Yao Chen

Yao Chen was born on October 5, 1979. Her ancestral hometown is Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, and she grew up in Nanping City. Her father, Yao Huiyan, was a railway workshop official, and her mother was an employee of the Post Office. During her childhood, due to her parents' busy work schedules, Yao Chen was fostered at her uncle's house. She developed an interest and talent in acting, singing, and dancing. She also worked part-time at a fast-food restaurant in her hometown to gain life experience.

At the age of 14, Yao Chen went to Beijing alone to pursue her studies. In 1997, she was admitted to the Folk Dance Department of Beijing Dance Academy. After completing her studies, she returned to Fuzhou and joined the local Fuzhou Song and Dance Troupe, leading a relatively stable life. At 18, she decided to give up her stable job to challenge herself by retaking the college entrance examination. Her family paid a price for this decision, including a compensation of 100,000 yuan for termination. In 1999, she was admitted to Beijing Film Academy with excellent grades, marking the beginning of her acting career.

During her school years, Yao Chen participated in several theater productions, including "Macbeth," "Surfaced," and "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land." Her role as the little daughter-in-law in the 1996 play "Xiao Jing Hutong" showcased her versatile acting style. Her first appearance in film was in 2001 with the movie "Seven Weeks No Sleep," where she played Ji Ling. The same year, she also starred in the television dramas "Shen Bian" and "Urban Men and Women," playing the role of Su Qingqing. After graduating from university in 2003, she appeared in works such as "Life Matters" and "Story of the Cook’s Squad 2."

In 2006, Yao Chen starred in the sitcom "Wulin Waizhuan," playing the female hero Guo Furong, a role that resonated deeply with audiences and boosted her fame. She also played Gu Lili in the family ethics drama "Before and After the House," as well as various other roles in different series. Subsequently, she gained attention through multiple film and television projects, including comedy movies like "The Big Movie of Hundreds of Billions" and "My Long March," demonstrating her acting range across different roles.

In 2008, she played the role of a reporter in the documentary "Stars Take You to Watch the Olympics." That same year, her role as Wang Cuiping, a guerrilla leader in the spy drama "The Conspiracy," brought her to the forefront of actresses, earning numerous nominations and recognition in TV and film awards. She continued to expand her performances across film, TV, theater, and variety shows.

Starting in 2012, Yao Chen ventured into the international fashion industry. She was invited to participate in Paris Fashion Week and became the first Chinese actress to appear on the cover of Pirelli. Her leading roles in films such as "Control," "Storm," and "The Eight Hundred" also achieved commercial success. Since 2014, she gradually returned to television, starring in series like "Divorce Lawyer" and "Everyone Is Good," earning widespread acclaim.

In terms of philanthropy, Yao Chen actively participates in charity and social responsibility projects. She served as the Chinese ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), supporting various vulnerable groups and receiving multiple social honors. She has been awarded international recognitions such as the "Crystal Award" and "Global Youth Leader."

Today, Yao Chen has become an important figure in China's entertainment industry. Her works span movies, TV dramas, theater, variety shows, and hosting, earning numerous awards and social recognition. In her personal life, she married actor Ling Xiaosu in 2003 and divorced in 2011. She married photographer Cao Yu in 2012, with whom she has one son and one daughter.