On the evening of September 30, 1989, a grand banquet was held at Zhongnanhai to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of New China. The staff were busy attending to arriving guests, while familiar faces engaged in lively conversations. Everyone present was an invitee, and appearing at such a significant event was a tremendous honor for any individual.
As the staff prepared to welcome another guest, they suddenly froze upon recognizing the visitor’s face. “Chairman Mao?” one of them exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention. Indeed, the person entering closely resembled Chairman Mao. But since Mao Zedong had passed away in 1976, how could he possibly be there?
At that moment, some staff members and officials who knew the guest’s true identity stepped forward to reassure everyone. “Don’t worry, don’t panic,” they said. “This isn’t Chairman Mao himself—it’s the actor Gu Yue playing Mao. Remember him? He starred as Mao in movies like The Xi’an Incident, The Four Crossings of the Red Army, and the TV drama Love and Hate in the Ancient City.”
Only then did the crowd realize the truth. Initially confused, they now saw the subtle differences in facial details and expressions that set Gu Yue apart from the real Chairman Mao. Unexpectedly, the actor who portrayed Mao had come to the celebration. Some elderly comrades who had fought alongside Mao were deeply moved upon seeing Gu Yue, shedding tears as if witnessing Mao in person.
People quickly gathered to take photos with Gu Yue and engage in conversation. When the guests were seated, General Yang Baibing noticed Gu Yue’s nervousness and approached him, saluting warmly, “Chairman Mao, I salute you!” Startled, Gu Yue immediately stood up. But after this, he felt more at ease and less restrained.
Observing so many people’s reverence for Mao, Gu Yue felt a profound mix of emotions. He had once believed that relying on one’s appearance was trivial for a true man, yet now he was grateful that his facial resemblance to Mao had granted him the unique role of portraying the great leader. His gratitude, however, was not about fame or fortune, but rather about the profound experience of stepping into Mao’s shoes to recreate his life story.
During filming, Gu Yue immersed himself in Mao’s experiences, personally confronting the hardships and trials Mao had endured on the revolutionary path. He strived to capture Mao’s qualities—the fearless spirit, the charismatic presence, and the resilience to keep fighting under adversity. On screen, Gu Yue ceased to be just an actor; he became a living embodiment of Mao Zedong.
Thanks to Gu Yue’s dedicated portrayal, people across China could vividly witness Mao’s stature and charisma, deepening their respect and affection for the leader. This was Gu Yue’s greatest achievement.
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Gu Yue was born Hu Shixue in 1937 in Hankou, Hubei, amid the turbulent times of the Anti-Japanese War. Both his parents were early revolutionaries who joyfully named their son “Hu Shixue” after his birth. However, the family’s happiness was short-lived. When Hu was still very young, his parents were killed by Japanese artillery fire. Before their death, they managed to send Hu and his older sister Hu Min to safety, saving their lives.
Orphaned and left to live in an orphanage, the siblings often faced mistreatment. Despite the hardships, Hu Min cared deeply for her younger brother, ensuring he was looked after even when she herself lacked sufficient food and clothing. For both, with their parents gone, they had only each other.
Growing up in scarcity, the siblings persevered until 1949, when Hu was 12 years old. Hu Min, a few years older, was striking in appearance and graceful in demeanor, often attracting attention wherever she went. At that time, when the People’s Liberation Army arrived recruiting new members, they noticed Hu Min and invited her to join the 13th Art Troupe, a prestigious unit offering a bright future for a young woman.
But there was a problem: Hu Shixue was only 12, far too young to enlist. The military leaders faced a dilemma because separating the siblings after years of mutual dependence seemed harsh. For Hu Shixue, Hu Min was his only family, and he clung to her desperately, pleading, “Sister, don’t leave me. Let me join the army with you.”
Hu Min wept and begged the officers to allow her brother to accompany her. However, military regulations prevented the underage Hu Shixue from enlisting, and leaders worried he could not endure army life. They promised, “If you grow taller and stronger, we will welcome you in two years.”
Despite this reassurance, Hu Shixue stubbornly followed the troupe’s departure for three days and nights without eating or drinking, refusing to fall behind. The leaders, impressed by his determination, finally relented, “Alright, we’ve never seen such a stubborn kid. You can come along!”
Overjoyed, the siblings cried and laughed, happy to stay together.
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Once in the troupe, Hu Shixue worked hard despite his young age, learning from senior performers and helping whenever possible. Both siblings were well-liked; Hu Min’s beauty and Hu Shixue’s intelligence and diligence earned the affection of the troupe elders. They often shared stories of fighting Japanese invaders, and when they learned the siblings’ parents were martyred fighters, their care for them grew deeper.
