1. Overview
Chiao En-chun (born 1967), widely known as Vincent Chiao, is a prominent Taiwanese actor and Mandopop singer. He rose to widespread fame across Asia, particularly for his iconic portrayals of heroic characters in historical and martial arts television dramas. His career, spanning several decades, has left a significant mark on the entertainment industry, establishing him as a beloved figure in Chinese-language cinema and television.
2. Early Life and Background
Vincent Chiao's journey into the entertainment world began with early aspirations rooted in martial arts, paving the way for his eventual stardom through perseverance and dedication.
2.1. Birth and Upbringing
Vincent Chiao was born on November 7, 1967, in Chiayi City, Taiwan. He comes from a middle-class family with no prior connections to the arts or entertainment industry. His ancestral home is in Shandong, China. From a young age, Chiao harbored a deep admiration for the martial arts legend Bruce Lee, which inspired him to diligently practice various martial arts disciplines, including Kung Fu, taekwondo, and nunchaku. His childhood dream was to become a renowned martial arts actor.
2.2. Entry into Entertainment and Early Career
At the age of 18, driven by his acting ambitions, Chiao moved to Taipei to enroll in a Chinese film acting training program. His initial period in the industry was fraught with difficulties due to his youth and lack of professional acting experience. To support himself, he took on various odd jobs, including working as a barber and washing dishes. Facing stagnation in his burgeoning career, Chiao decided to fulfill his military service obligation. After completing two years of military duty, he began to attract the attention of film production companies. His first notable role was as Fang Junhong in the film Mo Dao Wu Qing. However, his widespread recognition came in 1994 when he portrayed the iconic character Zhan Zhao in the television series The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants.
3. Career
Vincent Chiao's career is marked by a comprehensive portfolio of acting roles in both film and television, alongside a foray into the music industry.
3.1. Acting Career
Chiao's acting career is defined by his extensive work in both film and television, with a particular emphasis on his captivating portrayals of heroic figures in costume dramas. These roles cemented his status as a prominent actor throughout Asia.
3.1.1. Film
Vincent Chiao has appeared in numerous film productions throughout his career, often taking on diverse roles that showcase his acting range.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Kinmen Bombs (八二三砲戰) | Fu Lingping |
| 1986 | The Story of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (國父傳) | Hu Yisheng |
| 1988 | Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch (中國最後一個太監) | Warlord Aide |
| 1992 | Passionate Dream (劍霸天下) | Xiao Xiao, Gu Yun |
| 1993 | Drug Tiger ('93街頭霸王) | Tan Jiahao |
| 1999 | Thunder Cops (神探幻影) | Fu Zhenhua |
| 1999 | Four Chefs and a Feast (春風得意梅龍鎮) | Wu Jun |
| 2007 | Autumn's Dance (秋之舞) | Qiu Qianli |
| 2009 | Friendship Unto Death (雷橫與朱仝) | Zhu Tong |
| 2010 | Unusual Love (驚情) | Guan Ning |
| 2011 | Super Player (大玩家) | Emperor |
| 2012 | He-Man (硬漢２：奉陪到底) | Captain Han |
| 2013 | I Am Director (疯狂的导演) | Himself (cameo) |
| 2013 | Return the Money (啊朋友还钱) | Zeng Siyuan |
| 2014 | Gun Transit (枪过境) | Yu Yongfan |
| 2015 | War on a String (悬战) | Jiang Dong |
| 2015 | Where Are All The Time (时间都去哪了) | Yao Wencheng |
3.1.2. Television Series
Chiao's extensive work in television series brought him his most significant fame, particularly for his portrayal of iconic heroes in Wuxia and historical dramas. His roles as Zhan Zhao and Li Xunhuan are particularly memorable.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Mo Dao Wu Qing (莫道无情) | Fang Junhong |
| 1990 | Ba Ba Wan Sui (爸爸万岁) | Hu Zhiwei |
