Zhao Lei - Actor Profile

Zhao Lei

Acting
Updated: May 10, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 1, 1928
Birth Place: Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China

About Zhao Lei

Zhao Lei (simplified Chinese: 赵雷; traditional Chinese: 趙雷) was a Chinese actor born in 1928 as Wang Yumin (王育民). He moved to Hong Kong in 1947, joined the Shaw Brothers Studio in 1953. He was one of the most popular male leads in the cinema of Hong Kong and Taiwan in the 1950s and 60s. He frequently played the role of an Emperor and is often called the "Film Emperor". He died in Hong Kong on 24 June 1996.

Zhao Lei Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Zhao Lei reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Zhao Lei's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 80% of Zhao Lei's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The First Sword, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Zhao Lei Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Zhao Lei's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Zhao Lei has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1989 Just Heroes Boss Cao Hit Similar →
1980 The Imperious Princess Emperor Super Hit Similar →
1979 In The Beginning - Super Hit Similar →
1978 The Delivery Captain Super Hit Similar →
1978 Dream of the Red Chamber Master Jia Hit Similar →
1976 Monkey King with 72 Magic - Flop Similar →
1975 The Valiant Ones Emperor Hit Similar →
1973 Cheat to Cheat - Hit Similar →
1973 Fist of Unicorn Lung's Father Flop Similar →
1972 Capture of Seven Tigers Kang Wai Flop Similar →
1968 Jade Dragon Deng Da-Shuo Super Hit Similar →
1968 Red Plum Pavilion Pei Shun-Ching Hit Similar →
1968 Travels with a Sword Chang Kuei-Yin Super Hit Similar →
1967 The First Sword Xie Wu-Yang Super Hit Similar →
1967 Wife of a Romantic Scholar - Super Hit Similar →
1967 Passion - Flop Similar →
1965 Beauty of Beauties - Hit Similar →
1965 A Beggar's Daughter Mo Ji Hit Similar →
1964 Beyond the Great Wall Emperor Yuan Ti Flop Similar →
1964 The Story of Sue San Wang Chin-Lung Hit Similar →
1964 The Story of Three Loves: Part 2 - Hit Similar →
1964 The Magic Lamp Erlang, Vanguard of Heaven Super Hit Similar →
1963 Empress Wu Emperor Tang Kao Tsung Average Similar →
1962 The Mid-Nightmare Sung Tan-ping Hit Similar →
1962 Madam White Snake Hsu Hsien Super Hit Similar →
1962 The Dream of the Red Chamber 2nd Master Jia Zheng Hit Similar →
1962 The Magnificent Concubine Assassin Average Similar →
1961 The Pistol Bus passenger Super Hit Similar →
1961 The Swallow Insp. Li Te-Biao Hit Similar →
1960 Kiss Me Again - Super Hit Similar →
1960 The Enchanting Shadow Ning Caichen Hit Similar →
1960 East Flows the River Chao Yung Sheng Super Hit Similar →
1959 The Kingdom and the Beauty Chu Te Cheng Hit Similar →
1959 The Stolen Love - Hit Similar →
1958 An Appointment After Dark - Super Hit Similar →
1958 Diau Charn 吕布 Super Hit Similar →
1957 The Lady of Mystery - Super Hit Similar →
1957 He Has Taken Him for Another - Super Hit Similar →
1957 Miss Evening Sweet - Super Hit Similar →
1956 Beauty in the Maelstrom Wei Zhong Hua Super Hit Similar →
1956 Beyond the Blue Horizon - Super Hit Similar →
1956 Meet Me After Spring - Super Hit Similar →
1956 A Lonely Heart Jing Shan Super Hit Similar →
1956 Fruit of Marriage - Super Hit Similar →
1955 Forever Goodbye - Flop Similar →
1954 Beyond the Grave Yang Wei Super Hit Similar →
1954 Marriage Angle Wen Zi-Yang Flop Similar →
1954 Girls in Transformation - Super Hit Similar →
1954 Shadow in Her Heart Xu Dehuai Super Hit Similar →
1953 The Third Life - Flop Similar →

Zhao Lei - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Zhao Lei?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Zhao Lei is "The First Sword" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Zhao Lei acted in?

Zhao Lei has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Zhao Lei?

Other notable films include "Girls in Transformation", "Beyond the Blue Horizon", and "A Lonely Heart".

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