Skip to content
MovieCove
Guoli Zhang

Guoli Zhang

Actor, also producer · Born January 17, 1955 (71) · Tianjin, China

Zhang Guoli is a Chinese film actor and director. Before transitioning to film and television, he began his career as a crosstalk performer. He is best known for portraying emperors in various dramas set in Qing Dynasty imperial China. In 2014, he also served as a host for the CCTV New Year's Gala. Zhang is married to actress Deng Jie and has a son, Zhang Mo, from a previous marriage, who is also an actor. A practicing Buddhist, he is a member of the Taiwanese Buddhist organization Dharma Drum Mountain and holds the dharma name Changsheng.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 17, 1955 (71)
From
Tianjin, China
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
10 on MovieCove · 109 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28

What are Guoli Zhang's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
33%
Morality
26%
Power
20%
Self
11%
Survival
7%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 1 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 4 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 4 · Intense 3

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 5
Shadow
1 of 5
Mentor
1 of 5
Threshold guardian
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
5
Tense
3
Joyful
2
Thrilling
2
Hopeful
2
Other
8

How their films linger

Fun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Guoli Zhang's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 3 of their 10 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Guoli Zhang's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

109 credits, 10 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Tencent Video All Star Night 2025 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Love Again(2025)

    Show 36 episodes · as Shen Zhuoran

  • The Last Cook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 40 episodes · Director

  • Strangers When We Meet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Director

  • Golden Trio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 36 episodes · as Xiao Changqing

  • Fry Me to the Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 24 episodes · as Gu Dapeng

  • In Our Prime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Li Faxiang

  • Silence of Smoke(2023)

    as Liu Tingshen

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Under the Light(2023)

    as Zheng Gang

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Echo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 13 episodes · as Ran Bumo

  • Become a Farmer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Mask (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 31 episodes · as Ji Tingshan

  • Wonderland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 24 episodes · Actor

  • A Love For Dillema (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 42 episodes · as Nan Jianlong

  • 还有诗和远方 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • The Summer Palace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • 青春京剧社 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Song of Youth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Miao Wanqiu's Teacher

  • My Father & Daddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 38 episodes · Actor

  • Long Time No See (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 42 episodes · Director · as He Wenhua

  • The Faces of My Gene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Dr. Bei

  • Youth(2017)

    as Plasterer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • National Treasure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 41 episodes · Creator · Actor

  • The Birth of an Actor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Kung Fu Yoga(2017)

    as Jonathan

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • 非凡匠心 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show Creator

  • Full House of Happiness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 40 episodes · Actor

  • 爱的追踪 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 36 episodes · Director · as Ma Deqing

  • 德云社成立20周年庆典 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Trump Card (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • Everybody's Fine(2016)

    as Zhiguo Guan

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Let's Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 31 episodes · Director · Creator · as NPC

  • He and His Sons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 36 episodes · as Luo Jianjun

  • Homeland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 31 episodes · Director · as 洪根生

  • Bring Happiness Home 2014 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • 老公的春天 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 36 episodes · Actor

  • Aftershock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 38 episodes · as Wang Deqing

  • Back to 1942(2012)

    as Fan Dianyuan

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Green Porcelain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 48 episodes · as 颜若水

  • Romancing in Thin Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Producer

  • 抬头见喜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 30 episodes · as 赵元甲

  • The Monkey King 3D: Uproar in Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as 太白金星

  • You Are My Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 30 episodes · Director · as He Chunsheng

  • Zhong Guo 1945 Zhi Chong Qing Feng Yun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 30 episodes · Director · as 蒋介石

  • 养父 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 40 episodes · Actor

  • Bu Ru Tiao Wu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 30 episodes · as Ye Zhi Liang

  • Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen(2010)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • 草根王 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 30 episodes · Creator · as Liu Shangwen

  • The Founding of a Republic(2009)

    as Chiang Kai-shek

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Living (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 35 episodes · as Liu Dong

  • Crazy Racer(2009)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Lady Cop & Papa Crook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Xu Ban Shan

  • Memoirs in China (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 42 episodes · as Father

  • Memoirs in China (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as father

