Hou Baolin (; November 29, 1917 – February 4, 1993) 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 ...

performer. He was one of his generation's most popular and influential xiangsheng performers and was mentor to many later xiangsheng performers. His apprentices include Ma Ji, Ding Guangquan, Shi Shengjie, and Wu Zhaonan. He was the father of Hou Yaohua and

Hou Yaowen Hou Yaowen (; July 17, 1948 – June 23, 2007), or Hou Yuewen (), was a Chinese xiangsheng actor. Biography Hou Yaowen was born in 1948, as the third son of Hou Baolin. He became a xiangsheng actor in 1960. He was selected as one of the Chinese To ...

Biography

Hou Baolin was born in Tianjin, China on November 29, 1917. He joined the Peking Opera Troupe at the age of 12, before switching his profession to being a xiangsheng performer, in which he studied under Zhu Kuoquan. After the founding of new China, the social status of folk performers rose considerably. Hou joined the Quyi Art Troupe of the Chinese Broadcasting Recitation and Ballad Troupe and made major contributions to China's xiangsheng art.

Personal

Hou's third wife was Wang Yalan. Hou had three sons and two daughters, including Hou Yaohua and

. Hou died on February 4, 1993, at the age of 76 of stomach cancer. He was buried at

Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery The Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery () is Beijing's main resting place for the highest-ranking revolutionary heroes, high government officials and, in recent years, individuals deemed of major importance due to their contributions to society. In ...

, in Beijing, China.

References

External links

Maine University. 2008. Photo of tomb of Hou Baolin and his wife at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing, China. Photo taken by Marilyn Shea.
1917 births 1993 deaths Chinese male comedians Chinese male stage actors Chinese xiangsheng performers Male actors from Tianjin 20th-century Chinese male actors 20th-century comedians Burials at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery Manchu male actors {{comedian-stub