Gao Xiumin, one of the most popular comedians on television in China, died of a sudden heart attack in her home in Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin Province at the age of 46. Her death on August 18, 2005 is considered a great loss for the bourgeoning entertainment and television show business in the country. 

Gao won national renown with her vivid portrayals of middle-aged rural women or urban workers in short drama skits in TV variety shows, especially in the Spring Festival Show, one of the most popular programs broadcast live over China Central Television, the national TV network. She had not missed a show since 1983.

Gao also acted in TV dramas. Ding Xiang, a kind and straightforward middle-aged rural woman she played in Liu Laogen, a popular comedy on the rural life of Northeast China, won great applause among the TV viewers. She also worked as a producer in a TV drama starring her and her husband He Qingkui, a playwright who wrote many of the popular skits that she performed.

Road to Art

Born in Fuyu County in Jilin Province in 1959, Gao entered a local folk art troupe in 1982 as an actress. With her natural-born talents in singing, dancing, and performing, she was appraised as a National Second-class Actress in 1986. She kept improving herself in her business, and brought laughter to the people around, both on and off the stage.

In 1992, she resigned from the troupe and worked as an independent actress until her death. In the same year, Gao divorced from her first husband, but it did not affect her artistic life very much. During those days of her fractured family, she paid even more attention on the performing art, always reminding herself to face truth and life bravely, and to strive for a breakthrough in the business.

Fortunately, she met He Qingkui who really recognized her values. While greatly appreciating her talents in performing art, He also affirmed that Gao could potentially become a good skit performer. Inspired by He's opinion, Gao resolutely resigned from the post of vice president of the county art troupe, and became a common actress in the Jilin Provincial Quyi Troupe, starting her way to the top of the Chinese skit show circle. 

After their marriage, He and Gao put "family  business" in skit shows. He devoted himself to writing skit scripts that were suitable for Gao's performance. Their work Baofu (burden or cloth-wrapper) won the First Prize in the National Comedian Contest held in Shenzhen of South China's Guangdong Province. Afterward, Gao began to appear frequently on television, leaving deep impressions on the audience.

With more and more exposure by Gao on CCTV, her fame also grew gradually. Meanwhile, she began to promote her husband's works, creating a chance for He to show his talents on the stage of the CCTV's Spring Festival Show.

After Gao left the "iron triangle" in 2004, the couple cooperated for a TV series Shengshui Lakefront, in which Gao was the leading actress as well as the producer.

"Iron Triangle"

Together with Zhao Benshan, director of Liu Laogen and one of the most famous comedians in China, and Fan Wei, another skit star, Gao Xiumin was considered part of "the iron triangle" in skits creation. 

"The iron triangle" first appeared in a comedian skit "Paying New Year's Call" in the 1998 Spring Festival Show. The other work "Selling Crutch" by the three stars in the 2001 Spring Festival Show caused quite a stir in the country. The "Selling Wheelchair," skit, the sequel to "Selling Crutch," was extraordinarily successful in the 2002 Spring Festival Show.

But "the iron triangle" was not limited to being very successful in only skits; the TV series Liu Laogen starring the "the iron triangle" also proved to be very popular across the country. 

"It is my partners that have placed me in an invincible position in recent years. Every one is indispensable on the stage, whether in the leading role or in the supporting role. The success of our show is due much to this chemistry," noted Zhao Benshan. 

The other member Fan Wei also said, "All of us are Northeasterners. Our performances are all about the people and stories with Northeastern backgrounds. Zhao has a profound understanding about the features of the region, and that's where our humor is born. Each time our work is very successful."

Gao thought that the key of their success was "the biggest commonality among the three of us is that none of us has selfish motives. The reason why people have a special favor for our works is because of one word: life. Zhao's comedies are not cartoon-like exaggerations, but rather have a strong sense of real life. From time to time, I don't feel like acting, but rather like living my life."

When talking about "the iron triangle," He Qingkui should not be neglected, not only because he is Gao's husband, but more importantly, because of his role as a solid counselor behind the scene. As a renowned playwright, He is famous for his creation of Errenzhuan (song-and-dance duet popular in Northeast China) and skits. After Zhao Benshan turned to television works, He also began to write TV scripts.

(chinaculture.org August 26, 2005)