Xia Yu

Rain Xia was born in 1976 in Qingdao, Shandong Province, with ancestral roots in Shaanxi. His father, Qin Sheng, formerly named Xia Chaochen, was a calligraphy and painting artist who had performed in drama productions and served in the military before dedicating himself to painting. Rain Xia's upbringing was somewhat unique; his parents divorced when he was three, and he then lived with his aunt in a rural village for seven years. During childhood, he was lively and expressive, frequently participating in school arts performances and winning awards multiple times during Children's Day celebrations.

In 1992, influenced by an American film titled "Dangerous Liaisons," he developed a passion for skateboarding. In 1993, his father saw an advertisement recruiting actors by director Jiang Wen in Beijing and thought that Xia resembled Jiang Wen in his youth, so he sent his photo to the casting team. As a result, Rain Xia was selected by Director Jiang Wen to play the role of Ma Xiaojun in the film "In the Heat of the Sun." After the film's release, he won the Best Actor award at the 51st Venice International Film Festival, becoming the youngest Venice Best Actor laureate at that time and also received a nomination for Best Actor at the Taiwan Golden Horse Awards.

In 1995, Xia entered the Central Academy of Drama's performing arts program, beginning formal acting training. In 1998, he starred in the film "Mirrors," directed by Juan, playing Liu Jinglun. This film marked an important milestone in his acting career, showcasing his professionalism. Around 2000, he performed well in various films, gradually establishing his reputation in China's film industry.

After the new millennium, Rain Xia increasingly took on a variety of roles spanning urban, historical, action, and comedy genres. Notable works include "Policeman's Union," "The North Wind Blows," and "The Watchmen." In 2005, he was awarded Best Actor at the 12th Beijing University Student Film Festival for his performance in "Waiting Alone." Subsequently, he played diverse roles in numerous films, earning multiple awards and nominations, including a nomination for Best Actor at the 13th Tokyo International Film Festival.

Beyond his acting career, Xia actively participates in social welfare projects. He has served as an ambassador for extreme sports in China and participated in numerous charity activities related to environmental protection, education, and philanthropy. In his personal life, he married actress Yuan Yuan in 2009, and they have a daughter named Summer Hahaa.

Rain Xia continues his entertainment activities to this day, involving himself in films, TV dramas, theater, and variety shows. During the 2010s, his accolades continued to grow, with leading roles in several high-profile films. In 2023, his starring film "Fengshen Part One: Chaos in Chaoge" won the Best Picture award at the 36th China Film Golden Rooster Awards. He remains active in multiple film and television projects, showcasing a range of diverse characters for audiences.