Hu Qingshi was born in July 1938, Anqing, Anhui. After graduating from middle school in 1956, he was admitted to Anhui Opera Troupe as a trainee. In 1958, he served as an actor in the Lanzhou Military Region Fighting Drama Troupe. In 1969, demobilization was assigned to Wuhu Iron and Steel Plant as a worker. In 1972 he was an actor of Anhui Provincial Drama Troupe. In 1979 he was an actor of the Lanzhou Military Region Repertory Theatre. In 1980, he was admitted to the acting teacher class of the Central Academy of Drama. In 1982 he was the director of the Lanzhou Military Region Repertory Theatre. In 1986, he moved to Zhejiang Opera Company as an actor.

Filmography