Renowned Chinese actor Wei Zongwan passed away on June 1st at the Huadong Hospital in Shanghai at the age of 88. He rose to fame for his portrayal of Sima Yi in the 1994 version of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and Gao Qiu in “Water Margin.” His death marks a significant loss for the 1994 version of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” production team.
According to reports from several media outlets such as the Beijing Daily and Xinjing Daily, first-class actor Wei Zongwan passed away on June 1st, 2026, at the Huadong Hospital in Shanghai due to an incurable illness, at the age of 88.
Wei Zongwan’s daughter Wei Ming confirmed the news, revealing that his farewell ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 5th in Shanghai, but it will not be open to the public.
The production director of the 1994 TV series “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” Wang Ruifang, expressed his condolences, stating, “In front of the camera, he was a talented artist with passion and integrity. Behind the scenes, he was a sincere and good friend. We have overcome challenges together in our creative work. His direction in episodes like ‘The Mourning of Wolong’ and ‘The Three Paths to Jin’ vividly depicted the hero’s ballads and the vicissitudes of history. His artistic skills and dedication are still highly admirable to this day! At this moment, words are inadequate to convey our sorrow. May Director Zhang rest in peace, pain-free. Your works and integrity will forever live on in our memories!”
Public records show that Wei Zongwan was born in Shanghai in 1938 and began watching Peking Opera and learning crosstalk at the age of 6. At 17, he worked as a fitter at the Shanghai Steam Turbine Factory. In 1959, he was admitted to the Performance Department of the Shanghai Drama Academy and later became an actor at the Shanghai People’s Art Theater. Due to his plain appearance, he predominantly played supporting roles for a long time.
Among his numerous roles, his portrayal of Sima Yi in the 1994 “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” became the most representative character in Wei Zongwan’s artistic career. His performance in the series was restrained and profound, showcasing the complex personality of Sima Yi. In 1998, he received acclaim for his role as Gao Qiu in the TV series “Water Margin,” earning him the title of “professional villain.”
Wei Zongwan’s passing is not the first time in recent years that the 1994 version of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” production team has mourned the loss of a team member. Reports from media outlets such as Shangguan News indicate that several individuals connected to this classic series have passed away.
In February 2026, director Zhang Zhongyi passed away due to illness at the age of 74. Zhang Zhongyi was one of the segment directors for the 1994 “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” series, directing iconic episodes like “The Mourning of Wolong,” “The Death of Jiang Wei,” and the grand finale “The Three Paths to Jin.”
Regarding actors from the 1994 “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” series, in December 2025, He Qing, who played Xiao Qiao, passed away in Beijing at the age of 61. The gentle and beautiful Xiao Qiao from the series became her classic image.
In 2022, the production team lost two heavyweight actors within a month.
On November 1st of that year, actor Lu Shuming, known for his role as Guan Yu in the 1994 version of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” passed away at the age of 66. In the movie “A Chinese Odyssey: Part One – Pandora’s Box,” released in 1995, he played the role of Bull Demon King. In the TV series “Emperor Wu of Han” in 2005, he portrayed General Li Guang.
On November 24th, Li Jingfei, who played Zhang Fei, passed away at the age of 65 due to illness.
It is worth mentioning the moving friendship between the actors who played Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. In earlier years, Lu Shuming learned that Li Jingfei was struggling to live independently after three strokes, so he made a special trip to visit him, doing everything in his power to help him overcome his difficulties.
Furthermore, in 2013, Li Po (real name Li Qingzhang), who played Dong Zhuo, passed away at the age of 85. Another celebrated performance of his was voice acting for the character Pigsy in CCTV’s “Journey to the West” in 1986.
Additionally, Fan Zhiqi, who portrayed Jiang Wei, passed away in 2010 at the age of 44 due to cancer.
An Yaping, who played Ma Chao, passed away in June 2022 at the age of 57 after battling illness. An Yaping practiced martial arts from a young age and won the national martial arts championship. In 1994, he portrayed Ma Chao, one of the Five Tiger Generals, in “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.” In 2000, he appeared as Wei Dongting in the TV series “Kangxi Dynasty.” He also played the role of Tracking Dragon in the sequel to “Journey to the West.”