Zhang Kaili

Zhang Kaili (born September 29, 1962) is a Chinese actress from Changchun, Jilin Province. She is a member of the Central Experimental Drama Troupe and has served as a member of the 13th and 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). In 1990, she rose to nationwide fame with her performance in the TV drama Ke Wang, which earned her the China TV Golden Eagle Awards for Best Actress.

Early life and career At the age of 16, Zhang Kaili was selected by the military and worked as a guide at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution. She later changed her career path after seeing an admission notice for the acting program at the Drama Department of Jilin Art Institute. During her studies, she performed well academically and, after graduation, spent several years working in stage drama.

In 1987, she appeared in the film 《Eight Women Throwing Themselves into the River》, marking her entry into the entertainment industry.

In 1989, China Central Television (CCTV) began casting for 《Kewang 》, the country's first indoor drama series. Zhang Kaili stood out among the candidates and was chosen to play Liu Huifang, a gentle and virtuous character markedly different from her own bold and outgoing personality. When the series aired the following year, it caused a sensation across mainland China, propelling Zhang to overnight fame. Her performance earned her the Best Actress award at the Golden Eagle Awards. However, the immense success also brought significant pressure. For a period of time, Zhang found herself typecast, which caused her considerable frustration. Her attempts to branch out into other types of roles were met with limited success.

At the end of 2011, after winning Best Supporting Actress at the National Drama Festival for 《Luohun Shidai》, Zhang Kaili received the China TV Drama Awards at the "20th Anniversary Celebration of China's Television Industry," jointly presented by the China Television Producers Committee, Directors Committee, and Screenwriters Committee. In January 2018, she was elected as a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

On January 12, 2020, Zhang Kaili was awarded the title of "Preferred Influential Actor of the Year in Integrated Media Communication."

Film and television works

TV series/web series

Film

Awards

1990 Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress 2011 National Drama Awards Best Supporting Actress 2013 National Drama Festival Actress with Powerful Acting Skills The 13th Huading Awards Best Supporting Actress in China's Top 100 TV Series