On November 21, China Xinwen Entertainment cited sources saying that Zheng Zheng, the actress who portrayed Yuanyang in the 1987 version of "Dream of the Red Chamber," passed away on the night of November 20 at the age of 61. Just recently, a Beijing Daily reporter confirmed the news with Liang Guoqing, an actor from the National Theatre of China who had collaborated with Zheng Zheng multiple times.
1987 Version of "Dream of the Red Chamber"
At least 13 actors have passed away
The departure of "Yuanyang" leaves another void in the world of "Dream of the Red Chamber." According to incomplete statistics, as of now, 13 actors from the 1987 version of "Dream of the Red Chamber" have passed away, including "Grandmother Jia" Li Ting, who died in 1994, "Jia Rui" Ma Guangru, who died in 1995, and both "Lin Daiyu" Chen Xiaoxu and "Lin Ruhai" Zheng Qianlong, who passed away in 2007. In 2008, "Little Ban'er" Li Yue, who played the youngest character in the drama, also tragically died in a car accident. Over the past decade, several others, such as "Feng's" Chen Zurong, "Jiao Da" Kong Rui, "Jia She" Li Xie, "Zhao Mama" Jin Yaqin, "Ni Er" Ma Zengshou, "Jia Rong" Yang Junyong, and "Jia Zheng" Ma Jiaqin have also passed away one after another.
Portraying Renowned Characters in Various Films and TV Shows
Unlike some other actors, Zheng Zheng remained connected to the entertainment industry after her role in "Dream of the Red Chamber." Graduating from the Central Academy of Drama, she was an accomplished stage actress, film and television actress, director, and producer. In addition to her iconic role as Yuanyang, Zheng Zheng also appeared in the television drama "The Snail House" and the film "The Question of West and East."
In "The Snail House," Zheng Zheng played Wu Junmei's best friend, commenting on Song Siming's actions; in "The Question of West and East," she portrayed Liu Shufen, the wife of the protagonist, a long-suffering woman enduring years of emotional abuse from her husband, a role that earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 34th Hundred Flowers Awards.
In "Dream of the Red Chamber," Zheng Zheng’s portrayal of the maid Yuanyang was vibrant and lively, most notably recognized for her classic scene of resisting marriage. In recollecting her audition for the 1987 version of "Dream of the Red Chamber," Zheng Zheng revealed that she had brought scissors with her and almost cut her own hair during the intense marriage-resisting scene.
From today's perspective, Yuanyang, though of humble origin, held her own and had a clear stance and aspiration regarding marriage, boldly saying "no" to coercion, epitomizing a sense of "awareness in the world."
Established China's First Folk Theatre Troupe
A Talented All-Rounder on the Drama Stage
In her personal life, Zheng Zheng also pursued her artistic career with great passion. Before starring in "Dream of the Red Chamber," she served three years in the military in Shaanxi. After being discharged at 19, she returned to Beijing and began to engage with the entertainment industry. To fulfill her role in "Dream of the Red Chamber," she even resigned from her job as a prosecutor after transitioning from military service. In 1985, she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 5th China TV Flying Apsaras Awards for her role as Du Jianying in her first TV series, "Towards the Distant Future."
In 1987, she successfully brought the character of Yuanyang to life in "Dream of the Red Chamber," subsequently receiving numerous roles and starring in rural-themed dramas like "The White Mountain Ridge," children's dramas like "Window Grille," and revolutionary-themed films like "Bashan Azaleas."
In 1993, Zheng Zheng founded China’s first folk theatre troupe, the "Fire Fox Theatre Company." That same year, she independently produced and starred in the country's first folk small-scale theatre play, "Emotional Training," which won six awards, including an excellent performance award at the 3rd China Small Theatre Drama Festival. In 1995, she independently produced and starred in the second play from the Fire Fox Theatre Company, "Rooftop." While working within the theatre company, Zheng Zheng took on various roles, including director and screenwriter, showcasing her remarkable versatility.
Later, as the theatre company was forced to close, Zheng Zheng returned to the screen. In 1999, she independently produced and starred in the family drama "Myriad House Stories." Between 2000 and 2006, she created beloved on-screen characters including Jia Ma in "Nine and One," Shi E in "Military Confidential," and Si Feng in "A Family with Nine Phoenixes." In 2008, she returned to the stage in the play "Memo." In 2009, her novel "Dogs Also Have Difficult Stories" was published.
In 2013, Zheng Zheng reestablished the "Fire Fox Drama Studio," serving as director, screenwriter, and producer while launching the play "Emotional Training 2012." During an interview with a Beijing Evening News reporter, Zheng Zheng expressed her unchanging love for the stage, stating that despite the drastic changes in society over two decades, human emotion remains an eternal theme. The reason she chose to revisit themes of marriage and relationships 20 years later was to help the audience see themselves in the play and to thoughtfully practice their emotions.
Since then, she continued her work in both film and stage performances, embracing the rise of social media by opening an official account and running the "Zheng Zheng Recitation Classroom," where she engaged in poetry and script readings.
Now, the art-loving Zheng Zheng has departed from this world. May she find peace without suffering in heaven, and may the classic artistic works she left behind endure in the hearts of many.
