Chang Kuo-chu

Zhang Guozhu, born in 1968, is a Taiwanese actor. His early experience includes appearing in his first film, The Third Prince Nezha (哪吒三太子), while at university in 1978. He graduated from the Department of Physical Education at National Taiwan Normal University and worked as a high school physical education teacher after graduating. Regarding his family, Zhang Guozhu’s spouse was Zhao Xinran; the two married in 1971 and divorced in 1994. They had two children, including actors Zhang Zhen and Zhang Han.

In his acting career, Zhang Guozhu officially entered the film and television industry in 1977, with his first film being The Third Prince Nezha (1978). The following year, he drew attention for playing Huang Zhizhong in the film Love Kill (爱杀), starring Brigitte Lin. In 1981 he co-starred with Brigitte Lin and Qin Xianglin in the thriller Love Kill, portraying a murderer; in 1982 he starred in the inspirational film The Grand Vision (大远景), showing early promise. In 1983 he played Mr. Lei in the comedy Seven Days of Mistaken Love (表错七日情), and the next year he played the supporting role Ouyang Zhujian in The Bold Women of the Tang Dynasty (唐朝豪放女), for which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 4th Hong Kong Film Awards.

In the following years Zhang Guozhu took important roles in many films, including The New Story of Ai Nu (爱奴新传) in 1984, Goodbye Seven Days (再见七日情) and Modern Bold Women (现代豪放女) in 1985, and Dark Night (暗夜) in 1986. In 1985 he starred in Goodbye Seven Days as the married man A-John. That same year he also appeared in the drama The Bold Women of the Tang Dynasty and received a nomination for his role. From 1990 to 1992, Zhang Guozhu played major roles in action and drama films such as Paris Sinful Love (巴黎孽恋), Demon Domain Flying Dragon (魔域飞龙), A Brighter Summer Day (牯岭街少年杀人事件), and The Proud Twins (绝代双骄). Notably, in 1992 he played the father of Xiao Sier in A Brighter Summer Day, earning wide recognition and, together with his son Zhang Zhen, was simultaneously nominated for Best Actor at the 28th Golden Horse Awards.

In the 21st century, Zhang Guozhu has remained active in many films and TV series, including Beast’s Eye (野兽之瞳) in 2001, the 2007 TV series The Hospital (白色巨塔) — for which he won the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama award at the 42nd Golden Bell Awards for his role as Xu Daming — and several works in the 2010s such as Killer Ouyang the Potted Plant (杀手欧阳盆栽), Happiness (喜宝), and the 2023 film The Coldest City (极寒之城). Beyond acting, Zhang Guozhu has received multiple awards and nominations, underscoring his status in the Chinese-language film and television industry.

In his personal life, Zhang Guozhu married Zhao Xinran in 1971 and they had children. In 2008 he remarried his current girlfriend Ah May. His granddaughter Zhang Yuanyuan was born on March 10, 2015. A native of Shandong, Zhang Guozhu is known in the entertainment industry for his professional dedication and extensive acting experience; his body of work spans films and television across multiple genres and his performances have been repeatedly recognized by the industry.