Actress and educator Liu Hongmei dies at 61

Liu Hongmei, a revered actress and educator at the Central Academy of Drama, has passed away at the age of 61 due to illness. Her death was confirmed on May 29 by screenwriter Shi Hang, who remembered her as a dedicated teacher who spent over three decades nurturing young talent.

Graduating from the Central Academy of Drama's performance department in 1991, Liu Hongmei was immediately invited to teach at her alma mater. She later earned a master's degree in drama and opera studies in 2008. Throughout her extensive career, she held various leadership positions, including head of department and deputy dean, focusing on musical theater education. Her commitment to the arts and her students was unwavering, even as she navigated numerous challenges in her career.

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Shocked to hear that my senior, Liu Hongmei, passed away from illness this morning. She belonged to the 1987 performance class of the Central Academy of Drama, and stayed to teach after graduation.

Liu Hongmei was celebrated not only for her teaching but also for her memorable acting roles. She is best remembered by audiences for her portrayal of Jiang Men Shen's wife in the television adaptation of "Water Margin." Despite a limited filmography, her graceful and beautiful presence left a lasting impression. She also appeared in films such as "Fang Shiyu" and "The Young Hero and the Peerless Beauty."

Beyond her acting and teaching, Liu Hongmei was instrumental in the research and development of musical theater in China. She studied abroad in the early 1990s when the academy began its musical theater research initiatives. Many of her former students, including prominent actors Sun Honglei, Jin Dong, and Huang Bo, have spoken highly of her influence, with Sun Honglei once calling her the "most beautiful lecturer at the Central Academy of Drama."

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the most beautiful lecturer at the Central Academy of Drama