TaiwaneseActorDirectorPlaywright

Chin Shih-chieh

Chin Shih-chieh is a prominent Taiwanese actor, director, and playwright recognized for his extensive contributions to theater, film, and television since 1972.

1. Overview

Chin Shih-chieh (金士傑Kim Sū-kiatChinese, born December 29, 1951) is a prominent Taiwanese actor, director, and playwright. Recognized for his extensive and impactful contributions to Taiwanese theater, film, and television, Chin has been a key figure in the performing arts since his debut in 1972. His career spans over four decades, marked by significant collaborations with influential theater companies such as Performance Workshop, Lanling Theatre, and Godot Theater Company, as well as notable appearances in acclaimed films and television dramas. His work is characterized by versatility and depth, earning him national recognition including the National Award for Arts.

2. Early life and background

Chin Shih-chieh's early life and educational path laid the groundwork for his distinguished career in the performing arts.

2.1. Birth and family background

Chin Shih-chieh was born on December 29, 1951, in Donggang, Pingtung County, Taiwan. His ancestral home is in Hefei, Anhui, on the Republic of China mainland. His father, Jin Ying (金英Geum YeongKorean), was a Republic of China Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. During his early childhood, Chin Shih-chieh also spent some time in New Taipei.

2.2. Education and early career

Chin Shih-chieh pursued higher education at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He officially began his career as a stage actor in 1972. His early professional activities quickly expanded into television, with his first notable television drama role in the 1978 production Wo ta lang er lai.

3. Acting career

Chin Shih-chieh's acting career is distinguished by his profound contributions across various platforms, including theater, film, and television, where he has been involved as an actor, director, and playwright.

3.1. Theater activities

Chin Shih-chieh is particularly renowned for his extensive work with several influential Taiwanese theater companies. He has been a central figure in the 表演工作坊Performance WorkshopChinese, the 蘭陵劇坊Lanling TheatreChinese, and the 果陀劇場Godot Theater CompanyChinese.

In 1980, he gained recognition as a director for leading the performances of Ho Chu's New Match for Lanling Theatre. He reprised his role as director for Ho Chu's New Match in May 2009. In 2002, Chin directed She is Walking, She is Smiling, a Performance Workshop production staged at the National Theatre in Taipei. The following year, he was cast in Art, a Godot Theater Company production, performing alongside notable actors Ku Pao-ming and Lee Li-chun.

In 2007, Chin Shih-chieh was cast in the musical Irma la Douce, performing multiple times at the National Theatre, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the 新竹市文化局演藝廳Hsinchu Performing Arts AuditoriumChinese. A year later, in 2008, he starred in Othello alongside Lee Li-chun. This production, marking Godot Theater Company's twentieth anniversary, saw performances held throughout Taiwan, with Chin remaining on the cast until its run concluded in January 2009.

His involvement in theater continued with roles in other significant productions. In 2010, Chin appeared in The 39 Steps for Godot, notably the first production to be licensed in Chinese while still on its original run in New York and London. The next year, Chin took the stage in Tuesdays with Morrie, an adaptation of the memoir of the same name, which ran in Taipei and Taichung through March 2012. In 2013, he joined the cast of Stan Lai's grand production A Dream Like A Dream.

3.2. Film and television activities

Beyond the stage, Chin Shih-chieh has established a prolific career in film and television, often collaborating with esteemed directors and appearing in a diverse range of roles.

His film appearances include directorial debuts such as Cho Li's Zoom Hunting (2010), where he played a doorman, and Lin Fu-ching's first film, 不倒翁的奇幻旅程Jumping BoyChinese (2012), in which he portrayed Tian Bian. Chin has frequently collaborated with director Chung Mong-hong, appearing in his films The Fourth Portrait (2010) as Chang and Soul (2013) as a messenger.

His diverse filmography further includes narrating the 2015 documentary 冲天 (紀錄片)The Rocking SkyChinese and portraying a business tycoon in 獨一無二 (台灣電影)Love in VainChinese (2016). He has also taken on significant roles in various television series, demonstrating his versatility across different genres.

4. Awards and recognition

Chin Shih-chieh's contributions to the arts have been formally recognized with prestigious accolades. In July 2009, he was honored with the National Award for Arts (國家文藝獎Guójiā Wényì JiǎngChinese), sharing the esteemed award with Wang Da-hong and four other distinguished individuals. This award is one of the highest cultural honors in Taiwan, reflecting his significant impact on the nation's performing arts.

5. Selected filmography

Chin Shih-chieh has an extensive filmography in film, television, and theater. This list highlights some of his major works.

