Chao Li Chi
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- April 5, 1927
- Died
- October 16, 2010
- Birthplace
- 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
The Prestige 2006
as Chung Ling Soo
American Dreamz 2006
as Chinese Premiere
Wedding Crashers 2005
as Old Chinese Man
Blood Work 2002
as Mr. Kang
The Master of Disguise 2002
as Mongolian
In the Mirror of Maya Deren 2002
as Himself
Extreme Days 2001
as Grandpa G
The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood 2000
as Chinese Man
Now Chinatown 2000
as Mr. Quong
What's Cooking? 2000
as Grandpa Nguyen
Still Breathing 1997
as Formosa Bartender
Warriors of Virtue 1997
as Master Chung
The Nutty Professor 1996
as Asian Man
The Joy Luck Club 1993
as Canning Woo
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 1993
as Elder
Eye of the Stranger 1993
as Mr. Lee
Seeds of Tragedy 1991
as Dishwasher
Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour 1987
as Self
Big Trouble in Little China 1986
as Uncle Chu
The Nightingale 1983
as Gardener
Inspector Perez 1983
as Master Fong
The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire 1981
as Astrologer
Eyewitness 1981
as Mr. Long
First Family 1980
as Chinese Ambassador
- Damien: The Leper Priest
Damien: The Leper Priest 1980
Actor
The Big Brawl 1980
as Kwan
- Bob Hope on the Road to China
Bob Hope on the Road to China 1979
Production Assistant
Rosetti and Ryan: Men Who Love Women 1977
as Waiter
Open the Door and See all the People 1964
as Wei 3
Meditation on Violence 1949
as Himself, Writer
Credits from TMDB.