You Benchang

You was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu on 16 September 1933, and primarily studied in Shanghai and Nanjing.[7] When he was a child, a fortune teller said that he could not live to be 13 years old unless he became a monk. So when he was 6 years old, his parents sent him to Fazang Temple (法藏寺) in Shanghai, where he received ordination as a monk under Master Xingci (兴慈法师).[8] And he got the dharma name "Chengpei" (乘培).[8]

In 1951, You joined the Nanjing Song and Dance Troupe after high school. You entered Shanghai Theatre Academy in 1952, majoring in acting.[9]

After graduating in 1956 he was assigned to the National Theatre Company of China as an actor.

You joined the Chinese Dramatists Association in 1980.

In 1984, You performed a famous pantomime named Shower (淋浴) in the annual CCTV New Year's Gala.[10]

You first rose to prominence in 1986 for playing Ji Gong in the television series Ji Gong.[11] The series reached number one in the ratings when it aired in China.[12][13]

In 2009, You had a minor role as Tang Pangzi in The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman, which starred Masanobu Andō as Yaba.

You participated in many films, such as Reign of Assassins, The University Days of a Dog, and Painted Skin: The Resurrection.

In 1994, You founded the Beijing Benchang Movie & TV Cultural Co., Ltd.

On 28 July 2009, You became a monk at the Great Light Temple, in Suifenhe, Heilongjiang.[14]

In 2021, he made a guest appearance as a Buddhist monk on the comedy film Lie Detector.[15]

• You Benchang on Sina Weibo (in Chinese)