---
name: "Jet Li"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jet-li"
fi1m_id: "jet-li"
imdb_id: "nm0001472"
tmdb_id: 1336
wikidata_id: "Q159577"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "26 April 1963"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 61
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-07T18:48:46.743743+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Jet Li

## Identity

Jet Li

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jet-li
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jet-li
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001472
- **TMDB ID:** 1336
- **Wikidata ID:** Q159577
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Li, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q159577, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001472/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1336

Actor. Born 26 April 1963 in Beijing, China.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 26 April 1963, Beijing, China
- **Active:** 1991–present
- **Also known as:** Lianjie Li, Li Lianjie, Jet Li Lian-Jie, リー・リンチェイ
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 6: 5 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Donnie Yen](https://film.one/person/donnie-yen.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 61, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 68 (2), 2000s 58 (2), 2010s 77 (1), 2020s 54 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 56 to 54 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 5, Adventure 3, Drama 2, Fantasy 2, Crime 1, History 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $940m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Li, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q159577, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001472/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1336

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Once Upon a Time in China*](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-china.md) (81)
- **Disney+:** [*Mulan*](https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md) (54)
- **Tubi:** [*The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor*](https://film.one/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor.md) (40)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Jet Li

> Jet Li makes complicated fighting clear, with speed and control that give restrained martial heroes their authority. We value that precision, though *Hero* shows how easily his reserve can keep us too far away.

In *Hero* (2002), Jet Li's Nameless is a steady presence among the flying bodies and competing accounts. His reserve suits Zhang Yimou's ceremonious approach, though it also leaves us wanting a less guarded human exchange. We were exhilarated by the flying fights because their changes of direction stayed graceful and easy to follow. The pleasure comes from watching the movement, without needing to hurry towards a decisive blow.

That clarity comes from a wushu-based style built around precise forms, speed and control. *Shaolin Temple* (1982) began his film career, and Tsui Hark's *Once Upon a Time in China* (1991) established him as a star playing Wong Fei-hung. These virtuous martial heroes make restraint useful: a performer need not advertise strength when we can see exactly what he can do. His Hollywood entry, as the villain Wah Sing Ku in *Lethal Weapon 4* (1998), was a turn away from those virtuous heroes.

*Hero* makes a strong case for giving that skill space. Christopher Doyle's colour photography gives the action force, while production designers Tingxiao Huo and Zhenzhou Yi provide settings in which the fighting can be seen clearly. Editors Ru Zhai, Angie Lam On-Yee and Vincent Lee keep individual passages flowing, though the repeated returns to competing accounts interrupt our involvement. Tan Dun's music reinforces the ceremony, sometimes more than the drama warrants. Li fits this formality so comfortably that the film rarely encourages us past it.

The later work kept him between Chinese and American productions. In *Fearless* (2006) he plays Huo Yuanjia, another historical martial artist, while *War* (2007) illustrates how thin the dramatic material in his Hollywood roles could be. That is a limitation of the writing as much as the casting. There is little point hiring someone with such exact physical skills and then treating character as an optional extra.

*Hero* also gives us reason not to blame every emotional distance on the script: Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Maggie Cheung make Broken Sword and Flying Snow matter more to us than Nameless. Li's reserve is useful, but here it leaves his colleagues doing the warmer work. Start with *Hero* for the fighting, and do not expect Li to make its solemn conversations feel intimate.

## Biography

Jet Li, born Li Lianjie, is a Chinese-born Singaporean martial artist and actor. He won five national wushu championships for the Beijing Wushu Team before retiring from competition at age 17.

Li made his acting debut in *Shaolin Temple* (1982). He rose to prominence in China with the *Once Upon a Time in China* series (1991–1993), playing folk hero Wong Fei-hung. His international profile grew with the lead role of Nameless in *Hero* (2002), directed by Zhang Yimou.

