Yuming Du

Yuming Du, born smack in the middle of summer, June 10th, 1958, hails from Jingxing County, Hebei Province—one of those places that’s all mountains, grit, and stories itching to be told. Guy’s had his hand in a bit of everything, but he’s mostly known for his work in film and TV, pulling double duty as both actor and assistant director. Now, if you’re into Chinese cinema, his name probably rings a bell. His breakout? “Ri guang xia gu,” a flick from 1995. It’s got this vibe—raw, honest, none of that flashy nonsense. You can spot him on screen, but he was also hustling behind the scenes, making sure everything clicked. Then he pops up in “Little Big Soldier” (2010), which, if you haven’t watched, is one of those Jackie Chan-starring movies that’s got comedy, action, some heart, and a weirdly catchy theme song. Du’s not just a background face—he brings this grounded, almost “everyman” energy to his roles, like he could be your neighbor or that dude you see at the market every Sunday. Fast forward to 2019, and he’s in “Qing Yu Nian,” which blew up on Chinese TV. It’s this historical drama that’s all intrigue and backstabbing, and Du’s performance? Solid as always. Not flashy, not trying too hard, but just right. He’s not a household name in the West, but in China, people respect the grind. Decades in the game, tons of credits, and somehow he still keeps it real—no diva antics, just solid work, film after film.