Sima Yi from 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' has passed away.

Actor Wei Zongwan, famous for his role as Sima Yi in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, passed away at the age of 89 due to illness.

Wei Zongwan's portrayal of Sima Yi in Romance of the Three Kingdoms - Photo: Weibo

On June 3rd, The Epoch Times reported that actor Wei Zongwan, known for his role in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* , passed away on June 1st at the age of 89. The information was confirmed by his daughter. The family stated that a private farewell ceremony will be held in Shanghai on June 5th.

Farewell to Sima Yi of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

On his personal page, Ren Wangrui, the producer of Romance of the Three Kingdoms , posted a tribute. He described Wei Zongwan as a talented artist, full of emotion, and with a generous personality.

"Wei Zongwan's artistic talent and dedication continue to inspire admiration to this day."

"Now, no words can fully express our sorrow. May he rest in peace in heaven, free from pain. His works and character will forever live on in our memories," wrote Ren Wangrui.

Throughout his career, Wei Zongwan has appeared in a series of famous films such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, and The Great Song Dynasty's Chief Justice... - Photo: Weibo

According to Sohu , Wei Zongwan was born in 1938 in Shanghai. At the age of 17, he worked as a metalworker before passing the entrance exam to the acting department of the Shanghai Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1959. After graduating, he became an actor at the Shanghai People's Theatre.

Due to his unremarkable appearance, he primarily played supporting and minor roles for a long time. However, it was during that period that he accumulated a wealth of acting experience.

Wei Zongwan first gained attention when he participated in the film One Man and Eight People in 1982. In 1989, he won first prize nationwide in a short play competition with his work " Single Bathroom ".

A major turning point came in 1992 when he played the role of Old Ghost in the film *San Mao Joins the Army* . This role earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the 13th Golden Rooster Awards.

Despite his fame, Wei Zongwan diligently takes on supporting roles and has repeatedly expressed the view that actors don't differentiate between leading and supporting roles; what matters is performing the assigned character well. - Photo: Weibo

In 1994, Wei Zongwan played Sima Yi in Romance of the Three Kingdoms . With his introspective, calm, and profound acting style, he successfully portrayed the image of a shrewd military strategist and politician . Many viewers consider this to be the classic version of Sima Yi on Chinese television.

Besides playing Sima Yi, he also made his mark with the role of Gao Qiu in the 1998 version of Water Margin . This villainous character was highly praised for his ability to portray cunning and deviousness while still possessing psychological depth.

Throughout his decades-long career, Wei Zongwan participated in many famous films such as *Tian Long Ba Bu*, *Da Song Ti Xing Guan*, *Tou Ming Zhuang*, *Qiu Qing 33 Days* , and many other films and television series.

LAN HUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tu-ma-y-cua-tam-quoc-dien-nghia-qua-doi-20260603110351116.htm