Zhao Benshan

Zhao Benshan, born in 1957 in Tieling City, Liaoning Province, is a renowned Chinese film and television actor, director, and entrepreneur. His early life included the death of both parents in 1963, after which he learned performing arts from his second uncle (a blind man). The hardships he experienced during his childhood became one of the foundations of his artistic creation. In 1974, at the age of 17, Zhao joined the commune’s cultural propaganda team and later entered the Wěiyuǎn乡 amateur theater troupe. He was subsequently assigned to the Xifeng County theater troupe as a leading performer in Er Ren Zhuan, marking the beginning of his performance career.

In 1982, Zhao Benshan gained prominence performing a small sketch titled "Dramatic Play" ("Sha Sian") in Liaoning province's rural variety show, where he portrayed the blind character Zhang Zhi. This role helped him gradually rise to fame. In 1987, his cross-talk performance "The Blind Man Watching the Lantern"—a collaboration with Pan Changjiang—toured in Shenyang for many years and garnered widespread attention. That same year, Zhao was transferred to the Tieling City Folk Art Troupe. In 1988, he starred in the TV Peking Opera film "Shuang Song Ya" and made his debut on the Spring Festival Gala, although the program was not broadcast until 1990, when he officially appeared on the stage during the Spring Festival Gala, winning first prize in the program for three consecutive years.

Subsequently, Zhao Benshan became a regular performer on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, producing memorable sketches such as "Matchmaking," "I Want a Home," and "Uncle Niu Gets Promoted." In 1991, he appeared in the TV drama "Guò le zhè yī cūn," earning the Flying Sky (Feitian) Award for Second Place. In 1994, he received the Huabiao Award, the Hundred Flowers Award, and the Outstanding Male Actor Award for his role in the film "The Director of Men and Women." In 1997, he starred in the TV drama "County Head," winning the First Prize for Long-Form TV in Liaoning and the Best Actor Award.

Beginning in 2001, Zhao gradually expanded into directing and business management, establishing Benshan Media in 2003, which became one of China’s major cultural industry groups. In 2004, he partnered with Liaoning University to establish the "Liaoning University Benshan Art College." In 2006, he received the Chinese Quyi Peony Award. In 2008, he was listed among the national intangible cultural heritage inheritors of northeast Er Ren Zhuan (a traditional Chinese comedy performance art).

His performances include the TV series "Liu Laogen" and the "Village Love" series, as well as films like "Fall Leaves Return to Their Roots" and "Laughing Lakes and Rivers." Zhao Benshan is also actively involved in social公益 public welfare, serving as a cultural ambassador and participating in numerous charitable activities. In 2013, he announced his withdrawal from the stage of the Spring Festival Gala, gradually reducing public appearances.

On a personal note, Zhao has been married twice. His first wife, Ge Shuzhen, divorced him in 1991; they had a daughter, Zhao Yufang, and a son, Zhao Tiedan, who suffers from multiple illnesses. After the divorce, in 1992, he married Ma Lijuan, with whom he has a pair of twins (a son and a daughter). In 2024, Zhao Benshan’s daughter announced her childbirth.

Additionally, Zhao has held various social positions, including member of the National Youth Federation and member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). He actively engages in charity work, contributing substantial financial resources to公益 charitable causes.