Chang Guitian (; 1942 – 30 November 2018) was a Chinese ''

xiangsheng Xiangsheng (), also known as crosstalk or comic dialogue, is a traditional performing art in Chinese comedy, and one of the most popular elements in Chinese culture. It is typically performed as a dialogue between two performers, or rarely as a ...

'' comedian of

Manchu The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized ethnic minority in China and the people from whom Manchuria derives its name. The Later Jin (1616–1636) and ...

ethnicity. He was a first-level national actor. He attained the rank of

major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

( shaojiang) on December 22, 2012. His disciples included Li Zhiyou (), Zhu Haitang (), Zhang Yong (), and Zhang Lingqi ().

Biography

Chang was born into a family of ''

'' performers in 1942. His grandfather Chang Lian'an (; 1899–1966) was a ''xiangsheng'' master in the first half of the 20th century. His father Chang Baokun (; 1922–1951) was a ''xiangsheng'' performer who died in the

Korean War , date = {{Ubl, 25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953 (''de facto'')({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=6, day1=25, year1=1950, month2=7, day2=27, year2=1953), 25 June 1950 – present (''de jure'')({{Age in years, months, weeks a ...

. His uncle

Chang Baohua Chang Baohua (December 1930 – 7 September 2018) was a Chinese xiangsheng comedian of Manchu ethnicity. He was one of the sixth generation of well-known Chinese xiangsheng actors. He authored one hundred and seventy works. Chang was a member of ...

(1930–2018) was one of the sixth generation of well-known ''xiangsheng'' performers. In 1954 he began to learn ''xiangsheng'' under Zhao Peiru (; 1914–1973). Four years later, he joined the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Political Department of

People's Liberation Army Navy The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN; ), also known as the People's Navy, Chinese Navy, or PLA Navy, is the maritime service branch of the People's Liberation Army. The PLAN traces its lineage to naval units fighting during the Chinese ...

. Chang was promoted to the rank of

( shaojiang) on December 22, 2012. On November 30, 2018, he died of illness in Beijing, aged 76.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chang, Guitian 1942 births 2018 deaths Male actors from Beijing Manchu people Manchu male actors Chinese xiangsheng performers Chinese male stage actors Chinese male comedians