赵本山

简介

Zhao Benshan was born on October 2, 1957, in Lianhua Town, Kaiyuan County, Liaoning Province in northeastern China. He had a difficult childhood, losing his mother at an early age and receiving no formal education, surviving by performing the traditional northeastern Chinese folk art of errenzhuan. He began his artistic career in the 1980s and rose to prominence in China's three northeastern provinces. In 1987, comedian Jiang Kun recommended him for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, but he was rejected four times. In 1990, he finally made his debut on the Gala with a comedy sketch that made him an overnight sensation. From 1990 to 2011, Zhao Benshan appeared on the Spring Festival Gala 22 times, winning the "Most Popular Work" award for consecutive years, leaving a lasting impression with his portrayal of northeastern farmers, especially through his collaborations with Gao Xiumin and Song Dandan. In 1993, he founded an art development company that profited from coal and transport, accumulating capital for his cultural ventures. In 2003, he established Benshan Media and created the "Laogen Grand Stage" to manage the errenzhuan performance market. In 2004, he partnered with Liaoning University to found the Benshan Art College at Liaoning University, serving as its dean. In 2005, he became chairman of the Liaoning football club but later withdrew due to poor team performance. In 2007, he conducted his first US tour. In 2009, he traveled to the United States to study the CEO program at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. In January 2013, he announced his retirement from comedy sketches and focused on film and television production. In 2019, his company was renamed Liaoning Folk Art Troupe Co., Ltd. In 2021, he stepped down as legal representative, chairman, and general manager. In 2025, he returned to the stage with the "Joyful Chinese New Year" global tour covering New York, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Singapore. In July 2026, his daughter announced that he had retired from performing and settled in Sanya.