Although Hu Shixue had few memories of his parents, hearing those war stories helped him realize, “My mom and dad were heroes too. If the country needs me someday, I’ll fight just like them!”
Though too young to fight and with the country entering a peaceful era, Hu Shixue’s path took a different course. He became a performer in the military art troupe, entertaining revolutionary soldiers.
At first, he resented playing an actor, feeling a true man should fight on the front lines like his parents. He was reluctant to perform on stage. But senior members persuaded him, “No one wishes for war; people long for peace. Your audience are veterans who sacrificed much for this peace. By performing well and bringing them joy, you honor their sacrifices.”
This changed Hu’s perspective profoundly. He realized that in peacetime, doing his best in art was also heroic.
From then on, Hu Shixue adopted a serious attitude, learning acting earnestly and taking the stage name Gu Yue. Tall, handsome, and intelligent, he excelled not only in acting but also in script development, improving performances with his insights.
Over time, Gu Yue became a star of the troupe, noted especially for his striking resemblance to a young Mao Zedong. Many old revolutionaries who missed Mao insisted on watching Gu Yue’s performances, increasing his popularity.
As years passed, Gu Yue advanced to become a key member and leader within the troupe, eventually appointed head of the Cultural Section of the Kunming Military Region Political Department in his late thirties—a promising career by any measure.
Then came a turning point.
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After Mao’s death, a wave of nationwide mourning swept the country, with countless people visiting his memorial. The Communist Party decided to honor Mao’s legacy by recreating his image on film and television to promote his life story.
The decision received unanimous support from top leaders, who launched a nationwide search for actors resembling Mao. Although several had previously portrayed Mao, the Party sought the most convincing likeness.
Among more than twenty candidates whose photos were sent to Marshal Ye Jianying’s office was Gu Yue. Upon seeing Gu Yue’s photo, Ye was impressed, noting a resemblance not perfect but striking enough—about 60-70% likeness. After consulting with General Geng Biao, Ye finalized the choice of Gu Yue as the official Mao impersonator.
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When Gu Yue learned of his selection, he felt both excited and anxious. He was thrilled at the chance to portray Mao but uncertain about his acting skills. Encouraged by his family, he bravely took the step to join the August First Film Studio. His wife supported him by moving to Beijing.
Following orders, Gu Yue studied Mao’s life and mannerisms intensively alongside other impersonators. To help him embody Mao, he was granted access to classified archives and permitted to attend central government meetings as an observer. Through rigorous training, Gu Yue’s gestures and demeanor increasingly reflected Mao’s presence.
Filming began with The Xi’an Incident. At first, Gu Yue struggled and was frequently reprimanded by the director, who once mocked, “Besides your face, what other talent do you have? Such a face is wasted on you!”
Humbled and motivated by the criticism, Gu Yue worked harder both on and off set. Under the director Cheng Yin’s strict guidance and Gu Yue’s dedication, the film was completed successfully.
Upon release, many viewers felt they saw a living Chairman Mao on screen. Veteran comrades who had served Mao were moved to tears, feeling as if Mao had returned.
Gu Yue’s skill grew with experience, and he soon became recognized as the most authentic Mao impersonator among all.
After gaining fame, Gu Yue was invited to numerous regional events and even received a warm invitation from Mao’s daughter, Li Min, to meet and chat.
Excited, Gu Yue accepted. They met on December 26, Mao’s birthday, where Li Min shared personal anecdotes about her father. These details helped Gu Yue add nuance and humanity to his on-screen portrayal of Mao.
Though Gu Yue traveled widely for his work, his favorite place remained Jia County in northern Shaanxi, where Mao once lived and directed many battles. The local people there deeply respected Mao and welcomed Gu Yue warmly, often offering local specialties. The orderly and respectful way the villagers treated Gu Yue impressed him greatly, allowing for long, relaxed interactions.
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In his later years, Gu Yue wished to portray Mao at least 100 times, seeking a perfect closure to his career. Sadly, fate intervened. In 2005, he suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away despite medical efforts, having portrayed Mao 87 times.
Though falling short of his goal, Gu Yue’s lifelong dedication to playing a single role made him a benchmark for Mao impersonators. He was deeply thankful that his resemblance had given him the chance to step into Mao’s shoes and experience the great leader’s challenging journey firsthand, enriching his own spirit and legacy.