| 1991 | Tian Mi Zhan Zheng (甜蜜战争) | Hu Jimin |
| 1992 | Military Officer and a Lady (軍官與淑女) | Hua Zhizhong |
| 1992 | Half-Life Fate, One Life Love (半生缘一世情) | Li Ruicheng |
| 1993 | Super Female Patrol (超级女巡按) | Lei Guo |
| 1993 | Fatal Attraction (致命的吸引力) | Zhao Wenxuan |
| 1993 | Cactus Flower (仙人掌花) | Hu Jianqun |
| 1993 | Justice Pao (包青天) | Liu Yunlong |
| 1994 | Bright Moon, Green Mountains Remain (明月青山在) | Tang Zhizhong |
| 1994 | A Thousand Words and Ten Thousand Phrases (千言万语) | Ji Renjie |
| 1994 | The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants (七俠五義) | Zhan Zhao |
| 1995 | This Life Has a Date (今生有约) | Geng Jiashu |
| 1995 | Taiwan's Thirst for Love (台湾情之渴望) | Huang Tianfu |
| 1995 | A Chinese Ghost Story Prequel: Peony Lantern (倩女幽魂前传) | Cao Liangyou |
| 1995 | Mazu Worships Guanyin (妈祖拜观音) | Wang Wenzhi |
| 1995 | Heaven Has Eyes (苍天有眼) | Meng Shaobai |
| 1995 | Justice Pao (包青天) | Bai Yutang |
| 1996 | Qiu Ran Ke Yu Hong Fu Nu (游龙惊凤) | Li Shimin |
| 1996 | Golden Bell Series: The Three of Them (金钟系列她们三个) | Zhao Xiping, Lin Zhengjie, Xu Jia'an |
| 1996 | Rouge Flower (胭脂花红) | Fan Xuchuan |
| 1997 | Jiang Hu Xiao Zi (江湖小子) | Xiao Yilong |
| 1997 | The Strange Cases of Lord Shih (施公奇案) | Huang Tianba |
| 1997 | Xi Men Wu Hen (西門無恨) | Gong Yi |
| 1998 | The Heroine of the Yangs (穆桂英) | Yang Zongbao |
| 1998 | Liu Bowen's Legend: Hero Reborn, Tears of the Night (刘伯温传奇) | Tang Yuzhu |
| 1998 | Tears in Heaven (蒼天有淚) | Zhan Yunxiang |
| 1998 | Flower Blooms Flower Withers (花落花開) | Ke Er |
| 1998 | Swordsman III (刀--迴旋刀) | Yuan Renjing / Yuan Nianzu |
| 1998 | Hua Mulan (花木蘭) | Yu Cheng'en |
| 1998 | New Mandarin Duck Butterfly Dream (新鸳鸯蝴蝶梦) | Cao Dingwen |
| 1999 | Legend of Dagger Li (小李飛刀) | Li Xunhuan |
| 2000 | Return of Judge Bao (包公出巡) | Zhan Zhao |
| 2000 | Ji Xiang Ru Yi Nian Lai (吉祥如意年年来) | Nade |
| 2001 | The Switch | Zhu Shou / Zhengde Emperor |
| 2001 | Madam White Snake (白蛇新傳) | Shi Junbao / Fahai |
| 2001 | Ba Sui Long Ye Nao Dong Jing (八岁龙爷闹东京) | Prince Qinghe Liu Suan |
| 2002 | Frying Daggers | Li Xunhuan |
| 2002 | Wolf Hero | Shuai Tianxing, Lang Xia |
| 2002 | Eighteen Monks | Li Rubiao / Wu Chen |
| 2003 | Legend of Leifeng Pagoda Heroes (雷峰塔英雄传) | Qi Jiguang |
| 2003 | Wudang I (武当) | Zhang Junbao / Zhang Sanfeng |
| 2003 | Wu He Tian (无河天) | President Jin |
| 2003 | Feng Qiu Huang (鳳求凰) | Sima Xiangru |
| 2004 | The Lotus Lantern (寶蓮燈) | Erlang Shen |
| 2004 | The Romantic King of Dramas (风流戏王) | Li Yu |
| 2004 | I Love Lion Princess (我爱河东狮) | Liu Shijie |
| 2004 | Tear Mark Sword (泪痕剑) | Zhuo Donglai |
| 2005 | Hong Hai Er (紅孩兒) | Niu Mowang |
| 2005 | Legend of Heaven and Earth (远古的传说) | Fuxi |
| 2005 | Wudang II (武当) | Zhang Sanfeng |
| 2006 | Sword Stained with Royal Blood (碧血劍) | Xia Xueyi |
| 2006 | The Shadow of Empress Wu (日月凌空) | Helan Minzhi |
| 2006-2007 | Magic Mobile Phone | Yu Chuwei |
| 2007 | The Lotus Lantern Fable (宝莲灯前传) | Erlang Shen |
| 2008 | Sisters in Love (金融危机之迷情姐妹) | Chen Tianqi |
| 2009 | Han Xin | Han Xin |
| 2010 | Ancient Legends (遠古的傳說) | Shennong |
| 2011 | Revenge (世间道) | Cheng Zifan / Gu Qingsheng |
| 2012 | Xia Yin Ji (侠隐记) | Ye Hongying |
| 2013 | Beauty in the South (南国有佳人) | Zhang Mobai |
| 2013 | Waiting for Victory Day (等到胜利那一天) | Ling Yongda |
| 2013 | Yue Jin (越境) | Rong Liren |
| 2014 | Huangfu Highly Skilled Doctor | Sima Yan |
| 2015 | Tornado Girl | Qu Xiangnan |
| 2016 | Border-Town Prodigal (新边城) | Xiao Bielie / Hua Hanyi |
3.2. Music Career
Vincent Chiao ventured into the music industry, releasing several albums and singles. His debut EP was titled Vincent Chiao, followed by the album Mr. Vincent.
| Album / EP | Release Date | Label | Track Listing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent Chiao (焦恩俊Chinese) | March 4, 2009 | SSM (声视美) |
>- | Mr. Vincent (文森特先生Chinese) | December 18, 2011 | Huafanxing (华凡星) |
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