All-round entertainer Ren Xianqi

Ren Xianqi, Richie Ren by his English name, is one of the brightest and longest shining stars to illuminate the Chinese entertainment galaxy. For the past twenty years, this showbiz heavy weight has released albums at a rate of about one per year, while also working as a film actor and director.

Richie Ren was born on June 23, 1966 in Taiwan. He majored in golf at the Physical Education Department of Wen Hua (culture) College. When in college, he started a band called ATP in which he was the lead singer and guitarist. By his sophomore year, Richie had become a popular campus DJ, which really provided the kick-start for his career in music.

In his final year in college in 1990, Richie signed with Taiwan record label Xin Ge and recorded his first solo album titled Toward the Rainbow - 奔向彩虹 Bei xiang caihong. The success of this album soon led to appearances in television commercials -- and the rest is history.

In 1996, Richie changed labels to Rock Records, and went on to release the albums I feel Good, and Soft Heart - Xin Tairuan half a year later.

The singer was feeling so unsure about his recording career that he threatened to quit show business and turn to sports journalism should his albums fail to sell as well as expected. He never had to follow up on this threat, though, as the sales of Soft Heart soared to 2 million in Asia. The title song of the album, Xin Tairuan, became an instant hit all across mainland China and received numerous awards around Asia. But his real breakthrough in the Chinese mainland and in his native Taiwan came only in 1998 after the release of his subsequent album Love Like Pacific Ocean.

Warm-hearted daredevil

Richie has released more than a dozen records over the past two decades. (Image: CRI)The 42-year-old artist is married to Tina Chen, whom he met while still in school. After the birth of their first child in 2005, Ren left Rock Records and joined EMI Music.

Today, Richie has cemented his status as an enduring fixture of the Chinese entertainment industry. He continues to make records, and has also continued his venture into film and advertising. He has appeared in over a dozen movies and eight television series since 1991. This year, he and his wife Tina also welcomed their second child.

Richie has thousands of fans across Asia, who collectively call themselves the Xiao Qi Family. His most enthusiastic fans have set up official fan clubs in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. And to the delight of his fans, the sympathetic artist can often be seen attending the clubs' annual gatherings all around Asia. He has also been known to sometimes take part in other small-scale activities organized by the fan clubs

Richie describes himself as a humble, sincere and responsible person. His special skills include playing the guitar, flute and harmonica. In his free time he likes to listen to reggae and rap music.

As for indulgences, Richie says he loves watches, and has at least fifty of them. And, in order to satisfy the thrill-seeking daredevil in him, he also has five cars and motorcycles waiting for him in his garage in Taiwan.