Tang Wei
Encyclopedia
Tang Wei (born October 7, 1979) is a Chinese actress. She rose to prominence for her appearance in Lust, Caution.
. In an interview, she explained that she often traveled around China and learned to paint, adding that she was influenced by her parents. Tang graduated from a local vocational high school in her hometown in 1996, where her teachers described her as "athletic" and a "good student who always did her homework". She had no plans to become famous; she originally aspired to become an archaeologist or lawyer
. Tang made the decision to enter the entertainment industry after doing some modeling in 1997. She graduated from the Central Academy of Drama
in 2002.
Tang met Zhu Yuchen
in 1995. A Shanghai
native, both were majoring in drama and acting. By 1998, the couple had moved in together while continuing to receive university education. They officially split in 2002, a few weeks before Zhu and Tang obtained degrees at the acting school, and Tang was reported to be distraught and crying upon witnessing their graduation ceremony.
Shortly after her university graduation, Tang met Stan Lai
during one of his trips to China. He was impressed by the actress, and was quoted as saying, "The number of stars may not be good actors, a lot of good actors may not be good stars, but Tang Wei was fortunate to have done it." He proceeded to recommend her to several directors and was thus cast in more roles, although she was relatively unknown outside her hometown in China at this time. Nonetheless, Tang starred in a TV series, Policewoman Swallow (2004) and a brief university drama, Che Guevara (2004). After working with a more diverse group of actresses, she also appeared in TV dramas Leaving Seafront Street (2005), East Meets West (2005) and Born in the 60s (2006).
's Lust, Caution (2007) as Wong Chia Chi, co-starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Joan Chen
, and Leehom Wang. She learned both Shanghainese and the related Suzhou dialect
during this time, and was trained in a more formal style of dressing and acting. Tang won the Best New Performer Golden Horse award. Tang was also nominated for the Independent Spirit Award, and was present at the ceremony in Santa Monica, California
in February 2008. She received wider fame throughout and beyond China after this role. In March 2008, China's State Administration of Radio Film and Television
(SARFT) ordered a media ban due to Tang's performance of sexual acts in Lust, Caution. Because of the controversy instigated by the statement, this was followed by discontinuing most of Tang's forthcoming TV commercials to endorse various snack foods and cosmetics.
Following the success of Lust, Caution, Tang and her parents obtained residency in Hong Kong
. She ended a three-year relationship with Tian Yu (田羽) in December 2007. She would not reveal further details or reasons for the split, but stated, "Tian Yu is important to me, and for years, he was the person who treated me the best. He always cared about and helped me quietly. Without him, I definitely would not have played a role in Lust, Caution, and wouldn't have the success I've made today. I will always feel grateful to him."
's budget period film The Warrior and the Wolf
(2009), but was replaced by Maggie Q
. In February 2009, during her absence from the movie industry, she was reported to have briefly attended drama classes at the University of Reading
in the United Kingdom
.
From November 2009 to March 2010, Tang filmed with Hyun Bin
in Late Autumn (2010), directed by Kim Tae-Yong. Late Autumn was shot in Seattle, Washington
. In Crossing Hennessy
(2010), a romantic drama, with Jacky Cheung
, Tang plays the orphaned Oi Lin who falls for the troubled Xu. Her uncle proceeds to attempt to avert the attraction to another man, and succeeds as the plan ends in marriage. She learned Cantonese during this time, and was reported to be very capable despite the limited filming time and her role in the movie. Tang's first film to be shown in China since Lust, Caution, a March 2010 news article quoted her as saying, "Coming to Hong Kong
for this premiere, I can see director Ivy and co-star Andy On
again. I've been very happy. Now I'm just excited to see the movie. I will be happy if everyone can see my work."
In September 2010, it was announced she was set to star in The Founding of a Party (2011). In May 2011, Tang's scenes were deemed too explicit. Subsequently, Mao Zedong
's grandson, Mao Xinyu
, ordered them to be cut from the movie entirely.
