Zhang Jiayi (; born 8 April 1970) is a Chinese actor. He played his first role in 1990, then graduated from
Beijing Film Academy in 1991.
From 1990 to 2019, Zhang Jiayi has participated in around 90 television series, 35 films and 1 animation producing, Zhang has had over 20 awards and nominations so far. In the television series ''
Dwelling Narrowness,'' Zhang played the leading role Song Siming. This TV series gained extensive social attention and discussion after its broadcast in 2009, then Zhang Jiayi rose to fame.
In 2014, he became the fourth Chinese actor to win the "Grand Slam", after winning "Best Actor" at the three biggest
Chinese-language television awards including the
Feitian Award, the
Golden Eagle Award and the
Magnolia Award.
Early life and education
Zhang Jiayi was born and raised in
Xi'an
Xi'an is the list of capitals in China, capital of the Chinese province of Shaanxi. A sub-provincial city on the Guanzhong plain, the city is the third-most populous city in Western China after Chongqing and Chengdu, as well as the most populou ...
,
Shaanxi
Shaanxi is a Provinces of China, province in north Northwestern China. It borders the province-level divisions of Inner Mongolia to the north; Shanxi and Henan to the east; Hubei, Chongqing, and Sichuan to the south; and Gansu and Ningxia to t ...
, China. Zhang was a student with merit on wrestle when he was in high school. After graduated from high school, he planned to be a professional wrestler. However, with the advice of his uncle who worked in Xi'an Film Studio, he decided to take the admission test of
Beijing Film Academy. As a student who never had professional performance class before, Zhang did not hold any hope on being admitted, but he was admitted to Beijing Film Academy with his talent.
After graduating from Beijing Film Academy, he was assigned to Xi'an Film Studio.
Career
Zhang played his first role as Kang bosi in film ''Rubilks-clock'' in 1990, which is his first film. One year later, he graduated from Beijing Film Academy and changed his name from Zhang Xiaotong to Zhang Jiayi.
In 1995, Zhang played Zhang Jianguo in television series ''Daobei People'' which is his first time to appear in small screen.
Zhang in 1999 participated in film ''Xian's Finest'' and won Society Award at 7th
Golden Phoenix Awards.
Zhang came back to Beijing from Xi'an in 2000. And he played Wu Dengyun in television series ''Dr. Wu in Pamir'' which was adapted from a true story and won the First Prize of television series at 21st
Flying Apsaras Awards.
In 2004, Zhang played main role Song Chao in television series ''National Mission'' cooperated with actress Wang Haiyan.
Zhang gained attention and popularity and rose to fame with his role as Song Siming in television series ''
Dwelling Narrowness'' in 2009.
Zhang won the Best Actor(Contemporary Drama) at 4th
Huading Awards in 2010 due to television series ''I Am the Proprietor.''
In 2011, Zhang won the Best Actor at 17th
Magnolia Awards for his performing in television drama ''Borrow Gun''.
In hit film ''
Love Is Not Blind
''Love Is Not Blind'' () is a 2011 Chinese romantic comedy film directed by Teng Huatao. The film was adapted from an online novel written by Bao Jingjing which has been popular among cyber users since its appearance. Due to the popularity of the ...
,'' Zhang played as a supporting role.
In 2012, Zhang participated in television drama ''The Brink'' as main actor and artistic director.
In May, he played as Liu Chenxi in hit television drama ''Angel Heart'' which was adapted from writer Liu Liu's novel.
In September, he played as a police in television series ''Story of Police in Yingpan.''
Zhang won the Best Actor at 8th
Huading Awards, 3rd
Golden Lotus Awards and 4th
China TV Drama Awards for his performing in ''The Brink.''
And he won the Best Actor at 29th
Flying Apsaras Awards, 27th
China TV Golden Eagle Award due to ''Story of Police in Yingpan''.
At 8th
Huading Awards, he also won 10 Most Popular TV Celebrities of the year award.
Zhang played as main role in ''Life's Ups and Downs'' in 2013 and won the Best Actor at 19th
Magnolia Awards.
In the same year, he participated in film ''
The Founding of a Party'' and won the Society Award at 14th
Golden Phoenix Awards.
In 2014, Zhang played as main role in ''A Servant of Two Masters'' and won the Best Actor at 6th
China TV Drama Awards. In ''Forty-nine Days Memorial,'' a television series which was adapted from writer
Geling Yan's novel, Zhang Jiayi's performing won the Best Actor Award at 20th
Asian Television Awards
The Asian Television Awards, founded in 1996, is an appreciation to recognize and reward programming and production excellence in the Asian television industry. Held every December, it comprises 56 categories across news, documentaries and curre ...
.
Same year, Zhang participated in Chinese director
Zhang Yimou's film ''
Coming Home''.
In 2015, Zhang participated in television series ''
White Deer Plain'' as leading role and artistic director. He also played a guest role in hit drama ''
Game of Hunting''. At 1st China Quality Television Drama Ceremony, Zhang won the Most Expressive Actor award.
In 2016, Zhang played as main actor in contemporary drama ''My! Physical Education Teacher.''
Same year, he participated in Chinese director
Feng Xiaogang's film ''
I Am Not Madame Bovary'', and was nominated for the Best Actor at 8th
China Film Director's Guild Awards.
The drama ''
White Deer Plain'' was allowed to broadcast in 2017.
Due to this television drama, Zhang was nominated for Best Actor at 8th
Golden Lotus Awards and 29th
China TV Golden Eagle Awards. And he won the Best Actor at 4th
Asia Rainbow TV Awards.
In this year, he also played a main role in television drama ''Wonderful Life'', and won Best Actor at 24th
Huading Awards in 2018 for his performing in this drama.
Personal life
Marriage
In 2004, during filming the television series ''National Mission,'' Zhang had a romance with actress Wang Haiyan''.'' Three years later, in 2007, Zhang married Wang in his hometown Xi'an. This is his second marriage.
On September 19, 2010, their first daughter was born, and was named Zhang Yixin.
Disease
In the beginning of 2018, a video about Zhang Jiayi in television series ''Wonderful Life'' went viral because of his unique walking posture. In fact, his unique walking posture is one of the symptoms of
ankylosing spondylitis. The disease limits his actions so that sometimes he is unable to straighten his back. When he was 22, he felt the back pain, but did not pay much attention and still endured the pain to work, which made his illness more serious. According to his speech in CCTV program ''Voice'', he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis when he was 25.
Filmography
Television series
Film
Animation film
Awards and nominations
Forbes China Celebrity 100
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Zhang, Jiayi
1970 births
Living people
Male actors from Xi'an
Beijing Film Academy alumni
Chinese male television actors
Chinese male film actors