film Festival's Volpi Cup (for her work in Qiu Ju). Gong Li was also awarded the French government's "Officer des Arts et Lettres" in 1988 for her contributions to the world of cinema.
In addition to her impressive talent, she is considered to be a very beautiful woman (she has been L'Oreal Cosmetics' 'beauty ambassador'), and has been vocal in many of the political and artistic struggles that have taken place in China in recent years.
On a more personal note, Gong Li's long-term love affair with director Zhang Yimou definitively ended recently, with her marriage to Singaporean-born businessman, Ooi Hoe Siong.
Film titles marked with a 
denote films directed by Zhang Yimou. Film titles marked with a 
denote films directed by Chen Kaige.
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Follow this link for another biography of Gong Li.
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