Line #31 Creator/VincentZhao


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/maxresdefault_1471.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Screenshot of Zhao in ''Wu Dang'' (2012)]]
3
4	Vincent Zhao Wen-zhuo (Born 赵文卓, 10 April 1972 in Harbin, China) is a Chinese martial artist, actor of action cinema and often billed as the PoorMansSubstitute for Creator/JetLi, especially with his role as Wong Fei-hung in ''Film/OnceUponATimeInChina'', where he replaces Jet as Master Wong in the fourth and fifth films of the series.
5
6	Born in Heilongjiang, China, as the youngest of three boys, Zhao's interest in wushu starts at a young age from his father, a martial arts practitioner, and his mother, a professional sprinter who broke the woman's record for sprinting in Heilongjiang.
7
8	Zhao made his film debut while still a student in the Harbin Wushu Academy, in the 1993 movie ''Fong Sai-yuk'' starring alongside Jet Li, where the then 21-year-old Zhao plays the BigBad. According to Zhao, he was told by director Corey Yuen to "look evil" (despite being too youthful and adorable-looking to convincingly play a villain) by "looking at people from the corner of your eyes with your profile facing them."
9
10	After Jet Li terminates his contract with the ''Once Upon A Time In China'' franchise, the studios remembered they still have Zhao under their payroll, and casted Zhao as TheOtherDarrin for Wong Fei-Hung. Ironically, Zhao's StarMakingRole is ''also'' the same role that made Jet Li a household name, the martial artist UsefulNotes/WongFeiHung, and from there Zhao would star in bigger films like ''Film/TheBlacksheepAffair'' and ''Film/GreenSnake'' until his eventual career killer, the utterly tasteless exploitation flick ''Body Weapon'' condemns him to TV dramas or low-budget series until ''Film/TrueLegend2010''.
11
12	Despite ''True Legend'' under-performing financially, Vincent Zhao's portrayal of Su Can in the movie is enough to convince studios that yes, this discount Jet Li still have what it takes to be an action star and a convincing, charismatic actor.
13
14	Ever since March 1, 2017, Zhao is employed as Health Qigong ambassador by the Chinese Health Qigong Association.
15
16	----
17	!!Tropes relating to this performer:
18
19	* EndearinglyDorky: Some of his roles, such as ''Mahjong Dragon'', ''The Blade'', ''Fist Power'' and ''Body Weapon''.
20	* ButWeUsedACondom: According to Zhao, his first child, a daughter, was born in his days in Wushu academy when he got a bit too intimate with his girlfriend.
21	* FamilyMan: Zhao is the father of four, 2 girls and 2 boys, [[http://asianmediabuzz.blogspot.com/2016/12/vincent-zhao-and-his-family-make.html?m=1 and social media often shows him bonding with his kids]].
22	* FragileSpeedster: Being a replacement for Jet Li, this is a given.
23	* PapaWolf: In ''Film/TrueLegend2010'', ''Fist Power'' and ''Wu Dang''.
24
25	!!Vincent Zhao's notable films:
26
27	* ''Fong Sai-yuk'' as Governor Kau Man, the BigBad antagonizing Jet Li
28	* ''Film/OnceUponATimeInChina'' as Wong Fei-hung, only in OUATIC 4 and 5
29	* ''Film/GreenSnake'' as Monk Fahai
30	* ''Film/TheBlade1995'' as Ding-on (remake of ''Film/OneArmedSwordsman'')
31	* ''Film/TheBlacksheepAffair'' as Yim Dong
32	* ''Body Weapon'' as Wu Chi-kwan.
33	* ''Fist Power'' as Brian Cheuk
34	* ''The Sino-Dutch War 1661'' as Zheng Cheng-gong, earning him Golden Rooster Awards for Best Actor
35	* ''Film/TrueLegend2010'' as Su Can
36	* ''Film/WuDang'' as Tang Yunlong. Co-starring Xu Jiao from ''Film/CJ7''
37	* ''The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom'' as Jin Duyi - remake of ''The Bride With White Hair''
38	* ''The Boundary'' as Shao Yun Feng
39	* ''God Of War'' as Qi Jiguang. Do not confuse this with the [[VideoGame/GodOfWar video game]].
40	* ''The Unity of Heroes'', ''Kung fu Alliance'', ''Wrath of Sea'' - Wong Fei-hung, Vincent reprises this role for the first time in 24 years
41
42	!!Tropes associated with Vincent Zhao's roles
43	* CareerResurrection: ''Film/TrueLegend2010'', despite being a flop, was enough to convince studios that [[SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct Vincent Zhao can portray dramatic roles convincingly]] besides ass-kicking, hence granting him additional roles in ''Film/WuDang'' and ''The Unity of Heroes'' trilogy later on.
44	* NoExportForYou: Most of Zhao's films after ''True Legend'' are really hard to get outside of Asia.
45	* TheOtherDarrin: Vincent Zhao replaced Jet Li as Wong Fei-hung in ''Film/OnceUponATimeInChina'' part 4 and 5.
46	* RoleReprise: In ''The Unity of Heroes'', ''Kung Fu Alliance'' and ''Wrath of Sea'', where Vincent Zhao stars as Wong Fei-hung for the first time in 24 years.

Context Creator / VincentZhao