Chen Qiang, an actor best known for playing roles of antagonists on the big screen, died at Beijing Anzhen Hospital on Tuesday night at the age of 93.
Chen starred in 43 movies, and was most famous for his portrayal of an evil landlord in The White-Haired Girl in 1950, and as a local tyrant in another classic, The Red Detachment of Women, in 1961.
Chen was admitted to the hospital earlier this month and died from pneumonia, kidney failure and other complications, state media reported yesterday, citing Chen's family and colleagues.
Chen's wife, son and son-in-law along with several colleagues held a private ceremony at a mortuary affiliated with the hospital late on Tuesday.
News of the highly respected actor's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from associates and fans.
Tian Hua, 83, who starred with Chen in The White-Haired Girl, said via the microblog account of an actress friend that Chen had been her mentor since she was 12.
