Sun Li (actress)

Sun Li (or Betty Sun,^[1] born September 26, 1982) is a Chinese actress. She is hailed by critics and netizens as China's "Queen of Television".^[2]

Career

Sun first entered show business by participating in 2001's Star Search, held by Singapore's MediaCorp. She reached the finals and earned the praise of judge Andy Lau. Following the competition, Sun joined Hairun Media as their first flagship artist.

In 2003, author and TV producer Hai Yan selected her for the female lead in the television series Goddess of Mercy. She rose to fame after the series aired in China, and was recognized as one of the most promising young actresses in China.

In 2006, Sun ventured into films, starring in Huo Yuanjia alongside Jet Li. She won the Best Newcomer at the 28th Hundred Flowers Awards for her performance.

Sun started to gain popularity in China with the 2007 television series Shanghai Bund (a mainland remake of the 1980 television series The Bund).

In 2008, Sun appeared in Gordon Chan's horror-adventure film Painted Skin, playing a young and inexperienced demon hunter. The film was a critical and commercial hit, and Sun garnered various Best Supporting Actress nominations. The same year, she starred in Gao Xixi's military-romance drama Tian Mi Mi. The series was chosen by the Chinese Radio & Television Association as one of the Top Ten television series of the year.

In 2009, she notably portrayed the heroine Little Tiger in the film Iron Road, the second joint venture created under Canada/China co-production treaty established in the 1960s. Her performance won her Best Actress at the 2nd Rome Film Festival and the Gemini Awards, even before the film premiered in China.

In 2011, she played Zhen Huan in the critically acclaimed historical drama, The Legend of Zhen Huan, and was nominated for an International Emmy Award in the Best Actress category for her role.^[3] Praised for being one of the best historical dramas in China, the series garnered high ratings throughout its run, and even broke the 2.0 mark. It was also broadcast in Japan, Singapore, Canada and Malaysia, and Sun gained international fame. The same year, she reunited with Painted Skin director Chen Kaige in the fantasy film Mural.

In 2013, she starred in the metropolitan romance drama, Hot Mom and won the 20th Magnolia Awards for Best Actress for her performance.^[4] On October 13, 2014, Sun was awarded Audience's Choice for Actress and Most Popular Actress at the 27th China TV Golden Eagle Award.^[5]

In 2015, Sun played Mi Yue in The Legend of Mi Yue. The series was a commercial success, and recorded the highest ratings of the year. It also surpassed 20 billion views, becoming the second drama to do so after The Journey of Flower. Sun won the 22nd Magnolia Awards for Best Actress. The same year, she starred in the comedy film Devil and Angel alongside her husband Deng Chao. The film was both a commercial and critical success.

Sun is currently filming Nothing Gold Can Stay alongside Chen Xiao.

Personal life

Sun has been married to actor Deng Chao since 2010. They have two children, a son named Deng Han Zhi and a daughter named Deng Han Yi.^[6]

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

Album

Songs

References