Born on November 27, 1929, in Tianjin, China, Zhang Yang’s life was a story of reinvention.

After moving to Beijing and then to study economics in Taiwan, he briefly worked as an accountant in Hong Kong. In 1953, he joined Shaw Brothers Film Studio in Hong Kong under the stage name “Zhang Yang.” Over the next two decades, Zhang Yang became a notable figure in Chinese cinema, as both actor and director, in more than 70 films.

In 1961, he married film actress Ye Feng, but the marriage ended in 1965. A year later, he married Shen Peizhen — someone outside the film industry — with whom he had two children: a daughter and a son. That marriage ended in 1976. At about the same time, Zhang Yang left Hong Kong and relocated to the Bay Area. He shifted his focus from film to fatherhood, determined to build a stable life for his children.

Plenty can be found online about Zhang Yang’s film career — some accurate, some less so. What readers won’t find is the sound of his hearty laugh, that he has a sizable sweet tooth, or his curiosity about human psychology. He was endlessly fascinated by the forces that drive people to do what they do, often narrating his thoughts out loud to his children’s dismay (and many eye-rolls).

In his final days, he was blessed with the constant companionship of family, close friends, and caregivers. He passed away with a full heart, knowing he had lived a life of transformation and purpose. Zhang Yang is survived by his children, Lena and David, son-in-law Randy, and granddaughter Colby.

Zhang Yang will continue to be missed — not just for his public accomplishments, but for the private moments that defined him.