Zhang Zhizhong, ‘Water Margin’ Star, Dies at 70
Zhang Zhizhong, the acclaimed Chinese actor best known for portraying Chao Gai in the 1998 television adaptation of “Water Margin” and a recipient of the prestigious Plum Blossom Award, passed away on June 6, 2026, in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. He was 70.
The actor died in the afternoon due to illness after medical treatment proved ineffective, according to an obituary released by the Shanxi Provincial Theater Company on June 7. A farewell ceremony was held on June 8 at Taiyuan Longshan Funeral Home.
A Life Dedicated to the Stage and Screen
Born in February 1957 in Shanxi Province, Zhang Zhizhong devoted more than four decades to the performing arts. He was a national first-class performer and a member of the Chinese Communist Party, whose career spanned over 20 stage plays and more than 50 television series and skits.
Zhang’s most iconic television roles came in two of China’s most beloved classical adaptations. In the 1994 CCTV production of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” he played Ma Su, the ill-fated military strategist under Zhuge Liang. Four years later, he portrayed Chao Gai, the original leader of the Liangshan outlaws, in the 1998 adaptation of “Water Margin” — a performance that China News Service noted left an “indelible impression” on audiences nationwide.
Beyond these celebrated television roles, Zhang was a towering figure in Chinese theater. He won the 17th Plum Blossom Award, one of the highest honors in Chinese performing arts, and the 4th Golden Lion Award for话剧 (spoken drama). His stage credits included leading roles in productions such as “The Beginning of Autumn” and “The Yuan Dynasty Imperial Tutor Phags-pa.”
Honors and Recognition
Throughout his career, Zhang received numerous accolades that reflected both his artistic excellence and his standing as a model artist. In 2005, the Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture named him a “Virtuous and Artistic Excellent Party Member Artist” and launched a province-wide campaign to study his example. The following year, he received the May Day Labor Medal and was named an Outstanding Communist Party Member of Shanxi Province.
In 2007, Zhang was awarded the national title of “National Young and Middle-aged Virtuous and Artistic Literary and Art Worker” by the Ministry of Personnel and the CPC Central Propaganda Department. That same year, he was elected as a delegate to the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a significant political honor. He also received the State Council Special Government Allowance, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the arts.
A Pillar of Shanxi Theater
The Shanxi Provincial Theater Company described Zhang as a “pillar” of the institution, whose departure represents an immeasurable loss. In their obituary, the company wrote: “Comrade Zhang Zhizhong was modest in character, noble in morality, and generous in mentoring younger generations. His life was a life of burning for art, a life of pursuing excellence and dedicating himself selflessly.”
The obituary further stated that his death is “a huge loss to the Shanxi Provincial Theater, a great loss to the cultural and art circles of our province, and an endless regret for the national theater, film, and television industry.”
Legacy
Zhang Zhizhong’s legacy is defined by his rare ability to excel in both stage drama and television — a dual achievement that placed him among the elite of Chinese performing artists. His portrayals of classical literary figures introduced generations of Chinese viewers to the country’s rich cultural heritage.
As reported by The Beijing News via Sina, Zhang’s career was marked by a commitment to artistic integrity and a willingness to mentor younger performers. The Shanxi Provincial Theater’s final tribute captured the sentiment of many: “Mountains and rivers share the grief, a star has fallen in the northern region.”
Zhang Zhizhong is survived by the enduring body of work he leaves behind — performances that will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come.