**Gong Li** (born December 31, 1965) is one of China's most celebrated actresses, internationally recognized for her impressive film career.

Her fame is inextricably linked to her collaboration with director Zhang Yimou, who launched her with iconic films such as *Red Sorghum* (1987), *Raise the Red Lantern* (1991), and *To Live!* (1994). She has demonstrated extraordinary versatility and acting depth, often portraying strong, complex, and resilient women capable of facing historical and social adversities.

Outside of Yimou's works, she shone in masterpieces such as Chen Kaige's *Farewell My Concubine* (1993), solidifying her iconic status. With her magnetic stage presence and ability to convey intense emotions, Gong Li has become a symbol of Chinese cinema worldwide, also venturing into Hollywood productions such as *Memoirs of a Geisha* (2005).