Sima Yi's Wei Zongwan passed away at the age of 89.

Veteran actor Wei Zongwan, considered an icon for his portrayal of Sima Yi in the TV series Romance of the Three Kingdoms, passed away from a serious illness in Shanghai on June 1st at the age of 89.

The information was confirmed to the Beijing Daily by his second daughter, Wei Ming. The artist's funeral will be held in Shanghai on June 5th.

Many Chinese artists expressed their condolences. On the evening of June 2nd, Wu Jing posted a tribute: “ I was fortunate to have worked with Professor Wei Zongwan in the film Jiangshan Weizhong. The demeanor of this senior figure will always remain in my memory. Thank you for the opportunity to meet and work with him. May he rest in peace; we will always remember him.”

Actor Chu Yamang also shared: “ From the time he worked with my parents until I joined the Shanghai People's Theatre, his dedication to art and benevolent spirit deeply influenced me. He helped me a great deal in my life and career. May he rest in peace. I'm sure his cheerful and open laughter will still resonate there.”

In his acting career, Wei Zongwan's portrayal of Sima Yi in the 1994 adaptation of Romance of the Three Kingdoms is considered the benchmark for strategic and cunning roles on Chinese television. Many viewers have commented that his acting reached a level of "transforming the tangible into the intangible," meaning he didn't flaunt his technical skills but still created depth in the character, providing a top-tier viewing experience.

Over the past 30 years, many different versions of Sima Yi have appeared on screen, but for many viewers, the image portrayed by Wei Zongwan remains a classic that is difficult to replace or recreate. Many believe this is one of the best performances in Chinese television history, and a major milestone in the history of adaptations of the Three Kingdoms.

Wei Zongwan was not only loved by audiences but also respected by generations of colleagues for his talent, professionalism, and simple lifestyle. After Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wei Zongwan participated in many famous films such as Water Margin, The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, 33 Days of Love, and The Xinhai Revolution...

Wei Zongwan is famous for his role as "Sima Yi" in the 1994 TV series "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".

Wei Zongwan was born in 1938 in Shanghai, China, into a large family. From a young age, he showed a particular passion for theatrical arts and opera. Despite repeated objections from his family, young Wei Zongwan found ways to attend performances. By the age of nine, he could fluently sing many opera excerpts and nurtured the dream of becoming an artist.

A family crisis struck in 1955 when the business declined, forcing Wei Zongwan to drop out of school and work as a factory worker in Shanghai. Although the struggle for survival temporarily distanced him from the professional stage, his love for art never faded. Outside of work, he actively participated in the factory's performing arts group and continuously honed his acting skills.

It was this passion that motivated Wei Zongwan to apply to the Shanghai Theatre Academy. At that time, he didn't have a striking appearance; he was even considered too thin and unsuitable for acting. However, with his talent and experience accumulated over many years of performing arts, he won over the admissions committee and officially embarked on a professional acting career.

Later, Wei Zongwan became one of the veteran faces of Chinese television, leaving his mark through a series of classic roles, especially the image of Sima Yi in the 1994 TV series Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

In his later years, the actor gradually withdrew from the spotlight, only occasionally appearing in minor roles on television. Despite a career spanning over four decades, his life remained remarkably simple. Wei Zongwan once shared that after more than 40 years in the acting profession, he still hadn't been able to buy his own house. However, that never bothered him.

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/tu-ma-y-nguy-tong-van-qua-doi-ar1021542.html