Jack Kao

Jack Kao, born 23 April 1958 in Taiwan, is a prolific Taiwanese actor whose career spans more than three decades, making him a cornerstone of modern Chinese‑language cinema. Known in Mandarin as 高捷 (Gāo Jié) and in Hokkien as Ko Chia̍t, he adopted the Western‑style name Jack Kao early in his professional life, though his given name remains Gao Jie. He first emerged on the screen in the late 1980s, appearing in Hou Hsiao‑hsien’s landmark film Daughter of the Nile (1987) and quickly earned recognition for his gritty, naturalistic performances. Kao’s breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed A City of Sadness (1989), a sweeping epic about Taiwan’s White Terror that won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, cementing his reputation as a versatile talent capable of handling complex historical material. Throughout the 1990s he remained a fixture in both art‑house and commercial productions, starring in Island of Fire (1990), Dust of Angels (1992), and the internationally praised Flowers of Shanghai (1998). In the new millennium, Kao continued to diversify his roles, portraying a streetwise anti‑hero in Millennium Mambo (2001) and appearing in the high‑octane action thriller Shinjuku Incident (2009). His filmography also includes acclaimed projects such as Prince of Tears (2009), Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011), and the genre‑blending The Assassin (2015). Beyond acting, Kao has explored music under the alias Kao Jai, showcasing his artistic range. His longevity in the industry is underpinned by a deep connection to Taiwan’s cultural narratives and an ability to navigate both gritty gangster roles and refined period pieces. As a result, he is regarded not only as a veteran thespian but also as an influential figure shaping the evolution of contemporary Taiwanese cinema.