Li Wanfen

Biography

Li Wanfen was a famous Chinese actress born in Beijing on January 29, 1932, and passed away on November 14, 2000. In 1949 she was admitted to the Drama Department of North China University, and upon graduation she was assigned as an actress to the university's art troupe, beginning her theatrical career alongside the founding of the People's Republic of China. In 1950 she performed her first leading role in the large-scale play "Red Flag Song." After 1952 she moved with the troupe to the Beijing People's Art Theatre, where she participated in many stage plays. Over fifty years she created a series of diverse, humorous, and vividly realistic characters, including Pang Sinai in the play "Teahouse," Huniu in "Rickshaw Boy," Wu Zetian in "Wu Zetian," Jiang Furen in "Wang Zhaojun," Qi Bomu in "The Woman Shop Assistant," Pingyuan Jun Fūren in "Tiger Tally," and the Organization Minister in "Disaster from Within." In 1986 she performed in a sketch titled "The Gift" at the Spring Festival Gala, playing four different roles, which demonstrated her exceptional acting skills. Her role in 1983 in China's first large-scale TV series "Four Generations Under One Roof," particularly as "Dachibao," left a deep impression on millions of viewers nationwide, earning her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 4th Golden Eagle Awards. In 1993 she made a guest appearance in the sitcom "I Love My Family." She died on November 14, 2000, from a sudden heart attack.