Chao Li Chi
Acting
1927-04-05 · Shanxi Province, China
Chao-Li Chi (冀朝理; 5 April 1927, Shanxi Province, China – 16 October 2010, Granada Hills, California) was a Chinese-American actor and dancer, one of the first native Chinese actors to break into Hollywood. He fled China at age 12 during the Second Sino-Japanese War, became an accomplished dancer who toured with Maya Deren, and studied acting through Pearl S. Buck's East-and-West Association. He was best known for his 227-episode run as Chao-Li on Falcon Crest (1981–1990). His film credits include Big Trouble in Little China (1986), The Joy Luck Club (1993), Blood Work (2002), and The Prestige (2006, his final film). On television he also appeared in M*A*S*H, Barney Miller, NYPD Blue, and Pushing Daisies. He was also a philosopher and teacher who promoted Taoist philosophy and Tai Chi in the U.S. He died peacefully in his sleep at age 83. No major awards are on record.
Filmography
Pushing Daisies
2007 · Series
The Prestige
2006 · Movie
American Dreamz
2006 · Movie
Wedding Crashers
2005 · Movie
Blood Work
2002 · Movie
The Master of Disguise
2002 · Movie
In the Mirror of Maya Deren
2002 · Movie
Extreme Days
2001 · Movie
The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood
2000 · Movie
Now Chinatown
2000 · Movie
What's Cooking?
2000 · Movie
Providence
1999 · Series
Martial Law
1998 · Series
Still Breathing
1997 · Movie
Warriors of Virtue
1997 · Movie
The Nutty Professor
1996 · Movie
The Single Guy
1995 · Series
Party of Five
1994 · Series
The Joy Luck Club
1993 · Movie
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
1993 · Movie
Eye of the Stranger
1993 · Movie
Batman: The Animated Series
1992 · Series
Seeds of Tragedy
1991 · Movie
Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour
1987 · Movie
Big Trouble in Little China
1986 · Movie
The Nightingale
1983 · Movie
Inspector Perez
1983 · Movie
Faerie Tale Theatre
1982 · Series
Falcon Crest
1981 · Series
The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire
1981 · Movie
Eyewitness
1981 · Movie
First Family
1980 · Movie
Damien: The Leper Priest
1980 · Movie
The Big Brawl
1980 · Movie
Trapper John, M.D.
1979 · Series
Bob Hope on the Road to China
1979 · Movie
Hello, Larry
1979 · Series
Fantasy Island
1978 · Series
CHiPs
1977 · Series
Rosetti and Ryan: Men Who Love Women
1977 · Movie
The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
1977 · Series
Quincy, M.E.
1976 · Series
S.W.A.T.
1975 · Series
Barney Miller
1975 · Series
M*A*S*H
1972 · Series
Open the Door and See all the People
1964 · Movie
Meditation on Violence
1949 · Movie