  • Golden Marriage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 50 episodes · as Tong Zhi

  • The Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 30 episodes · as Yu Dahai

  • Love at First Fight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 33 episodes · as 武丁当

  • New Legend of Ji Gong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 30 episodes · Creator · as 秦桧

  • 屋顶上的绿宝石 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 30 episodes · as 唐起山

  • The 601st Phone Call (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Actor

  • 红墨坊 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 32 episodes · as Ji Xiaolan

  • 少年嘉庆 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 32 episodes · as 乾隆

  • 宋莲生坐堂 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 31 episodes · Director · as 宋莲生

  • Shao Nian Bao Qin Wang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 45 episodes · as 雍正

  • Pagodatree Aroma in Autumn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 32 episodes · Director · as 佟奉全

  • Cell Phone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Fei Muo

  • 中国刑警之九月风暴 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 23 episodes · as 市长

  • Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 40 episodes · as 成昆

  • 布衣知县梵如花 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 24 episodes · Actor

  • Heroic Legend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 35 episodes · as 明朝皇帝

  • 布衣天子 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 30 episodes · Actor

  • Vampire Super (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Wang Dui Zhang

  • Iron Lion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Wo Zhe Yi Bei Zi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 22 episodes · Director · Actor

  • 忠诚 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • Capital Master (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 25 episodes · Actor

  • The Bronze Teeth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 165 episodes · as 纪晓岚

  • A Sigh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Liang Yazhou

  • Grim Guys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director

  • 财神到 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 28 episodes · as 财神

  • 新天仙配 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 28 episodes · as 玉皇大帝

  • 琉璃厂传奇 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 30 episodes · Actor

  • 台湾第一巡抚 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 40 episodes · Actor

  • Kangxi Incognito Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 172 episodes · as 康熙

  • 危情时刻 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • Prime Minister Liu Luo Guo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 40 episodes · as 乾隆

  • 血色婚恋 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 16 episodes · as 徐明皓

  • The Strangers in Beijing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Sha Xin

  • The Story of Xinghua (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • You're Not at 16 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as 林老师

  • Seahorse Dance Hall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 40 episodes · Actor

  • 闯入者 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Stories of an Editorial Board (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · as 赵永刚

  • 女歌星的故事 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as 杨西阳

  • 红十字作证 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • The September of Mine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as 高老师

  • The Heritage of the Yuan Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • The Troubleshooters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as 于观

  • 死水微澜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 12 episodes · as 顾天成

  • The Lotus Palm of the 8 Diagrams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Xian yi fan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Xiang Si (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • CCTV Spring Festival Gala: Crosstalk and Sketch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • CMG Spring Festival Gala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as 主持人

  • 草莽英雄 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Cell Phone 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as 费墨

  • Prosecutor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Zhang Hengshui

  • The Legend of Ba Qing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Lu Buwei

  • 国家宝藏第四季 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show Creator

Career shape

Star power in the 88th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 108 titles, 104 of them dated from 1981 to 2025; peak year 2011.

Biggest box office

Kung Fu Yoga (2017)

$258M worldwide

Highest rated

Crazy Racer (2009)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

Love Again (2025)

Film career

19812025

Peak 2011 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2003Screen debut· Cell Phone
  • 2012First top-billed film· Back to 1942

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting101 of 108: 88 only acting, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score33rdDirecting13 of 108: 3 only directing, 10 with another roleProducing2 of 108: 2 only producing, 0 with another roleOther crew6 of 108: 2 only other crew, 4 with another role

108 titles, 13 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 10 of them.

By decade

1980s9 · acting1990s18 · 17 acting · 1 crew2000s30 · 29 acting · 6 crew2010s31 · 29 acting · 10 crew2020s16 · 14 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 17% of 6 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Guoli Zhang's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 9; across their 8 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 51st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 9 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 9 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · actor

The Founding of a Republic (2009)

86th percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · producer

Crazy Racer (2009)

Midcredits 90th · 78% liked

Reviewers score the acting 56/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 64, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Guoli Zhang work with?

People who share at least 2 of Guoli Zhang's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Peter Lam shares the most, 3.

Actors

Producers