Monkey King performer Zhang Jinlai is a household name to millions of Chinese．But he was 1 known as Liu Xiao Ling Tong,“the little six-year-old actor”．In 1988, at 23, he 2 a nationwide star when he started as the Monkey King in the 25-episode-TV series Journey to the West(Xi You Ji), 3 by China Central Television．
The TV series 4 such fame for him that 5 he goes, he is called Meihouwang(Beautiful Monkey King)． 6 he impressed everyone so much that most people 7 him as the exact image of the“real”Monkey King in their 8 ．
It has been a tradition 9 the Zhang family perform as Monkey Kings in local operas, dating back to the Qing Dynasty．Zhang’s grandfather and father 10 performed as Monkey Kings in their times．His father used to be quite famous nationwide, too, 11 as Liu Ling Tong,“the six-year-old performer”．Zhang’s father used to be 12 famous that Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai watched his performances．
“We lived together with monkeys at home when we were young, because my father 13 monkeys as pets and as his teachers to 14 Monkey King,”Zhang said,“I often examine 15 expressions and movements, not only at home but also in zoos, 16 I can act more vividly in my performance．”
At last Zhang said,“ 17 I have only a daughter, unsuitable to play as the Monkey King, I 18 an art school to teach people to act as Monkey Kings．I hope that the art of acting as Monkey Kings can continue among those 19 are interested to learn the art, whether they are Chinese or foreigners．”
“Although born in China, the art of Monkey King 20 the whole world,”Zhang insisted．