Li's first Hollywood role was in *Lethal Weapon 4* (1998). Subsequent films include *Romeo Must Die* (2000), *Unleashed* (2005), *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* (2008) and the first three *Expendables* films (2010–2014).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, biography.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

### Performed in (5) — the average rests on these

- *Mulan* (2020), Fi1m 54, as The Emperor — [page](https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md)
- *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* (2008), Fi1m 40, as Han — [page](https://film.one/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor.md)
- *Hero* (2002), Fi1m 77, as Nameless — [page](https://film.one/film/hero.md)
- *Lethal Weapon 4* (1998), Fi1m 55, as Wah Sing Ku — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-4.md)
- *Once Upon a Time in China* (1991), Fi1m 81, as Wong Fei Hung — [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-china.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Rob & Romesh Vs* (2019), Fi1m 77, as Self — [page](https://film.one/tv/rob-and-romesh-vs.md)

## Complete filmography (55)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Blades of the Guardians* (2026), as Lord Chang
- *Mulan* (2020), as The Emperor — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md)
- *Guardians of Martial Arts* (2017), as Old Servant · Producer
- *One Sword Sweeps All* (2017), series, as Ren Lan Feng
- *League of Gods* (2016), as Jiang Ziya
- *The Expendables 3* (2014), as Yin Yang
- *Badges of Fury* (2013), as Huang Feihong
- *The Expendables 2* (2012), as Yin Yang
- *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* (2011), as Chow Wai-on
- *The Sorcerer and the White Snake* (2011), as Fa Hai
- *The Expendables* (2010), as Yin Yang
- *Ocean Heaven* (2010), as Wang Xingchang
- *The Founding of a Republic* (2009), as Chen Shaokuan
- *激荡·1978-2008* (2008), series, Actor
- *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* (2008), as Han — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor.md)
- *The Forbidden Kingdom* (2008), as The Silent Monk / The Monkey King
- *The Warlords* (2007), as General Pang Qingyun
- *War* (2007), as Rogue
- *Fearless* (2006), as Huo Yuanjia · Producer
- *Unleashed* (2005), as Danny · Producer
- *Cradle 2 the Grave* (2003), as Su
- *Hero* (2002), as Nameless — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/hero.md)
- *Invincible* (2001), Executive Producer
- *The One* (2001), as Gabe Law / Gabriel Yulaw / Lawless
- *Kiss of the Dragon* (2001), as Liu Jian · Associate Producer, Producer, Original Story
- *Romeo Must Die* (2000), as Han Sing
- *Lethal Weapon 4* (1998), as Wah Sing Ku — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-4.md)
- *Contract Killer* (1998), as Fu
- *Once Upon a Time in China and America* (1997), as Wong Fei Hung
- *Black Mask* (1996), as Tsui Chik / Black Mask
- *Dr. Wai in the Scripture with No Words* (1996), as Wai Bok Si / Chow Si Kit
- *High Risk* (1995), as Kit Li
- *The Enforcer* (1995), as Kung Wei
- *Oriental Hero* (1995), Actor
- *Fist of Legend* (1994), as Chen Zhen · Producer
- *The Bodyguard from Beijing* (1994), as John Cheng · Producer
- *Shaolin Kung Fu* (1994), as actor
- *Legend of the Red Dragon* (1994), as Hung Hei-Kwun · Executive Producer
- *Kung Fu Cult Master* (1993), as 张无忌 · Producer
- *Tai-Chi Master* (1993), as Zhang Jun Bao · Producer
- *The Legend II* (1993), as Fong Sai Yuk · Producer
- *Last Hero in China* (1993), as Wong Fei Hung · Producer
- *The Legend* (1993), as Fong Sai-Yuk · Executive Producer
- *Once Upon a Time in China III* (1993), as Wong Fei Hung
- *The Legend of the Swordsman* (1992), as Ling Wu Chung
- *The Master* (1992), as Kit
- *Once Upon a Time in China II* (1992), as Wong Fei Hung
- *Once Upon a Time in China* (1991), as Wong Fei Hung — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-china.md)
- *Dragon Fight* (1989), as Jimmy Lee Kwok Lap
- *Born to Defence* (1988), as Jet · Director
- *Jet Li's Shaolin Style* (1988), Actor
- *Martial Arts of Shaolin* (1986), as Lin Zhi Ming
