Dashan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dashan
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Dashan (Mark Rowswell) hosting a live broadcast for China Central Television in November 2006
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| Born |
Mark Henry Rowswell
May 23, 1965 |
| Alma mater | University of Toronto Peking University |
| Occupation | Presenter |
Mark Henry Rowswell, also known by his Chinese stage name Dashan (which means "Big Mountain"), is a Canadian comedian and TV personality. He was born on May 23, 1965. Dashan became very famous in China from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. He was one of the most well-known Westerners in Chinese media. He became famous mainly because he appeared many times on China Central Television (CCTV). Since 2012, Dashan has focused more on live shows, helping to bring stand-up comedy to China.
About Dashan
His Education
Mark Rowswell was born in 1965 in Ottawa, Canada. He went to Nepean High School. He started learning Chinese in 1979 from a refugee he worked with. He bought books and tapes to learn more.
Rowswell later went to the University of Toronto. He first studied philosophy, but soon changed to Chinese studies. His first Chinese name was Lu Shiwei. After graduating in 1988, he got a scholarship to study Chinese at Peking University in China.
First TV Appearances
Rowswell first appeared on Chinese TV in 1988. He co-hosted a singing competition. Producers chose him because he spoke fluent Mandarin. After that, he was asked to perform a funny skit on the CCTV New Year's Gala. This show is watched by millions of people.
In the skit, Rowswell played a character named Xu Dashan. This is how he got his famous stage name, "Dashan." His fluent Chinese and funny performance made him famous overnight.
After a difficult time in China in 1989, many Westerners left. But Dashan decided to stay and continue his career. He later said this decision made his Chinese audience see him as a true friend. His sudden fame was a surprise, but he has remained popular for a long time. Many foreigners appear on Chinese TV, but none have become as famous as Dashan.
What is Xiangsheng?
After becoming "Dashan," he started to formally study xiangsheng. This is a traditional Chinese comedic art. It is often called "the art of comedic language." It needs great skill, even for native speakers.
In 1989, Dashan became the first foreigner to be formally accepted into the xiangsheng family. This was a big deal at the time.
His Career from 1990 to 2012
CCTV New Year's Gala Shows
Throughout the 1990s, Dashan often appeared on TV shows across China. He performed xiangsheng and other funny skits. He was on CCTV's CCTV New Year's Gala in 1998 and 1999. This show is the most watched TV event in China every year. These appearances made him very well-known across the country.
Dashan performed less xiangsheng in the early 2000s. He said it was harder to meet audience expectations. In 2009, Dashan returned to the CCTV New Year's Gala. He performed a xiangsheng skit with Ma Dong. This skit won an award. Dashan became the only foreigner to appear on the Gala three times.
He made a fourth appearance in 2011. He performed with foreign students learning Chinese. This skit also won an award.
TV Host
Dashan started hosting many TV programs and live events. He often hosted shows that had an international focus. He was good at this because he could speak both English and Chinese.
He also hosted educational shows. These included Dashan and Friends and Dashan's Adventures, which taught English. He also hosted Travel In Chinese for CCTV International, which taught Chinese.
Acting in Dramas
Sometimes, Dashan acted in serious plays and TV shows. He often played famous foreigners from Chinese history. In 2005, he played an 18th-century Italian painter named Giuseppe Castiglione in a TV series.
In 2006 and 2007, he played American reporter Edgar Snow in a stage play. In 2007 and 2008, he starred in a Chinese play called The Dinner Game. He won an award for best supporting actor for this role.
Beijing Olympics
Dashan helped the Canadian Olympic Committee during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Cultural Ambassador
Dashan has often acted as a cultural ambassador between China and Western countries. This means he helps people from different cultures understand each other.
He was a Commissioner General for Canada at the Shanghai 2010 World Expo. In 2012, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper named Dashan Canada's Goodwill Ambassador to China. This was to recognize his work in building understanding between the two countries.
What He Does Now
In recent years, Dashan has moved away from TV. He now focuses on live performances and social media.
Dashan Live
Since 2012, Dashan has been working to introduce stand-up comedy to China. He performs in small clubs and at universities. In 2014, he planned a traveling show.
This show became his solo comedy special called Dashan Live. He has toured this show across China and to Chinese communities in other countries. In 2017, Dashan was the only Mandarin performer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia. Dashan sees his stand-up as a mix of Western stand-up and Chinese xiangsheng.
Narration Work
Dashan's unique voice is used for many Mandarin language narrations. He has narrated children's stories like Guess How Much I Love You. He also narrated Peter and the Wolf for the New York Philharmonic. He has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
In 2011, the National Gallery of Canada launched an audio tour. Dashan recorded this tour in Mandarin. He talks about Canadian art in the gallery. In 2024, Dashan returned to China to act in the play The Shawshank Redemption. He played the narrator, "Red."
Endorsements and Guest Appearances
You can often see Dashan's name and picture in ads for different companies. He has worked with Canadian Ford cars. Dashan also helps many charity groups. He works to prevent cancer and protect the environment.
University of Toronto Role
In 2014, Dashan was appointed to the Governing Council of the University of Toronto. He was reappointed in 2017. He also helps with the university's Asia International Leadership Council.
His Family Life
Dashan married Gan Lin in 1993. They have two children. Since the late 1990s, Dashan has spent his time between China and Canada. His family has a farm near Newmarket, Ontario and a cottage near Algonquin Provincial Park.
Awards and Recognition
Dashan has received many awards and honors for his work:
- In 1995, a documentary called Dashan, Ambassador to China's Funny Bone was made about him.
- In 1998, China's New Weekly Magazine named him one of the "Outstanding People of the Past 20 Years."
- In 1999, Time magazine chose him as one of the "Leaders for the 21st Century."
- In 2004, he received a "Special Recognition Award" for his work on a cancer prevention program.
- In 2004, he was chosen as one of "Ten Outstanding Young Adults of Beijing." This was the first time a foreigner received this high honor.
- In 2006, he received the Key to the City of Ottawa, his hometown.
- In 2007, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honor.
- In 2008, he won the White Magnolia Award for Best Supporting Actor for The Dinner Game. This was the first time a Westerner won this Chinese performing arts award.
- In 2009, Thompson Rivers University gave him an Honorary Doctorate.
- In 2018, the University of Alberta also gave him an honorary degree.
Images for kids
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Dashan (Mark Rowswell) hosting a live broadcast for China Central Television in November 2006
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Dashan at the 2017 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
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Dashan in 2024
