Chen Qiang

Chen Qiang (; 1918 – 26 June 2012) was a Chinese film and stage actor and comedian best known for his performances as villains/antagonists in The Red Detachment of Women, The White Haired Girl and Devils on the Doorstep. Chen began his career as an actor in 1947 and has played more than 40 different characters since then.

His second son, Chen Peisi, is also a well-known actor and comedian.

Biography Chen was born Chen Qingsan to a poor family in Xujiahe Township of Ningjin County, in Hebei province. When he was a child, he relocated to Taiyuan, Shanxi with his parents. In 1936, he attended Taiyuan Youth Theatre and Xinsheng Theatre; both were progressive groups organized by the Chinese Communist Party. In 1938, he went to Yan'an to study acting at Lu Xun Academy of Arts. After graduating in 1939 he joined the Song and Dance Troupe of Shanxi-Chahaer-Hebei Border Region.

Chen joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1942, and made his comedy debut in The Second Uncle.

In 1945, he was cast as Huang Shiren, the despotic landlord, in the ballet play The White Haired Girl. His performance was so convincing, that an emotionally invested soldier in the audience almost shot him with a rifle in anger.

In 1947, he was an actor in Dongbei Film Studio, that same year, he participated in Leave Him to Fight Jiang.

In 1949, after the founding of the Communist State, he appeared as Lao Houtou, an old worker in The Bridge, which is the first feature film in the People's Republic. He also played as Yang Mingqing in The White Warrior.

He was transferred to Beijing Film Studio in 1953. At the same year, he appeared in the film Marriage.

In 1958 he starred in two films, He Beauty in the Picture and No Mystery Three Years Ago. And he had a supporting role in the film A Visit to Relatives.

In 1961, he starred as Nan Batian in Xie Jin's film The Red Detachment of Women,

In 1982, Chen Qiang co-starred with his son Chen Peisi in Sunset Street.

In 1986, he played the lead role as Laokui in the comedy film Father and Son.

In 1995, he won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 13th Golden Eagle Awards for his performance in When Something Amazing Happens.

Personal life Chen had two sons, Chen Buda and Chen Peisi, and a daughter, Chen Lida .

Filmography Year Title Chinese title Role Notes 1948 Leave Him to Fight Jiang An old farmer 1949 The White Warrior Yang Mingqing The Bridge Hou Zhanxi 1950 The White Haired Girl Huang Shiren 1953 Marriage Tian Gaohong 1954 A Resolution Si Laogang 1958 No Mystery Three Years Ago Zhao Mantun Stories of Young Pioneers Zhang Laogong He Beauty in the Picture The emperor A Visit to Relatives Lao Qiantou 1959 Trial Trip Wang Wanshui Searching Evidences In Shipyard Laoqin 1960 Spring Blossoms Guiying's grandfather Cloud Seeding Xiao Kuan 1961 The Red Detachment of Women Nan Batian 1962 Strange Adventure Of A Magician Lu Huanqi 1965 Driving Test Laoliang 1975 Hai Xia Wang Fa 1976 The Bright Pearls at Sea Big Guo 1978 The Great River Flows On Hai Qing 1979 What A Family Laohu 1982 The Sea is Calling Chen Hongye Princess Peacocks The emperor 1983 Sunset Street Lao Suntou 1984 Getting Rich in Their Own Way Big Li 1986 Father and Son Laokui 1987 Erzi Runs an Inn Laokui The shopkeeper Ma Bits and Pieces Grandfather Yu 1988 Innocent Killer Fang Er'tou The Silly Manager Laokui 1990 Father, Son and the Old Car Laokui Eyes of the People 1991 A Gentleman's Revenge Chen's father 1992 Father and Son Open A Bar Laokui 1994 When Something Amazing Happens Chen Yinsuo The Long March 1995 Her Majesty Is Fine His Royal Highness 1997 He's father 1999 A Beautiful Sunset of Life Lao Suntou 2001 Devils on the Doorstep One-stroke Liu

Awards Year Work Award Result Notes 1951 The White Haired Girl 6th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival – Special Recognition Award 1962 The Red Detachment of Women Hundred Flowers Award for Best Supporting Actor 1964 3rd Asian - African Film Festival – Best Actor Award 1995 When Something Amazing Happens 13th Golden Eagle Awards – Best Supporting Actor Award 2008 29th Hundred Flowers Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award