  • Wo ta lang er lai (1978)
  • Liu chao guai tan (1979)
  • Ho Chu's New Match (1980, 2009)
  • You wo wu di (1980)
  • Xin hai shuang shi (1981)
  • Terrorizers (1986) - Zhou's lover
  • Soursweet (1988) - Night Brother
  • A Brighter Summer Day (1991) - Ming's 7th Uncle
  • Qi wang (1991) - Lanky Ngai
  • Secret Love for the Peach Blossom Spring (1993) - Chiang Pin-Liu
  • The Great Conqueror's Concubine (1994)
  • Tian Di (1994) - Shantung Cat
  • Island of Greed (1997) - Fai's Supervisor
  • The Personals (1998)
  • Guo jong (1999) - Mr. Liu
  • Born to Be King (2000)
  • She is Walking, She is Smiling (2002)
  • Art (2003)
  • The Rise of the Tang Empire (2006, TV Series) - Wei Zheng
  • Irma La Douce (2007)
  • Ting che (2008)
  • Dou cha (2008)
  • Othello (2008-2009, TV Series)
  • Black & White (2009, TV Series)
  • Empire of Silver (2009) - Manager Liu
  • Tai bei piao xue (2009) - Master Ma
  • Zoom Hunting (2010) - Doorman
  • The Fourth Portrait (2010) - Chang
  • Reign of Assassins (2010) - Doctor Li
  • 17th Exit (公視人生劇展-十七號出入口) (2010) - Yuesheng Du
  • Mang ren dian ying yuan (2010)
  • The 39 Steps (2010) - Grandfather
  • 瑰寶1949The Invaluable Treasure 1949Chinese (2011, TV Series) - Yang Lei
  • In Time with You (2011, TV Series) - Uncle Pai
  • Tuesdays with Morrie (2011-2012, TV Series)
  • 不倒翁的奇幻旅程Jumping BoyChinese (2012) - Tian Bian
  • The Guillotines (2012) - Wan Jiang
  • A Dream Like A Dream (2013)
  • The Grandmaster (2013)
  • Soul (2013) - Messenger
  • Rock N' Road (2014, TV Series) - Ko Chung-Ming
  • Brotherhood of Blades (2014) - Wei Zhongxian
  • Black & White Episode I: The Dawn of Assault (2014) - Shih Yung-Kuang
  • Mr. Right Wanted (2015, TV Series) - Yu Wen
  • Double Date (2015)
  • Du yi wu er (2015)
  • The Last Women Standing (2015) - Sheng's Father
  • The Final Master (2015) - Zheng Shan'ao - The Grandmaster
  • Detective Chinatown (2015) - Mr. Yan
  • 冲天 (紀錄片)The Rocking SkyChinese (2015, Documentary) - Narrator (voice)
  • E ling zhi men (2016)
  • Big Fish & Begonia (2016) - Ling Po (voice)
  • Godspeed (2016) - Nadow's Father
  • See You Tomorrow (2016) - God of Bing
  • Ni hao, feng zi! (2016) - Nai'en Xiao
  • The Apparition (2016)
  • 獨一無二 (台灣電影)Love in VainChinese (2016)
  • Provoking Laughter (2016)
  • The Rise of a Tomboy (2016)
  • Duckweed (2017) - Police director
  • Once Upon a Time in the Northeast (2017) - Jiang Dong
  • Surgeons (2017, TV Series) - Xiu Minqi
  • Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield (2017) - Wei Zhongxian
  • Reset (2017) - Director
  • Princess Agents (2017, TV Series) - Yuwen Xi
  • Da Hu Fa (2017) - Ji'an
  • Le portrait interdit (2017) - General Intendent Chen
  • Inference Notes (2017) - Zhou
  • Midnight Diner (2017, TV Series)
  • Hua jia da ren zhuan nan hai (2018) - Mr. Fang
  • The Way of the Bug (2018) - Uncle Da
  • Great Expectations (2018, TV Series) - Huang Shang
  • Ren jian, xi ju (2019) - Yang Taijun
  • A Live Kidnap Show (2019)
  • Wo de qing chun dou shi ni (2019) - Professor Wang
  • Qi Huan Zhi Lv (2019)
  • San Cha Ji (2020)
  • Winter Begonia (2020)
  • A Place Called Silence (2024) - Fang Juezhong

6. Personal life

While Chin Shih-chieh's professional life is well-documented, public information regarding his personal aspects, such as marriage, specific family relationships beyond his father, or hobbies, is not extensively detailed in available sources.

7. Legacy and influence

Chin Shih-chieh's legacy is deeply embedded in the fabric of Taiwanese performing arts. As a dedicated actor, director, and playwright active since the early 1970s, he has played a crucial role in shaping the theatrical landscape of Taiwan. His consistent involvement with pioneering groups like Performance Workshop, Lanling Theatre, and Godot Theater Company indicates a sustained commitment to the development and innovation of stage productions. His ability to transition seamlessly between theater, film, and television, taking on a wide array of characters and responsibilities, showcases his versatility and enduring talent. The National Award for Arts further underscores his significant and lasting impact on the cultural heritage of Taiwan, solidifying his position as one of the most respected figures in its artistic community.