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|3 Idiots
三傻大闹好莱坞 || voice actor ||
|}
Forbes China Rich List
1979–2006: Early life and beginnings
Tang is the only child of a former stage actress and painterPainting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. In an interview, she explained that she often traveled around China and learned to paint, adding that she was influenced by her parents. Tang graduated from a local vocational high school in her hometown in 1996, where her teachers described her as "athletic" and a "good student who always did her homework". She had no plans to become famous; she originally aspired to become an archaeologist or lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
. Tang made the decision to enter the entertainment industry after doing some modeling in 1997. She graduated from the Central Academy of Drama
Central Academy of Drama
The Central Academy of Drama is a drama school in Beijing, People's Republic of China.-History:The academy was established in April 1950. It was named by Mao Zedong. It inherited the drama department of Lu Xun Art Academy in Yan'an, art school of North China University, and National Drama College...
in 2002.
Tang met Zhu Yuchen
Zhu Yuchen
Zhu Yuchen is a Chinese film actor.He dated Tang Wei since 1995 and split shortly before both graduated from the Central Academy of Drama in 2002.-Filmography:-External links:*...
in 1995. A Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
native, both were majoring in drama and acting. By 1998, the couple had moved in together while continuing to receive university education. They officially split in 2002, a few weeks before Zhu and Tang obtained degrees at the acting school, and Tang was reported to be distraught and crying upon witnessing their graduation ceremony.
Shortly after her university graduation, Tang met Stan Lai
Stan Lai
Stan Lai or Lai Sheng-chuan is a highly influential award-winning US born Taiwan based playwright and theater director, also known for his award-winning feature films, known for Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land...
during one of his trips to China. He was impressed by the actress, and was quoted as saying, "The number of stars may not be good actors, a lot of good actors may not be good stars, but Tang Wei was fortunate to have done it." He proceeded to recommend her to several directors and was thus cast in more roles, although she was relatively unknown outside her hometown in China at this time. Nonetheless, Tang starred in a TV series, Policewoman Swallow (2004) and a brief university drama, Che Guevara (2004). After working with a more diverse group of actresses, she also appeared in TV dramas Leaving Seafront Street (2005), East Meets West (2005) and Born in the 60s (2006).
2006–08: Lust, Caution
In July 2006, Tang was selected from more than 10,000 actresses to appear in Ang LeeAng Lee
Ang Lee is a Taiwanese film director. Lee has directed a diverse set of films such as Eat Drink Man Woman , Sense and Sensibility , Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon , Hulk , and Brokeback Mountain , for which he won an Academy...
's Lust, Caution (2007) as Wong Chia Chi, co-starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Joan Chen
Joan Chen
Joan Chong Chen is a Chinese American actress, film director, screenwriter and film producer. She became famous in China for her performance in the 1979 film Little Flower and came to international attention for her performance in the 1987 Academy Award-winning film The Last Emperor...
, and Leehom Wang. She learned both Shanghainese and the related Suzhou dialect
Suzhou dialect
Suzhou dialect is a dialect of Wu, one of the subdivisions of Chinese spoken language. It is spoken in the city of Suzhou, in Jiangsu province of China, and is the traditional prestige dialect of Wu....
during this time, and was trained in a more formal style of dressing and acting. Tang won the Best New Performer Golden Horse award. Tang was also nominated for the Independent Spirit Award, and was present at the ceremony in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
in February 2008. She received wider fame throughout and beyond China after this role. In March 2008, China's State Administration of Radio Film and Television
State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television
The State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television is an executive branch under the State Council of the People's Republic of China...
(SARFT) ordered a media ban due to Tang's performance of sexual acts in Lust, Caution. Because of the controversy instigated by the statement, this was followed by discontinuing most of Tang's forthcoming TV commercials to endorse various snack foods and cosmetics.
Following the success of Lust, Caution, Tang and her parents obtained residency in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. She ended a three-year relationship with Tian Yu (田羽) in December 2007. She would not reveal further details or reasons for the split, but stated, "Tian Yu is important to me, and for years, he was the person who treated me the best. He always cared about and helped me quietly. Without him, I definitely would not have played a role in Lust, Caution, and wouldn't have the success I've made today. I will always feel grateful to him."
2009–present: Late Autumn and Crossing Hennessey
She was set to star in Tian ZhuangzhuangTian Zhuangzhuang
Tian Zhuangzhuang is a Chinese film director and producer.Tian was born to an influential actor and actress in China. Following a short stint in the military, Tian began his artistic career first as an amateur photographer and then as an assistant cinematographer at the Beijing Agricultural Film...
's budget period film The Warrior and the Wolf
The Warrior and the Wolf
The Warrior and the Wolf is an Chinese historical action film directed by veteran filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang. The film tells the story of the battle between two ancient warriors. It is Tian's latest directorial effort since 2006's The Go Master....
