Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1954-02-01
- Born Place: 中国,吉林,长春
Also Known As:
陈佩斯, Peisi Chen
Chen Pei-Si
Chen Peisi (born February 1, 1954) is a highly influential Chinese comedian, actor, director, and writer. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in sketch comedy and for his unique "structural comedy" style, which focuses on creating humor through a carefully constructed plot and character predicaments rather than relying solely on gags and punchlines.Born in Changchun, Jilin, Chen is the son of celebrated actor Chen Qiang. He first rose to national fame in the 1980s for his collaborations with fellow comedian Zhu Shimao on CCTV's New Year's Gala, with their sketch "Eating Noodles" (1984) becoming an instant classic. This partnership continued for over a decade, producing many beloved sketches like "Protagonist and Supporting Actor" and "Police and Thief."Beyond sketches, Chen Peisi has had a prolific career in film, notably starring in the popular "Erzi" comedy series in the 1980s. In the 2000s, he shifted his focus to theater, where he has written, directed, and starred in a series of acclaimed stage plays, including The Stage and Interrupted Dream. His directorial approach is characterized by a "drama-first" philosophy, where the comedy emerges naturally from the characters and their situations.Chen Peisi's work often centers on the struggles of common people and the absurdities of life, with his comedy frequently carrying a poignant, even tragic, undertone. His recent return to film with the 2025 adaptation of his play, The Stage, has been met with critical and commercial success, reinforcing his status as a master of Chinese comedy.
