Huang Qiuyan (1987–1990) Nina Li Chi (1999–present)
Awards
Hong Kong Film Award: Best Actor 2008 The Warlords Golden Horse Award: Special Award 1995 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award: Best Actor 2006 Fearless
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Li Lianjie (Chinese: 李連杰; born April 26, 1963), better known by his stage nameJet Li, is a Chinese-born Singaporean martial artist, actor, and philanthropist. He is best known for his martial arts films, his wuxia films, and his modern action films, including movies that use gun fu. Li is widely seen as one of the most iconic Chinese film stars and one of the greatest martial arts actors in movie history. He has been successful in both Asian cinema and later in Hollywood.
His most iconic films include Shaolin Temple (1982), Once Upon a Time in China (1991), Hero (2002), and Fearless (2006). He made a film with fellow martial arts star Jackie Chan called The Forbidden Kingdom (2008).
Early life and martial arts career
Li began practising Wushu when he was eight years old. From 1974 to 1979, he won the title of Men's All-Around National Wushu Champion five times.
Li is skilled in many Wushu styles. His main styles are Chángquán (Northern Longfist) and Fānziquán (Tumbling Fist). He has also mastered Wushu's main weapons, including the Sanjiegun (Three‑Section Staff), Gùn (staff), Dao (broadsword), and Jian (straight sword).
Li has also studied other martial arts, such as Baguazhang (Eight Trigram Palm), Taijiquan (Tai Chi), Xing Yi Quan (Shape‑Intent Fist), Zui Quan (Drunken Fist), Ying Zhao Quan (Eagle Claw Fist), and Tanglangquan (Praying Mantis Fist).
Film career
After retiring from competitive Wushu at age 18, Jet Li became famous as an actor. He made his movie debut in the Chinese–Hong Kong martial arts film Shaolin Temple (1982). The film was a huge success and made him a major star in East Asia.
Li continued to be successful with two follow-up films, Kids From Shaolin and Martial Arts of Shaolin. He became even more famous across Asia with the Once Upon a Time in China series (1991–1993), produced by Tsui Hark, where he played the Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung. He also directed and starred in Born to Defence (1986), which was his first film as a director. Many of his 1990s martial arts films are seen as classics, especially Swordsman II (1992), Fong Sai-yuk (1993), and Fist of Legend (1994).
In the late 1990s, Li changed his screen image from a period kung fu star to a modern action hero. He appeared in several Hong Kong action films that mixed gunplay and martial arts (often called "gun fu"), including High Risk (1995), Black Mask (1996), and Hitman (1998).
Li made his Hollywood debut as a villain in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998). His first leading role in Hollywood was as Han Sing in Romeo Must Die (2000). He later starred in international action films, including the French-produced Kiss of the Dragon (2001) and Unleashed (2005). He also continued acting in Chinese and Hong Kong cinema, appearing in the highly praised Hero (2002), Fearless (2006), which was his final wushu martial arts film, and The Warlords (2007). For The Warlords, he became the highest-paid actor in a Chinese-language film, breaking his own record set by Hero.
In 2008, Li played the main villain in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and starred in The Forbidden Kingdom, his first on-screen collaboration with fellow martial arts star Jackie Chan. After being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2010, Li reduced his physically demanding roles. He acted in the drama Ocean Heaven (2010) and appeared in The Expendables (2010) and its two sequels.
In 2026, Li appeared in the wuxia film Blades of the Guardians (also known as The Valiant Ones), directed by Yuen Woo-ping. The film marked a major return to action work after years of reduced activity due to his health and his focus on charity work. It became the top-grossing wuxia film of all time at the Chinese box office.
Philanthropy
After a long movie career, Jet Li began focusing on charity work in 2007. He started the One Foundation, an independent charity group in mainland China. The foundation mainly works on natural disaster relief, environmental protection, medical care, education, and helping people in poverty. Since it was created, Li has taken part in recovery efforts for several major disasters, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan in 2008, and the 2013 Lushan earthquake in Ya'an, Sichuan.
Li also founded Taiji Zen, an online health and wellness program providing instruction in meditation and Tai chi.
Artistry, influence and cultural impact
Li's movies often include Buddhist ideas, which reflect his own Buddhist beliefs. This can be seen in films such as Shaolin Temple (1982), Hero (2002), Unleashed (2005), and Fearless (2006).
Li is considered one of the most iconic Chinese film stars and one of the most famous martial arts actors of his generation. Many people also see him as one of the greatest martial arts stars in movie history. He appeared on the cover of Time magazine twice: in 2002 for his role in Hero, and in 2008 for his charity work with the One Foundation. In 2010, Time named him one of the 100 Most Influential People.
Li's movie career in China is credited with helping bring new attention to the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng. His 1982 film Shaolin Temple is often seen as the movie that helped revive interest in the temple and in Chinese martial arts. The film also spawned a revival of popularity in mainstream martial arts in China. Li is also credited with helping bring wushu back into Hong Kong martial arts films during the 1990s. His work also helped make modern wuxia films popular around the world.
Li's career has crossed many cultures and countries outside mainland China and Hong Kong, including Hollywood and France.
During his career, Li has consistently collaborated with Hong Kong filmmakerYuen Woo-ping. Yuen has described Li as the "best martial arts performer" he has worked with.
Many martial artists and filmmakers have said Li inspired them. These include Tony Jaa, Robin Shou, Mark Dacascos, Yayan Ruhian, Iko Uwais, Chad Stahelski, Daniel Wu, Jason Scott Lee, Lewis Tan, Jaden He Jingde, Lester Pimentel, Janice Hung, Cung Le, Zara Phythian, Silvio Simac, Kevin Lee, Gareth Evans, Israel Adesanya, Michael Page, Aung La Nsang, Rahul Raju, Song Yadong, Giga Chikadze, Ricky Turcios, Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, John Albert, Cody Hackman, and Brandon Kahn.
Li has also been named as an influence on the John Wick series, the video game character Johnny Gat, and the album Glow On by the band Turnstile.
Chinese actor and martial artist Vincent Zhao was widely considered the "next Jet Li".
Personal life
Li stands at a height of 5 ft 6 in. He weighs 145 lbs.
Li wrote a memoir called Beyond Life and Death: The Way of True Freedom (2026). In the book, he talks about his movie career, his personal life, his philosophies, and his Buddhist practice.
Li has four daughters. He shares two daughters, Si and Taimi Li, with his first wife, Huang Qiuyan, and two daughters, Jane and Jada Li, with his second wife, Hong Kong actress Nina Li Chi.
Li has a YouTube channel called Jet Li. It features videos of him talking to his fans, addressing some issues in sort of a Q&A-type fashion, and even making fun content with his daughters.
↑"李连杰20年前移民美国 被证实已经移民新加坡"[Jet Li, emigrated to United States 20 years ago, has been confirmed migrated to Singapore]. News.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
