Jet Li

Jet Li, born on April 26, 1963, is a celebrated martial artist, actor, and philanthropist whose career has spanned over four decades. Renowned as one of the most iconic Chinese film stars, he has played a pivotal role in revitalizing Hong Kong kungfu films, particularly with his breakout film, Shaolin Temple, in 1982. This film not only marked his acting debut but also led to two successful sequels, establishing him as a leading figure in the action genre.

Li's journey began at the Beijing Shichahai Sports School, where he trained as a wushu athlete and won multiple national championships from 1974 to 1979. After retiring from competitive sports, he transitioned to acting, quickly becoming a household name with the Once Upon a Time in China series, where he portrayed the legendary Wong Fei-hung. His filmography includes notable titles such as Fist of Legend, Black Mask, and his directorial debut, Born to Defence.

In 1998, Li made his Hollywood debut as a villain in Lethal Weapon 4, followed by his first leading role in Romeo Must Die in 2000. He continued to gain international acclaim with films like Kiss of the Dragon and Unleashed, before returning to Asia for projects such as Hero and Fearless. His collaboration with Jackie Chan in The Forbidden Kingdom and appearances in The Expendables series further solidified his status as a global action star.

Beyond his cinematic achievements, Li is a dedicated philanthropist. He founded One Foundation in 2007, which became the first private charitable fundraising organization in China. Additionally, he co-founded Taiji Zen, promoting health through meditation and tai chi. Recognized for his influence, Li topped Forbes's list of China's richest stars in 2004 and was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2010.