Meng Xiaodong

Meng Xiaodong (December 9, 1908 – May 26, 1977) was a Chinese actress of Peking opera who specialized in old sheng (male) roles.

Life

In August 1925, Meng met Mei Lanfang and they co-starred in the film Yóu lóng xī fèng (游龙戏凤). In 1927 Meng married Mei Lanfang as his concubine. At that time, Mei Lanfang already had two wives, official wife Wang Minghua and concubine Fu Zhifang.

In August 1930, Mei's aunt died. The Mei family did not recognize the marriage between Meng and Mei and refused to allow Meng to wear mourning clothes as their daughter-in-law. The two then broke up but reunited soon after. However, in mid-1931, they officially broke up. Under the mediation of Meng's lawyer, Zheng Yuxiu, and Du Yuesheng, Mei paid Meng 40,000 yuan in alimony. Two years later, in 1933, Meng announced that she had ended relations with Mei and his family on Ta Kung Pao.

On May 26, 1977, Meng died in Taipei at the age of 68.

In popular culture

Movies

Lord of East China Sea (1993) by Cecilia Yip Lord of East China Sea II (1993) by Cecilia Yip Forever Enthralled (2008) by Zhang Ziyi The Last Tycoon (2012) by Feng Wenjuan (as child) and Yuan Quan (as adult)

TV series

Shanghai, Shanghai (2010) by Yang Zimo Lord Of Shanghai (2015) by Myolie Wu

Gallery