Pan Hong
Chinese film actress and three-time Golden Rooster Award winner.
Zhangsqing · CC BY-SA 3.0
Pan Hong (born November 4, 1954) is a Chinese film actress who rose to fame in the early 1980s. She is a three-time winner of the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress and has been called 'The last noble in the Chinese film industry' by Chinese critics.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 4 November 1954
- Birth Place
- Shanghai, China
- Education
- Shanghai Theatre Academy
- Occupation
- Actress
- Years Active
- 1977 – present
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pan Hong was born as Liu Ronghua on November 4, 1954, in Shanghai. During the Cultural Revolution, her parents were forced to divorce, and she changed her surname from Liu to Pan (her mother's surname). Her father committed suicide on April 19, 1968, due to persecution; two days later, she retrieved his urn from the crematorium and took it by train to Harbin, his native place.
After graduating from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, Pan performed supporting roles before shooting to fame in 1982 as the leading actress in At the Middle Age. She has served as vice-chairman of the China Film Association and the China Film Performance Academic Society. In February 2021, her rendition of 'Once Upon a Time' was used at Shanghai Disney's Enchanted Storybook Castle.
Pan married Mi Jiashan in 1978; they divorced in 1986. She has never remarried and has no children. In 1995, she published her diaries from 1994. Around 2003, she converted to Buddhism and became a vegetarian.
Reader's Guide
Pan Hong's significance lies in her enduring impact on Chinese cinema, particularly through her award-winning performances. She is one of the most decorated actresses in China, having won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress three times and receiving a Golden Rooster Special Award in 1994. Her role in At the Middle Age (1982) marked a turning point in her career, establishing her as a leading lady. Critics have praised her as 'the last noble in the Chinese film industry,' reflecting her dignified screen presence. Beyond acting, she has held leadership positions in major film organizations, contributing to the industry's development. Her personal story—including her father's suicide during the Cultural Revolution and her subsequent name change—adds a layer of historical context to her legacy. Her later conversion to Buddhism and vegetarianism, as well as the use of her music at Shanghai Disney, show her continued cultural relevance.
Did You Know?
- Pan Hong was born as Liu Ronghua and changed her surname to Pan after her parents' forced divorce during the Cultural Revolution.
- Her father committed suicide on April 19, 1968; she retrieved his urn alone and took it by train to Harbin.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pan Hong?
Pan Hong is a Chinese film actress who emerged as a major screen star during the early 1980s. She is widely regarded as one of the most distinguished performers in modern Chinese cinema.
What is Pan Hong's most famous role?
She is best known for her leading performance in the film At the Middle Age (Ren Dao Zhong Ninan), which cemented her status as a top-tier actress in China.
How many Golden Rooster Awards has Pan Hong won?
She has claimed the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress on three separate occasions, a remarkable achievement in Chinese film history.
Why is Pan Hong called 'The last noble in the Chinese film industry'?
Chinese critics have bestowed this title on her as a mark of her enduring grace and artistic dignity, setting her apart from many of her peers.
When was Pan Hong born?
She was born on November 4, 1954, in China.
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