Wang Xizhong is a famous film and television makeup master in China and a national first-class artist. Born on Changshan Island, Penglai County, Shandong Province, he did not receive a good education at an early age, dropped out of primary school, worked as an apprentice in a weaving factory, and often used his spare time to study and Xi.
In 1948, Wang Xizhong was admitted to the fourth training class of the Northeast Film Studio to learn Xi makeup, and began to enter the film industry. In February 1950, he graduated early and was transferred to Beiying as a makeup artist. In 1954, Wang Xizhong went to the Soviet Union to study film makeup at Moscow Film University and Moscow Film Studio, during Xi which he systematically investigated many makeup techniques such as the makeup rules of color films and the depiction of skin tones and textures.
After returning to China in 1956, Wang Xizhong served as the director of the makeup studio of Beijing Film Studio, and officially established the makeup studio of Beijing Film Studio. During his career, he has made up many historical figures and won the Best Makeup Award at the 2nd Chinese Film Golden Rooster Awards. Wang Xizhong is also the chief designer of the 86 version of "Journey to the West".
Among them, the images of the gods, demons, and characters in the 86 version of "Journey to the West", which are well-known to the people of the whole country, are from the hands of Mr. Wang Xizhong.
On December 19, 2022, Wang Xizhong died of illness in Beijing at the age of 94. His death is a huge loss to the Chinese film and television industry.