You Benchang, famed for his role as monk Ji Gong, dies at 93

Chinese actor You Benchang enjoyed a career spanning more than seven decades and remained a beloved figure among Chinese audiences well into his 90s.

Listen Summarise You Benchang, famed for his role as monk Ji Gong, died at 93 after a 70-year acting career and major awards, including Best Actor at the 1986 China TV Golden Eagle Awards. He started with minor roles, believing "there are no small roles, only small actors," and gained fame after his 1984 CCTV Gala mime and 1985 Ji Gong series. You remained active into his late 80s, receiving multiple lifetime achievement awards in 2024 and emphasising lifelong learning and joy in his work. AI generated

BEIJING – You Benchang, a celebrated performing artiste and first-class actor with the National Theatre of China, died of illness in Beijing on Sept 24. He was 93.