Gong Li (Chinese: 鞏俐; born December 31, 1965) is a Singaporean actress of Chinese origin. She was born in Shenyang, Liaoning, China, as the fifth child in her family. Her father was an economics professor, and her mother was a teacher.
Gong Li initially aspired to be a singer but failed to gain admission to music schools. She was eventually accepted into the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing in 1985, graduating in 1989.
Gong Li rose to international prominence through her collaboration with director Zhang Yimou. Her debut role was in Zhang’s film Red Sorghum (1987), which won the Golden Bear at the 38th Berlin International Film Festival. This marked the beginning of a highly successful artistic partnership.
Gong Li is widely regarded as one of the most significant actresses in Chinese cinema. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her performances, including the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival twice (The Story of Qiu Ju in 1992 and Ju Dou in 1991). She has also served as a jury member at major international film festivals, including Cannes, Venice, and Berlin.
She was appointed a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 1998.