A role model for the ages

Aside from receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal of fictional characters, Li is also known for the biographical films Jiao Yulu and Yang Shanzhou, respectively based on the true stories of their titular roles-Jiao, the late Party secretary in Henan province's Lankao county, who led locals in the battle against famine and to improve the environment, and Yang, the former Party secretary of Baoshan in Yunnan province, who was devoted to the cause of afforestation.

When asked which character from his decadeslong career is his favorite, Li says: "For me, every one of these roles are like my children.

"But I always teasingly say that a person may care more for a child if they are not as good-looking as the others, or they struggle with physical defects. Similarly, sometimes I care more about the roles that drew less attention."

Starring as a variety of characters, from factory workers to warlords, Li has looked to experience to help him bring to life the distinctive and different personalities.

For tales set in modern times, he has attempted to experience a similar life to the character he is set to play. For example, he followed renowned photographer He Yanguang to the front line of a battle against floods in Hubei province. The trip was preparation for playing the role of a photographer in director Li Shaohong's 1992 movie Family Portrait.

"I was so impressed with the photographers' devotion and dedication to journalism. They risked their lives in order to get a bit closer to their subjects during the disaster to take photos," recalls Li.