(2009), but was replaced by Maggie Q
Maggie Q
Margaret Denise Quigley , professionally known as Maggie Q, is an American-born actress and former fashion model. She currently stars as the titular character on the action-thriller TV series Nikita.-Early life:...
. In February 2009, during her absence from the movie industry, she was reported to have briefly attended drama classes at the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
From November 2009 to March 2010, Tang filmed with Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his lead roles in the dramas My Name is Kim Sam Soon in 2005, and Secret Garden in 2010.-Career:...
in Late Autumn (2010), directed by Kim Tae-Yong. Late Autumn was shot in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. In Crossing Hennessy
Crossing Hennessy
Crossing Hennessy is a 2010 Hong Kong film directed by Ivy Ho. It was filmed from March to May 2009, and stars Jacky Cheung and Tang Wei. It is a remake of Crossing Delancey ....
(2010), a romantic drama, with Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
, Tang plays the orphaned Oi Lin who falls for the troubled Xu. Her uncle proceeds to attempt to avert the attraction to another man, and succeeds as the plan ends in marriage. She learned Cantonese during this time, and was reported to be very capable despite the limited filming time and her role in the movie. Tang's first film to be shown in China since Lust, Caution, a March 2010 news article quoted her as saying, "Coming to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
for this premiere, I can see director Ivy and co-star Andy On
Andy On
Andy On Chi-kit is a Chinese American actor and martial artist.-Biography:On was born on 11 May 1977, in Providence, Rhode Island. As a native to the USA, Andy On can speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese...
again. I've been very happy. Now I'm just excited to see the movie. I will be happy if everyone can see my work."
In September 2010, it was announced she was set to star in The Founding of a Party (2011). In May 2011, Tang's scenes were deemed too explicit. Subsequently, Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
's grandson, Mao Xinyu
Mao Xinyu
Mao Xinyu , born Saturday, January 17, 1970, is a Chinese historian and military officer, and grandson of Mao Zedong.-Career:Mao Xinyu graduated from the History Department of Renmin University of China in 1992. He works as a researcher at the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences,...
, ordered them to be cut from the movie entirely.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Chinese Female Football 中國女足 |
||
| 2001 | A Dream Like a Dream 如夢之夢 |
||
| 2004 | Policewoman Swallow 警花燕子 |
Swallow | |
| Che Guevara 切·格瓦拉 |
|||
| 2005 | Brother, Brother 兄弟啊兄弟 |
||
| Leaving Seafront Street 後海前街 |
Yan Lei | ||
| Qingqian Nalati 情牽那拉提 |
Chen Yan | ||
| 2006 | Born in the 60s 生於六十年代 |
Yue Linlin | |
| 2007 | Hongqiqu De Ernümen 紅旗渠的兒女們 |
Ning Xiaoya | |
| 2006 | Silent Tears 女人不哭 |
Shang Li | |
| Lust, Caution 色，戒 |
Wang Chia-chi | Chopard Trophy (Cannes Film Festival Cannes Film Festival The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals... ) New Weekly Cutting Edge Awards List Chinese Film Award for Best Actress Los Angeles Magazine Award for Best Actress Asian Pacific Film and TV Expo for Best Actress Hollywood Awards for Best Actress and Variety Venice Film Festival Venice Film Festival The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the... for Best New Actress Golden Horse Awards for Best New Performer Nominated - Asian Film Awards Asian Film Awards The Asian Film Awards are presented annually by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society to recognize excellence of film professionals in the film industries of Asian cinema.-History:... for Best Actress Nominated - Rising Star Award, BAFTA Rising Star Award, BAFTA Rising Star Award is one of the award categories for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts which acknowledges new talents in the acting industry. The award was created after Mary Selway's death in 2004... Nominated - Chicago Film Critics Association Awards for Most Promising Performer Nominated - Golden Horse Awards for Best Actress Nominated - Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead Nominated - Online Film Critics Society Awards for Breakthrough Performer |
|
| 2010 | Crossing Hennessy Crossing Hennessy Crossing Hennessy is a 2010 Hong Kong film directed by Ivy Ho. It was filmed from March to May 2009, and stars Jacky Cheung and Tang Wei. It is a remake of Crossing Delancey .... 月滿軒尼詩 |
