After failing to gain entrance to China's top music school in 1985, applied for and was admitted to the Central Drama Academy in Beijing, from which she graduated in 1989. While still a student, was cast as the female lead in "Red Sorghum", the initial directing effort by Zhang Yimou. China's best-known actress in the West, she was named Best Actress at the 49th Venice International Film Festival for her role in "The Story of Qiu Ju". Made a series of successful films with Zhang Yimou, a collaboration that apparently ended with the breakup of their personal relationship in 1995 and Gong's subsequent marriage to a tobacco company executive.

Trivia:

Was included in People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.

Representative of Shanghai Tang line of clothing. Beauty ambassador for L'Oreal cosmetics. June 1998, Gong Li was awarded the French government's "Officer des Arts et Lettres" for contributions to the cinema.

Graduated from the Central Drama Academy in Beijing (1989)

Personal favorites: Meryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman

Received New York Film Critics award for Farewell My Concubine.

Dated Yimou Zhang [1987-1995]

Head juror of the 2000 Berlin International Film Festival

Head juror of the 2002 Venice Film Festival

Head juror of the 2003 Tokyo International Film Festival

Member of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997

Head of jury at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2000