Jet Li, born Li Lianjie, is a renowned Chinese-born Singaporean martial artist, actor, and philanthropist whose career spans over four decades. He began his journey in martial arts at a young age, training under the esteemed Wu Bin and winning his first national championship with the Beijing Wushu Team in 1974. By the age of 18, Li transitioned from competitive wushu to acting, making his film debut in the iconic Shaolin Temple (1982), which established him as a major star in East Asia and led to a series of successful sequels.

Li’s breakthrough came with the Once Upon a Time in China film series (1991-1993), where he portrayed the legendary Wong Fei-hung. His directorial debut, Born to Defence (1986), showcased his versatility, while films like Swordsman II (1992) and Fist of Legend (1994) solidified his status as a martial arts icon. In the late 1990s, Li successfully transitioned to Hollywood, debuting as a villain in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) and later starring in Romeo Must Die (2000), which marked his first leading role in the West.

Throughout his career, Li has starred in numerous international hits, including Kiss of the Dragon (2001) and Hero (2002), the latter becoming a critical and commercial success. He has also collaborated with fellow martial arts star Jackie Chan in The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) and appeared in the ensemble action series The Expendables from 2010 to 2014. Li’s contributions to cinema have not only revived interest in wushu but also popularized wuxia films globally.

In addition to his film career, Li is a dedicated philanthropist, founding the One Foundation in 2007 to support disaster relief and mental health initiatives. He has been recognized as one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry, being named by Time as one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2010. With his remarkable achievements in martial arts and film, Jet Li continues to inspire audiences worldwide, embodying the spirit of a true martial artist and humanitarian.