Oi-lin | Chinese Film Media Awards for Best Actress Nominated - Golden Horse Awards for Best Actress Nominated - Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards The Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards are the annual awards given by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society in Hong Kong, China since 1995. The awards are determined by votes cast in three rounds after a substantial discussion session between the members of the society... for Best Actress Nominated - Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress The Hong Kong Film Award for Best actress is an annual Hong Kong industry award presented to an actress for the best performance by an actress in a leading role.-Records:-1980s:*1982 Kara Hui - My Young Auntie as Cheng Tai-Nan... |
| Late Autumn 晚秋 |
Anna | Paeksang Arts Awards for Best Actress | |
| 2011 | Speed Angel 极速天使 |
Professional racing athletes | |
| Wu Xia Wu Xia (film) Wu Xia or Swordsmen is a 2011 martial arts thriller film directed by Peter Chan and starring Donnie Yen, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Tang Wei. Yen also served as the film's action director. It premiered on 13 May 2011 at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in the Midnight Screenings category... 武俠 |
Ayu(a country girl) | ||
| The Founding of a Party The Founding of a Party The Founding of a Party, alternatively titled in English Beginning of the Great Revival for its international release, is a Chinese film released in 2011 to mark the 90th anniversary of the Communist Party of China... 建党伟业 |
Tao Yi (Scenes Removed before Release) |
|-
|3 Idiots
三傻大闹好莱坞 || voice actor ||
|}
Won
- 2006 - CCTV Movie Channel Award, Outstanding Digital Movie Actress: Policeman Swallow
- 2007 - Golden Horse Awards, Best New Performer: Lust, Caution
- 2007 - New WeeklyNew WeeklyNW magazine is a weekly magazine published in Australia. It offers articles about media celebrities, Hollywood gossip, clothing, makeup, dieting, and entertainment. New Weekly was started by 1993 by then Australian Consolidated Press executive Richard Walsh, with a renaming to NW in 1998. ...
Cutting Edge Awards List: Lust, Caution - 2007 - Chinese Film Award, Best Actress: Lust, Caution
- 2007 - Los Angeles Magazine Award, Best Actress: Lust, Caution
- 2007 - Asian Pacific Film and TV Expo, Best Actress: Lust, Caution
- 2007 - Hollywood Awards, Best Actress and Variety: Lust, Caution
- 2007 - Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
, Best New Actress: Lust, Caution - 2011 - Paeksang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts Awards, also known as BaekSang Arts Awards, is an awards ceremony held annually by IS PLUS Corp, since 1965. It is to honour outstanding achievements in the South Korean entertainment industry and to garner public attention upon the best in Korean films and dramas...
, Best Actress: Late Autumn - 2011 - China Film Media Awards, Best Actress: Crossing Hennessy
Nominations
- 2007 - Golden Horse Awards, Best Actress: Lust, Caution
- 2008 - Independent Spirit AwardsIndependent Spirit AwardsThe Independent Spirit Awards , founded in 1984, are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Winners were typically presented with acrylic glass pyramids containing suspended shoestrings representing the paltry budgets of independent films. In 1986, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit...
, Best Actress: Lust, Caution - 2008 - Chopard Trophy Award, Best Actress: Lust, Caution
- 2010 - Golden Horse Awards, Best Actress: Crossing Hennessy
Other honors
- 2004 - Miss UniverseMiss UniverseMiss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
finalist - 2007 - Top Chinese fashion figure
- 2007 - New York Times listed her as one of the Best 15 Performers in 2007
- 2008 - 72st in Forbes China Rich List
- 2010 - 96st in Forbes China Rich List
- 2011 - 89st in Forbes China Rich List
- 2008 - Several newspapers noted her Chinese patriotism
- 2008 - South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n men polled voted Best Actress - 2008 - The Annual Independent Critics List #59 of 2008 World's Most Beautiful People
- 2008 - ForbesForbesForbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
ranked her 18th on the China Celebrity 100China Celebrity 100China Celebrity 100 is a list published annually by Forbes, and is similar to Celebrity 100 also published by Forbes. Factors that are taken into account include income, search engine hits, as well as exposure on newspapers, magazines and television....
list - 2008 - Japanese magazine Cut placed her in the Top 50 Best Active Celebrities
- 2008 - Accepted invitation and appeared at the Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film FestivalThe Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
Forbes China Rich List