Chen Peisi

Chen Peisi was born on February 12, 1954, in Nong’an County, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China, ranking second among his siblings. His father was Chen Qiang, an artist in Chinese film acting. From a young age, Chen Peisi showed a strong interest in performing; influenced by his father, he was fond of mimicking his father's actions and expressions from movies, aspiring to become a film actor.

In 1969, affected by the Cultural Revolution, his father Chen Qiang was labeled a "black gang," and Chen Peisi accompanied his father to the Inner Mongolia Military Reclamation Farm to receive re-education. Subsequently, he applied to join the Beijing Military Region Art Troupe and the General Political Department Drama Troupe, but was not accepted due to his family background. In early 1973, the August 1st (Bayi) Film Studio was recruiting actors. At 18, Chen Peisi returned to Beijing from Inner Mongolia, passed the audition, and was officially admitted into the performing arts circle.

While working at the Bayi Film Studio, Chen Peisi participated in numerous films. His first role was in the 1977 film *Thousands of Rivers and Mountains*, playing the bandit B. In 1979, he gained recognition for his role in the comedy film *Look at This Family*, produced by the Beijing Film Studio; this film was China's first comedy after the Cultural Revolution. In the movie, he played Hu Jiaqi, a trivial character from the street, demonstrating kindness, honesty, bravery, and a sense of responsibility. His profound acting captured the complex emotions of the character, earning the film an Excellent Film Award from the Ministry of Culture.

Following this, Chen Peisi appeared in many films, including *Inside and Outside the Court*, the *Sunset Street* series, and *The Young Master's Hardship*, gradually establishing a reputation in Chinese cinema. In the 1980s, he collaborated with his father in films such as *Father and Son*, *Two Sons Open a Shop*, *Father and Son Old Car*, and *Grandpa and Grandpa Open a Karaoke Hall*, creating a new comedy style characterized by family conflicts, notably forming the "Erzi Series" of comedic films.

Chen Peisi is known for his comedic performances. He became especially popular for his sketch *Eating Noodles* on the CCTV New Year’s Gala in 1984, which is regarded as a classic of the Chinese Spring Festival Gala. In 1986, he was nominated for the Best Actor Award at the China Hundred Flowers Awards for his role as Jin Fu in the film *The Young Master's Hardship*, and he won the Best Supporting Actor Award for *New York Knockout*. Afterward, he continued acting as a small-town character in various films and TV series, gradually shifting toward exposing and satirizing social phenomena.

In 1999, Chen Peisi moved to a mountainous area in Beijing, planting pomegranates and gradually retreating from the public eye. Starting in 2000, he actively engaged in stage comedy creation, producing works such as *Childcare*, *Balcony*, and *A-Dou*, gradually forming an influential presence in China's stage drama scene. His works are known for their tight structure and rich emotional expression, often receiving awards at major performance events.

In addition, Chen Peisi has been active in voice acting, providing voices for animated films like *Mulan*, *Phoe-lian Lampshade*, and *The Incredibles*. In 2004, he established Da Dao Film Industry to promote traditional comedic culture. In 2012, he founded Da Dao Comedy Theater in Beijing, where he organized comedy training programs to cultivate young comedy talents.

Regarding his family, Chen Peisi married nurse Wang Yanling in 1983, and they have a son, Chen Dayu. His family members also involved in the entertainment industry include his father Chen Qiang and his brother Chen Buda.

As a renowned Chinese comedian, director, and screenwriter, Chen Peisi has achieved success across film, stage, and variety shows, earning numerous national and industry honors.