Chao-Li Chi

In this Chinese name, the family name is Chi (Ji).

Chao-Li Chi
Born	April 5, 1927 Shanxi Province, China
Died	October 16, 2010 (aged 83) Granada Hills, California
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1948, 1964–2008

Chao-Li Chi (Chinese: 冀朝理; pinyin: Jì Cháolǐ; April 5, 1927 – October 16, 2010) was a Chinese-born American actor and dancer who worked extensively in American television, including his best known role as Chao-Li, the faithful majordomo and chauffeur of Jane Wyman's character in Falcon Crest. Additionally, his film credits include Big Trouble in Little China, The Joy Luck Club, The Nutty Professor, Wedding Crashers and The Prestige. He was featured in the short film by Maya Deren, Meditation on Violence, in 1948.

His brothers include the economist Ji Chaoding and diplomat Ji Chaozhu.

Early life and education

Chi was born in Shanxi, China, on April 5, 1927. He settled in New York City in 1939 with his family, including his younger brother Ji Chaozhu, as refugees from the Japanese invasion of China. He obtained a bachelor's degree from St. John's College, in Annapolis, Maryland. Chi also earned a master's degree from New York University and a second master's degree from The New School, which was known as the New School for Social Research at the time.

Career

Chi began studying acting under Pearl S. Buck at the East and West Association. He appeared as the lead performer in Maya Deren's 1948 film, Meditation on Violence. He continued to perform with Deren dance companies into the 1960s. In 1967, Chi became the Dance Director of the Living Arts Program in Dayton, Ohio, while touring with Deren.

Chi appeared in approximately fifty-one film and television roles during the course of his career. On television, Chi was perhaps best known for his role as Chao-Li in the 1980s soap opera Falcon Crest which aired for nine years on CBS. His other television credits included parts on M*A*S*H and Pushing Daisies. Chi's film credits included The Joy Luck Club, Big Trouble in Little China, The Prestige and Wedding Crashers. His theater credits included the travelling production of Flower Drum Song and the short lived musical Barbary Coast.

Chi moved to Los Angeles in 1975. A practicing Taoist, Chi co-founded the Taoist Sanctuary, which is now known as the Taoist Institute, in Hollywood. He taught courses in the Tao Te Ching, I Ching, philosophy and tai chi at California State University, Los Angeles and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. He also taught tai chi at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, California, on Saturdays for more than thirty years.

Death

Chi died in his home in Granada Hills, California, on October 16, 2010, at the age of 83. He was survived by his wife, daughter and stepson.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1948	Meditation on Violence	Himself	Short
1964	Open the Door and See All the People	Wei No. 3
1980	The Big Brawl	Kwan
1980	First Family	Chinese Ambassador
1981	Eyewitness	Mr. Long
1986	Big Trouble in Little China	Uncle Chu
1992	Batman: The Animated Series	Yoru Sensei	Episode "Night of the Ninja" (voice)
1993	Eye of the Stranger	Mr. Lee
1993	Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story	Elder
1993	The Joy Luck Club	June's Father
1996	The Nutty Professor	Asian Man
1997	Still Breathing	Formosa Bartender
1997	Warriors of Virtue	Master Chung
2000	What's Cooking?	Grandpa Nguyen
2000	Now Chinatown	Mr. Quong
2001	Extreme Days	Grandpa G
2002	The Master of Disguise	Mongolian
2002	Blood Work	Mr. Kang
2005	Wedding Crashers	Old Chinese Man
2006	American Dreamz	Chinese Premiere
2006	The Prestige	Chung Ling Soo

External links

• Chao-Li Chi at IMDb
• Obituary Los Angeles Times