Cao-Cao

Jonathan Kos-Read, better known as Cao-Cao (born 1973) is an American actor in film and television in China. While well known in China, his work is little-known in his native country. Kos-Read uses the stage name Cao-Cao, which is also the name of the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, a historical figure well-known to most Chinese people.[1]

Kos-Read is "[p]robably the most famous foreigner in China since Mark Rowswell (Dashan)." His roles have included: My Fair Gentleman (2009) (co-starring Kelly Lin and Sun Honglei), Empire of Silver (2009) (also starring Aaron Kwok and Jennifer Tilly), and Fit Lover (2008) (also starring Nie Bing). Kos-Read has also been featured on a reality program about his life called "Here Comes Cao-Cao" broadcast on Beijing Television.[2] The title of the show was a reference to the Chinese proverb "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will be there" ("说曹操曹操就到"), roughly equivalent to the English saying, "Speak of the devil."[3] He has starred in more than 75 productions.[4] As a caucasian who is fully fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Kos-Read frequently appears as the foreign love interest or villain, in roles that sometimes present stereotypical images of non-Chinese people.[5] In 2009, he also appeared on stage with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in a Mandarin-language version of the orchestra's multi-media concert piece "The Galileo Project: Music of the Spheres," in performances in Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.[6] At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Kos-Read was one of those chosen to carry the Olympic torch on its way to the Olympic Stadium.[7]

Kos-Read was born in Torrance, California, in 1973.[8] He attended the film and acting schools of New York University, but completed his university career there studying molecular biology.[9] Kos-Read began studying Mandarin Chinese at New York University, and re-located to China in 1997.[10] His first acting role was in 1999.[11] Kos-Read is married to a Chinese citizen, and has one daughter.[12]

References

  1. ^ See, e.g., "Jiang Wen plays Cao Cao in new film", People's Daily Online, 14 January 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  2. ^ Stack, Megan K. "Cultural Exchange: Jonathan Kos-Read is 'the token white guy' in Chinese cinema", Los Angeles Times, 16 January 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-16. "Cao Cao's Lovin' It", China Internet Information Center, 12 January 2007. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  3. ^ Lorenzi, Rosella. "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives", Discovery News, 28 December 2009. Retrieved on 2001-01-15.
  4. ^ Jiang Xueqing. "Strange Stereotypes", Global Times, 7 April 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  5. ^ Stack, Megan K. "Cultural Exchange: Jonathan Kos-Read is 'the token white guy' in Chinese cinema", Los Angeles Times, 16 January 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-16. Jiang Xueqing. "Strange Stereotypes", Global Times, 7 April 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  6. ^ "Tafelmusik to Tour Asia with Mandarin version of The Galileo Project", Classissima, 12 September 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  7. ^ "联想外籍火炬手传情荆州：让世界了解中国 (Lenovo foreign torchbearer in Jingzhou: Let the world know China)", ZDNetNews (China), 4 June 2008. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  8. ^ Stack, Megan K. "Cultural Exchange: Jonathan Kos-Read is 'the token white guy' in Chinese cinema", Los Angeles Times, 16 January 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.
  9. ^ Stack, Megan K. "Cultural Exchange: Jonathan Kos-Read is 'the token white guy' in Chinese cinema", Los Angeles Times, 16 January 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-16. "In China, fame comes easier with a foreign face", China Daily, 1 August 2007. Retrieved on 2011-01-15.
  10. ^ Stack, Megan K. "Cultural Exchange: Jonathan Kos-Read is 'the token white guy' in Chinese cinema", Los Angeles Times, 16 January 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.
  11. ^ Stack, Megan K. "Cultural Exchange: Jonathan Kos-Read is 'the token white guy' in Chinese cinema", Los Angeles Times, 16 January 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.
  12. ^ Stack, Megan K. "Cultural Exchange: Jonathan Kos-Read is 'the token white guy' in Chinese cinema", Los Angeles Times, 16 January 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.

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