In the West, Chinese cinema is generally associated with simple martial arts films, some excellent, others with far less developed screenplays... Yet it's important to know that it benefits from great diversity across genres (dramatic films, historical films, auteur films...), often carried by talented actors.     Few people in the Western world know the true stars of cinema in China. Yet some of them enjoy genuine popularity among the Chinese. Here's a brief overview of the greatest actors recognized for their talent, personality and career.

1/ Jet Li

An undeniable star of Kung Fu, Jet Li is an actor recognized around the world. His popularity makes him one of China's greatest sources of pride.  His first steps in the series Temple Shaolin  immediately catapult him into the spotlight and reveal his talents to the eyes of China.  He is now a celebrated actor worldwide and receives major roles alongside Hollywood's biggest names.    

2/ Jackie Chan 

Major actor of Kung Fu films, action choreographer, director, producer and even screenwriter, Jackie Chan is today a personality in his own right. He quickly sets himself apart with his original style blending humor and acrobatics and rapidly becomes an international superstar like Bruce Lee.    

3/ Bruce Lee 

Presented as the greatest master of martial arts in 20th century world cinema, Bruce Lee became an icon in Hong Kong and around the world. He is a reference for many Chinese actors such as Jackie Chan or Jet Li, as well as for foreign martial arts actors like Jean-Claude Van Damme or Chuck Norris. Bruce Lee is now a legend of martial arts cinema.  

4/ Chen Kun 

Young Chinese actor and singer, Chen Kun has mainly performed on television. He nonetheless obtained roles in major films such as Balzac, making him one of the most in-demand actors of the moment. Chen Kun quickly became the icon of the new generation of Chinese artists.  

5/ Andy Lau 

His career began with multiple roles in television series. His title of best actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2000 for his role in Running Out of Time confirmed to everyone his talent. A Hong Kong actor but also a singer, Andy Lau's genius is recognized throughout China.    

6/ Ge You 

Ge You is a film actor very popular in China for his numerous appearances in successful films. Highly appreciated by director Feng Xiaogang, he frequently works alongside him on typical Chinese films.  In 1994, Ge You received the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in To Live. He remains nonetheless very little known to the Western world while his reputation continues to grow with the Chinese public.    

7/ Jiang Wen 

A very great actor-director, Jiang Wen has the distinction of being Sino-French. His performances in the television series A Beijing Native in New York quickly launch his acting career. He rapidly becomes a reference as a Chinese actor. In the West, Jiang Wen is popular thanks to the film Red Sorghum in which he plays alongside Gong Li.  His passion for cinema later pushes him toward directing, beginning with his first film In the Heat of the Sun, in 1994.    

8/ Wang Xueqi 

A famous Chinese actor with a career spanning over 25 years, Wang Xueqi is recognized in China as a character actor. He is especially known for his roles in numerous historical films. Wang Xueqi also directed the film Sun Bird alongside screenwriter Yang Liping, which won a Grand Special Prize at the Montreal Film Festival.    

9/ Huang Xiaoming 

Huang Xiaoming is a young Chinese actor, singer and model. Currently, he is often designated as the idol of youth. The series Da Han Tian Zi, which enjoyed great success in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, reveals the young actor in 2001. It was in 2007 that Huang Xiaoming truly began his film career with appearances in films like The Sniper, The Message and Ip Man 2. In 2010, he became the first Chinese actor to appear in a Taiwanese drama series.    

10/ Sun Honglei 

Considered one of the best actors of his generation in China, Sun Honglei made his name with his first role in a TV movie. His acting talents quickly made him a recognized actor and earned him multiple Best Actor awards.  

11/Hu Jun 

Known mainly for his dramatic roles in films and television series, Hu Jun became popular with the film East Palace, for which he receives the Best Actor award at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy. Subsequently, he was given many dramatic roles including one in which he plays a homosexual character. This role earned him recognition beyond China's borders.  

12/Tony Leung Chiu Wai 

With over 60 films to his credit, Tony Leung Chiu Wai is an essential actor of Chinese cinema. He emerged in the action film Hard Boiled in 1992 and became one of the best Hong Kong actors of his generation. Later, he won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for the film In the Mood for Love.    

13/Gordon Liu 

An icon of Hong Kong martial arts cinema, Gordon Liu is famous for his first role in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. He also appeared in both volumes of Kill Bill, making him an actor of international renown.

14/ Stephen Chow 

Famous throughout Asia, Stephen Chow established himself as a comedic reference in Hong Kong and China. Highly versatile, he is simultaneously an actor, screenwriter, director and producer. It is nonetheless in comedy and parody that he excels, imposing his humor and often absurd dialogue, as in his film Shaolin Soccer.  

15/ Donnie Yen 

At 21, he landed his first cinema role in the film Drunken Tai-Chi. An expert in martial arts, he took advantage of Jet Li's retirement to establish himself in Hong Kong. He then continued his success with his collaborator Wilson Yip. His career exploded with his performance in the film Ip Man, recognized as one of the best martial arts films, in which he plays the lead character.    

This list was created to help you discover a small part of China's cinematographic world, of incredible richness and diversity. These actors are very famous and are a source of pride for China. Did you know them all  ? What other actors would you recommend?