FAMOUS Chinese modern drama actor, also the former deputy director of Chinese Dramatists Association, Yu Shizhi died Sunday at the age of 86.

    Yu was born in 1927 in Tangshan, Hebei Province, near Beijing. His father died when he was only 3 months old, leaving no money for his family. To support the family, Yu went out for work when he was only 15. He first went on stage when he was 17, in the play “Circus Troupe.”

    Throughout his life, Yu played many roles but most of them were civilians who occupy the lower reaches of society. His acting style has greatly influenced Beijing People’s Art Theater, one of the most prestigious theaters in China.

    He once played the role of the character Wang Lifa in the play “The Teahouse,” a masterpiece by Lao She. It was this famous Chinese drama that made Yu rise to fame as a leading actor in the well-known Beijing People’s Art Theater.

    In May 2007, Yu was awarded the title of Modern Drama Artist for Prominent Contribution.(SD-Agencies)