- *Kids from Shaolin* (1984), as San Lung
- *Shaolin Temple* (1982), as Gong Yuen (Jue Yuan)
- *Nonstop*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Jet Li](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-6e6c283d24cb.jpg) Jet Li — Mark_Zuckerberg,_founder_Facebook,_and_Jet_Li.jpg: Robert Scoble
derivative work: Teemeah (talk), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Jet_Li_cropped.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![TIANJIN/CHINA, 28SEPT08 - Jet Li, actor and Founder of the One Foundation, speaks at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, Ch (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-dca529f3ae86.jpg) TIANJIN/CHINA, 28SEPT08 - Jet Li, actor and Founder of the One Foundation, speaks at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, Ch (2008) — World Economic Forum from Cologny, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Flickr_-_World_Economic_Forum_-_Jet_Li_-_Annual_Meeting_of_the_New_Champions_Tianjin_2008.jpg/1280px-Flickr_-_World_Economic_Forum_-_Jet_Li_-_Annual_Meeting_of_the_New_Champions_Tianjin_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![HK TST 尖沙咀海濱 Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade 梳士巴利花園 Salisbury Garden zh:香港星光大道 Avenue of Stars in March 2020](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-522045d94ab0.jpg) HK TST 尖沙咀海濱 Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade 梳士巴利花園 Salisbury Garden zh:香港星光大道 Avenue of Stars in March 2020 — Yatmoutat Wani, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/HK_TST_%E5%B0%96%E6%B2%99%E5%92%80%E6%B5%B7%E6%BF%B1_Tsim_Sha_Tsui_Waterfront_Promenade_%E6%A2%B3%E5%A3%AB%E5%B7%B4%E5%88%A9%E8%8A%B1%E5%9C%92_Salisbury_Garden_%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E6%98%9F%E5%85%89%E5%A4%A7%E9%81%93_Avenue_of_Stars_handprints_March_2020_SS2_22.jpg/1280px-thumbnail.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![TIANJIN/CHINA, 28SEPT08 - Jet Li, actor and Founder of the One Foundation, speaks at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, Ch (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-9fb19dc9740d.jpg) TIANJIN/CHINA, 28SEPT08 - Jet Li, actor and Founder of the One Foundation, speaks at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, Ch (2008) — World Economic Forum from Cologny, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Jet_Li_-_Annual_Meeting_of_the_New_Champions_Tianjin_2008.jpg/1280px-Jet_Li_-_Annual_Meeting_of_the_New_Champions_Tianjin_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jet Li](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-f1b28896366b.jpg) Jet Li — Image via TMDB
- ![Jet Li](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-edc7d028a3a7.jpg) Jet Li — Image via TMDB
- ![Jet Li](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-ae64b3481bc2.jpg) Jet Li — Image via TMDB
- ![World Economic Forum 2009 in Davos, Switzerland.](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-ce1074b267a5.jpg) World Economic Forum 2009 in Davos, Switzerland. — Robert Scoble, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Jet_Li_2009_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Jet_Li_2009_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kiss of the Dragon es una película francesa de acción y artes marciales del año 2001 con Chris Nahon como director, Jet Li como protagonista y Luc Besson como g (2022)](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-5b0d5e46343d.jpg) Kiss of the Dragon es una película francesa de acción y artes marciales del año 2001 con Chris Nahon como director, Jet Li como protagonista y Luc Besson como g (2022) — Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Kiss_of_the_dragon.jpg/1280px-Kiss_of_the_dragon.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jet Li](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-5b2acf6e9578.jpg) Jet Li — Image via TMDB
- ![Jet Li](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-ae15a0cff220.jpg) Jet Li — Image via TMDB
- ![Jet Li](https://film.one/media/person/97963/gallery-9a52998dcc64.jpg) Jet Li — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/jet-li