Zhang Tielin


Zhang Tielin is a Chinese-born British actor and occasional film director. He is best known for portraying the Qianlong Emperor in the first two seasons of the Chinese television series My Fair Princess.

Early life and education

Zhang was born in Tangshan, Hebei, but grew up in Weinan, Shaanxi. In 1973, he was sent to Lintong District in Xi'an to perform agricultural labour as part of the Chinese government's Down to the Countryside Movement. Three years later, he became a construction worker in Xi'an.
In 1978, Zhang enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy and graduated in 1982, after which he worked in the television station Tianjin Television. In 1984, Zhang made his debut in the films The Burning of Imperial Palace, Reign Behind a Curtain and Under the Bridge, of which the third one propelled him to fame.

Career

In 1987, Zhang went to England to further his studies at the British Film Institute, graduating in 1990. He became a British citizen in 1997. In the early 1990s, Zhang went to Hong Kong to expand his career and signed a contract with film producer Tsui Hark, working together with Tsui on the Once Upon a Time in China film series. He joined the Hong Kong television network Phoenix Television in 1996 and worked there briefly before returning to the mainland Chinese entertainment industry. His portrayal of the Qianlong Emperor in the first two seasons of the television series My Fair Princess boosted his fame. Zhang starred together with actors Wang Gang and Zhang Guoli in many television series and they are collectively known as the "Iron Triangle" in the Chinese entertainment industry.
In 2007, Zhang became the dean of the art school of Jinan University in Guangzhou.

Filmography

Film

Television