In the early morning of July 15th, Sha Yuhua, the actress who portrayed Granny Liu in the 1987 TV series “Dream of the Red Chamber,” passed away in Beijing at the age of 95. The news was confirmed by a joint statement from Chen Honghai, who played Xue Pan in the series, along with other cast members.
The joint statement by Chen Honghai, Ouyang Fenqiang (portrayed Jia Baoyu), Gao Hongliang (portrayed Jia Lian), Hu Yan (makeup artist), and Ouyang Fenqiang’s wife Kang Li expressed, “She (Sha Yuhua) delved into the words and actions of the elderly countryside characters with her heart, bringing Granny Liu to life. In the Grand View Garden, she added a touch of earthiness and humor, enriching the series with human warmth. During the hardships of the Jia Family’s downfall, she did not forget past kindness, braving the snowstorm to rescue her clever sister, portraying the kindness and integrity of ordinary people, becoming an unforgettable classic image in the hearts of several generations of viewers.”
Following this, Ouyang Fenqiang, Deng Jie (portrayed Wang Xifeng), Gao Hongliang, Hou Changrong (portrayed Liu Xianglian), and other key creators of “Dream of the Red Chamber” posted tributes to bid farewell to the beloved “Granny Liu.”
Data shows that as a veteran stage actress approaching her senior years, Sha Yuhua was chosen to portray Granny Liu in the 1987 version of “Dream of the Red Chamber” through a series of coincidental events. The main reason was the casting difficulties faced by the production team and the genuine qualities that impressed director Wang Fulin.
In 1983, when Wang Fulin was preparing for the series, he was troubled by the role of Granny Liu, a pivotal character throughout the drama. The actors who came to audition at the time either had a too fashionable appearance or showed too much theatricality, lacking the authenticity and rustic charm of a rural elderly character.
Sha Yuhua, who had just retired from the Railway Art Troupe, was initially helping with odd jobs like props, lifting boxes, and serving tea on the set of “Dream of the Red Chamber.” She had no intention of auditioning for a role as an actress. Due to her plain appearance and simple attire, there were even amusing incidents where she was mistaken by the assistant director as a “beggar asking for food” because her shoes were worn out and torn.
Observing the production team’s struggle with casting Granny Liu, someone noticed Sha Yuhua, who was doing miscellaneous tasks on set, and believed that her dark, lean face, weathered wrinkles, and natural and honest demeanor perfectly matched the image of a peasant woman. They recommended her to director Wang Fulin.
Director Wang Fulin arranged for Sha Yuhua to audition, where she delivered Granny Liu’s lines, including the iconic phrase, “Granny Liu, Granny Liu, eats like a cow, won’t even look up when eating a mother pig.” With her solid stage acting skills, Sha Yuhua transformed into the character by slightly adjusting her appearance, stooping her back, puffing up her cheeks, and portraying the mix of simplicity and shrewdness as Granny Liu entered the Rongguo Mansion.
Upon seeing her performance, Wang Fulin was greatly impressed and felt she had stepped out of Cao Xueqin’s novel, making an immediate decision to cast her in the role.
The 1987 version of “Dream of the Red Chamber” stands as a classic work etched in the memories of countless viewers. However, with the passing of time and life’s changes, at least 16 actors, including core cast members, have passed away due to illness or accidents.
Among the central characters and key figures, Chen Xiaoxu (portrayed Lin Daiyu) passed away in May 2007 at the age of 41 due to breast cancer. Zheng Zheng (portrayed Jin Yuanying) died in November 2024 in Beijing at the age of 61.
In the older generation of the Jia Family and core women characters, besides the recent passing of Sha Yuhua who played Granny Liu, Li Fengying, who portrayed Xue Yimai, passed away in Beijing in June this year at the age of 77. Sun Caihong (played Zhou Ruijia) passed away in January 2026 in Beijing, Jin Yaqin (played Zhao Mama) passed away in June 2016 at the age of 91. Li Ting (portrayed Jia Mother) died in 1994 of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 73, becoming the earliest deceased cast member of the “Dream of the Red Chamber” production team.
Among the generations of the Jia Family patriarchs and sons, Ma Jiaqi (portrayed Jia Zheng) passed away in September 2021 at the age of 82, and also served as the assistant director of the drama. Yang Junyong (portrayed Jia Rong) died suddenly of a heart attack in 2021 at the age of 57. Li Jie (portrayed Jia She) passed away in 2016 at the age of 92. Zheng Qianlong (portrayed Lin Ruhai, Lin Daiyu’s father) died in 2007 at the age of 65. Ma Guangru (portrayed Jia Rui) died in 1995 at the age of 32 due to illness.
Furthermore, among the supporting roles and minor characters, Ma Zengshou (portrayed Ni Er) passed away in 2017 at the age of 77. Kong Rui (portrayed Jiao Da) passed away in 2014 at the age of 91. Chen Zuyong (portrayed Mrs. Feng, Zhen Shiying’s wife) passed away in 2009 at the age of 69. Li Yue (portrayed Xiao Ban’er) tragically died in a car accident in 2008 at the age of 29, becoming the youngest deceased cast member of the production team.
Especially noteworthy is the touching moment when Sha Yuhua, after the death of her “Lin Sister” Chen Xiaoxu, tearfully expressed her intention to enlarge their photo and hang it in her home to “forever watch over her.” In 2008, when Li Yue, who played “Ban’er,” passed away at the young age of 29 in a car accident, the then nearly octogenarian Sha Yuhua was deeply saddened by the news. Despite the shock and grief, she insisted on personally going to the scene of the accident to bid farewell to this “grandson.”
It is remarkable how Li Yue, at the tender age of five or six, portrayed Granny Liu’s grandson “Ban’er,” creating a vivid and endearing portrayal. The scenes where Granny Liu and Ban’er navigated the Rongguo Mansion with cramped but humorous and down-to-earth interactions have become an indelible on-screen classic, evoking tears from generations of fans.