Wang Baoqiang

Wang Baoqiang, born on April 29, 1982, is a native of Dahetan Village, Nanhe District, Xingtai City, Hebei Province. During his childhood, he mostly wore old clothes given by his older siblings, leading a relatively simple life. According to his mother’s recollections, Wang Baoqiang was not much noticed by others as a child, but his interest in acting was sparked by the influence of the film "Shaolin Temple."

He began practicing martial arts at age six, and from age eight to fourteen, he was a secular disciple at Shaolin Temple. During his six years at Shaolin, he completed basic training, physical conditioning, and cultural studies. He woke up at 5 a.m. in winter to run, and as early as 4 a.m. in summer for long-distance runs, training intensely. He only returned home once a year during the Spring Festival.

In 1998, at age sixteen, Wang Baoqiang left Shaolin Temple and moved to Beijing to start his career in acting. Through a senior fellow disciple’s introduction, he initially worked as a martial arts stunt double in film crews, gradually transitioning to be a background actor, waiting for opportunities. In 2002, director Li Yang selected him for the lead role in the film "Blind Shaft," where he played Tang Chaoyang. The film won multiple awards at international film festivals, marking his official entry into the entertainment industry.

In 2004, Wang Baoqiang gained fame with his simple, sincere performance in Feng Xiaogang's New Year’s comedy "National Treasure." Subsequently, he starred in numerous TV dramas and films, including "The Calculating," "Soldier Sortie," "The Clue," "My Brother Shaolong," and "Lost on the Way." He is especially well known for his role as Xu Sanduo in "Soldier Sortie," earning multiple awards including the China TV Golden Eagle Award.

In 2008, Wang Baoqiang released his first EP, "Money or No Money, Come Home for New Year," and performed the song "Farmer’s Song" on CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala. His starring films like "My Brother Shaolong" gained wide attention, and between 2009 and 2011, he made breakthroughs in several films, winning international awards at the Vladivostok International Film Festival, Asia-Pacific Film Awards, and the Chinese Youth Film Handbook, among others.

In 2012, Wang Baoqiang announced the establishment of his own studio, marking his move into independent management. He broke domestic box office records with the comedy film "Lost in Thailand." He also participated in many other films such as "Chasing the Murderer," "Mountain Without a Seal," and "Detective Chinatown 3," earning multiple nominations and awards.

In 2016, Wang Baoqiang faced a divorce scandal and openly stated that family upheavals affected his career, leading to a period of downturn. He then transitioned into directing; his directorial debut "Big Trouble in Heaven" received mixed reviews, but in 2023, he achieved success with his self-directed and starring film "In the Octagon," which grossed over 2.1 billion yuan.

Regarding his personal life, Wang Baoqiang married Ma Rong in 2011 and has a son. The couple divorced in 2016 amid multiple legal disputes. In recent years, he has also been active in philanthropy, serving as a goodwill ambassador for various charitable organizations.

As of 2024, Wang Baoqiang remains active in acting and directing, with numerous awards including the Golden Deer Award and the Chinese Film Media Award. His career journey reflects a transformation from a grassroots actor to a prominent figure in the industry.