Wu Zhaonan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wu Zhaonan
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Wu Zhaonan in 2012.
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| Born | 14 January 1926 |
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| Died | 14 October 2018 (aged 92) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Education | University of China | ||||||
| Occupation | Xiangsheng comedian | ||||||
| Years active | 1951–2018 | ||||||
| Children | 1 | ||||||
| Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lincoln Center Golden Melody Award for Lifetime Contributions |
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| Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 吳兆南 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 吴兆南 | ||||||
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Wu Zhaonan (born January 14, 1926 – died October 14, 2018) was a famous Chinese comedian from Taiwan. He was known for a type of comedy called xiangsheng, which is like a funny dialogue or stand-up act. The government of Taiwan even called him a "national treasure" because he was so important to their culture.
Wu Zhaonan received big awards for his life's work. These included one from the Lincoln Center and a Golden Melody Award. Before he became a well-known comedian, he actually started a popular food stall in Taipei. There, he invented a dish called Mongolian barbecue that many people still enjoy today.
Inventing Mongolian Barbecue
Wu Zhaonan was born in Beijing, China, on January 14, 1926. He studied economics at the University of China.
When the Communist Party took control of mainland China, Wu moved to Taiwan. In 1951, he opened a street food stall in Taipei. It was here that he created the popular dish known as Mongolian barbecue.
He first wanted to call his dish "Beijing barbecue." However, Beijing had just become the capital of Communist China. To avoid any political issues, he decided to call it "Mongolian barbecue" instead. The dish actually has no direct connection to Mongolia.
Wu's food stall became very popular. Even important people like foreign diplomats and wealthy business owners came to eat there. Sadly, a strong typhoon later destroyed his restaurant. Wu almost drowned during the flood.
After this, he left the restaurant business to focus on his comedy career. Many other people then started making Mongolian barbecue because it was so popular. The dish eventually became famous in other parts of the world, including the West.
His Comedy Career
Wu Zhaonan started performing xiangsheng in 1951. As he became more popular, he left his food business. He performed on radio and on stage, becoming one of Taiwan's most famous xiangsheng actors.
He often worked with another comedian named Wei Lung-hao. Their radio show was very popular and is still remembered fondly in Taiwan.
In 1973, Wu moved to the United States. He continued to perform xiangsheng and also Peking opera. He even created his own brand of beef jerky.
In 1983, a famous xiangsheng master named Hou Baolin took Wu as his student. This was a special honor that connected Wu to the long history of the art form. Wu Zhaonan also taught many students himself. Some of his notable students include Lang Tzu-yun and Fan Kuang-yao. Lang Tzu-yun later started a performing arts group called Spring Sun, for which Wu wrote.
Wu received many awards for his artistic achievements. These included the Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award from the Lincoln Center in New York City. He also received Taiwan's Xinchuan Award and the Outstanding Artist of Asia Award.
In 2009, Wu was given a Golden Melody Award for his lifetime contributions to entertainment. In 2010, he was honored at the first Taipei City Master of Traditional Arts Awards. The government of Taiwan officially named him a "living national treasure" in 2011.
His Family Life
Wu Zhaonan was married, and he had one son named Wu Manyu. His wife passed away in 2009.
On October 14, 2018, Wu Zhaonan passed away in Los Angeles, California. He was 92 years old. A special memorial service was held for him in Taipei on November 2. Many important people and his students attended the service to remember him.
