George Wang

George Wang Jie (, born Wang Chun-yang , 12 November 1918 – 27 March 2015) was a Taiwanese actor and film producer. After a beginning his career in Mainland China during the Republican era, he was an important figure in the early development of Taiwanese and Hong Kong cinema, but came to the attention of international audiences for his appearances in a multitude of Italian films during the 1960s and 1970s.

Early life Born Wang Chun-yang in Dandong, Liaoning Province, Republic of China in 1918. He enrolled in Northeastern University, where he studied economics and history, but the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War saw him abandon his studies to join Zou Taofen's National Salvation Front, adopting the nom de guerre Wang Jie , which he later used as his Chinese stage name.

Career In 1938, he enrolled in the China Film Studio's drama school in Shanghai, and the following year he made his film debut in Defending Our Homeland (保家鄉, Bǎo jiāxiāng). He moved to Chongqing, where he worked as a stage and film actor, and an anti-Japanese propagandist. He returned to Shanghai in 1947, during the Chinese Civil War. When the war made remaining in mainland China untenable, Wang led the withdrawal of most his studio's personnel and equipment to Taiwan, in 1949. He subsequently became one of the most important stars in the early years of Taiwanese cinema, Thanks to his good knowledge of English, he was also active in a number of English language productions, notably appearing in Nicholas Ray's 55 Days at Peking. He also worked as a local representative for Shaw Brothers Studio.

In 1976 Wang moved to Hong Kong, where with his son Don he founded the "Wang Film Company". He was a member of the Golden Horse Film Festival's jury in 1984, 1996, and 1998. He continued regularly appearing in films and television series until his nineties, with his final film role in 2010. In 2000, he received a Golden Horse Lifetime Achievement Award.

Personal life Wang was married twice. He had several children, including actor Don Wong Tao. He was a Roman Catholic.

Death Wang died on 27 March 2015 of heart attack at 96 years old, and he was buried thirteen days after. He received a posthumous citation by President Ma Ying-jeou in recognition of his contributions to Taiwanese cinema. Born to Be King (2000) Jin zai zhi chi (2010) as Ta-Chieh's Grandfather The Grandmaster (2013) as Third Elder (final film role)