Cao-Cao (actor)
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Kos-Read, better known as Cao-Cao (born 1973) is an American actor in film and television in China. While well known in China, his work is little-known in his native country. Kos-Read uses the stage name Cao-Cao, which is also the name of the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty
, a historical figure well-known to most Chinese people.
Kos-Read is "[p]robably the most famous foreigner in China since Mark Rowswell (Dashan
)." His roles have included: My Fair Gentleman (2009) (co-starring Kelly Lin
and Sun Honglei
), Empire of Silver (2009) (also starring Aaron Kwok
and Jennifer Tilly
), and Fit Lover
(2008) (also starring Nie Bing). Kos-Read has also been featured on a reality program about his life called "Here Comes Cao-Cao" broadcast on Beijing Television. The title of the show was a reference to the Chinese proverb "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will be there" ("说曹操曹操就到"), roughly equivalent to the English saying, "Speak of the devil
." He has starred in more than 75 productions. As a caucasian who is fully fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Kos-Read frequently appears as the foreign love interest or villain, in roles that sometimes present stereotypical images of non-Chinese people. In 2009, he also appeared on stage with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in a Mandarin-language version of the orchestra's multi-media concert piece "The Galileo Project: Music of the Spheres," in performances in Kuala Lumpur and Beijing. At the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing, Kos-Read was one of those chosen to carry the Olympic torch on its way to the Olympic Stadium.
Kos-Read was born in Torrance, California
, in 1973. He attended the film and acting schools of New York University
, but completed his university career there studying molecular biology. Kos-Read began studying Mandarin Chinese at New York University, and re-located to China in 1997. His first acting role was in 1999. Kos-Read is married to a Chinese citizen, and has one daughter.
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
, a historical figure well-known to most Chinese people.
Kos-Read is "[p]robably the most famous foreigner in China since Mark Rowswell (Dashan
Dashan
Dashan is the Chinese stage name adopted by Canadian Mark Henry Rowswell, CM who works as a freelance performer in People's Republic of China. Relatively unknown in the West, Dashan is the most famous Western personality in China's media industry. He occupies a unique position as a foreign...
)." His roles have included: My Fair Gentleman (2009) (co-starring Kelly Lin
Kelly Lin
Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei is a Taiwanese actress and model who has appeared mainly in Hong Kong films.-Biography:Lin was born in Taiwan in 1975. She moved to Santa Barbara, California with her family at the age of 12. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Degree in Economics...
and Sun Honglei
Sun Honglei
Sun Honglei, born 16 August 1970 in Harbin, China is a Chinese actor.-Background:Sun developed an interest in acting and performances at a young age. He often skipped school to learn breakdancing on the streets and eventually gave up his studies entirely to pursue dancing as a career, eventually...
), Empire of Silver (2009) (also starring Aaron Kwok
Aaron Kwok
Aaron Kwok Fu-shing is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. He has been active since the 1980s to the present. The media refer to him, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . Kwok's onstage dancing and displays is influenced by Michael Jackson...
and Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly is an American actress and poker player. She is an Academy Award nominee, and a World Series of Poker Ladies' Event bracelet winner. She is the older sister of actress Meg Tilly.-Early life:...
), and Fit Lover
Fit Lover
Fit Lover is a 2008 Chinese romantic comedy directed by Zhang Jianya. It is the sequel to Zhang's 2007 film Call for Love. In the previous film, a divorced man must choose between a dozen women. In Fit Lover, the main protagonist, played by Karena Lam, must choose between several leading...
(2008) (also starring Nie Bing). Kos-Read has also been featured on a reality program about his life called "Here Comes Cao-Cao" broadcast on Beijing Television. The title of the show was a reference to the Chinese proverb "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will be there" ("说曹操曹操就到"), roughly equivalent to the English saying, "Speak of the devil
Speak of the Devil
"Speak of the devil" is the short form of the idiom "Speak of the devil and he doth appear". It is used when an object of discussion unexpectedly becomes present during the conversation...
." He has starred in more than 75 productions. As a caucasian who is fully fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Kos-Read frequently appears as the foreign love interest or villain, in roles that sometimes present stereotypical images of non-Chinese people. In 2009, he also appeared on stage with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in a Mandarin-language version of the orchestra's multi-media concert piece "The Galileo Project: Music of the Spheres," in performances in Kuala Lumpur and Beijing. At the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing, Kos-Read was one of those chosen to carry the Olympic torch on its way to the Olympic Stadium.
Kos-Read was born in Torrance, California
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city incorporated in 1921 and located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has of shore-front beaches on the Pacific Ocean, quieter and less well-known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring...
, in 1973. He attended the film and acting schools of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, but completed his university career there studying molecular biology. Kos-Read began studying Mandarin Chinese at New York University, and re-located to China in 1997. His first acting role was in 1999. Kos-Read is married to a Chinese citizen, and has one daughter.