Chao-Li Chi (冀朝理; 5 April 1927, Shanxi Province, China – 16 October 2010, Granada Hills, California) was a Chinese-American actor and dancer, one of the first native Chinese actors to break into Hollywood. He fled China at age 12 during the Second Sino-Japanese War, became an accomplished dancer who toured with Maya Deren, and studied acting through Pearl S. Buck's East-and-West Association. He was best known for his 227-episode run as Chao-Li on Falcon Crest (1981–1990). His film credits include Big Trouble in Little China (1986), The Joy Luck Club (1993), Blood Work (2002), and The Prestige (2006, his final film). On television he also appeared in M*A*S*H, Barney Miller, NYPD Blue, and Pushing Daisies. He was also a philosopher and teacher who promoted Taoist philosophy and Tai Chi in the U.S. He died peacefully in his sleep at age 83. No major awards are on record.

Filmography

• Pushing Daisies — Hua Jaing
• 2006American Dreamz — Chinese Premiere
• 2006The Prestige — Chung Ling Soo
• 2005Wedding Crashers — Old Chinese Man
• 2002Blood Work — Mr. Kang
• 2002The Master of Disguise — Mongolian
• 2001Extreme Days — Grandpa G
• 2000Now Chinatown — Mr. Quong
• 2000The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood — Chinese Man
• 2000What's Cooking? — Grandpa Nguyen
• Providence — Tao
• Martial Law — Timothy Chang
• 1997Still Breathing — Formosa Bartender
• 1997Warriors of Virtue — Master Chung
• 1996The Nutty Professor — Asian Man
• The Single Guy — Mr. Pao
• Party of Five — Ling
• 1993Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story — Elder
• 1993Eye of the Stranger — Mr. Lee
• 1993The Joy Luck Club — Canning Woo
• Batman: The Animated Series — Yoru (voice)
• 1991Seeds of Tragedy — Dishwasher
• 1986Big Trouble in Little China — Uncle Chu
• 1983Inspector Perez — Master Fong
• 1983The Nightingale — Gardener
• Faerie Tale Theatre — Gardener
• 1981Eyewitness — Mr. Long
• Falcon Crest — Chao-Li
• 1981The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire — Astrologer
• 1980Damien: The Leper Priest
• 1980First Family — Chinese Ambassador
• 1980The Big Brawl — Kwan
• 1979Bob Hope on the Road to China — Production Assistant
• Hello, Larry — Mr. Wong
• Trapper John, M.D.
• Fantasy Island — The Elder
• CHiPs
• 1977Rosetti and Ryan: Men Who Love Women — Waiter
• The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
• Quincy, M.E.
• Barney Miller — Victor Ling (as Chao-Li Chi)
• S.W.A.T.
• M*A*S*H — Korean Husband
• 1964Open the Door and See all the People — Wei 3
• 1949Meditation on Violence — Himself, Writer

Appearances as themselves (2)

• 2002In the Mirror of Maya Deren — Himself
• 1987Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour — Self