Comedian Zhaobenshan Remained in Stable Condition
By admin on 2014-12-22

Zhao Benshan, China's best known comedian, remained in stable condition Wednesday after undergoing an operation, media reports said.

He was hospitalized following a cerebral aneurysm rupture, an intracranial catastrophe associated with high morbidity and mortality, sources close to his doctors said. The 52-year-old Zhao, who was in Shanghai to promote his new sitcom, was rushed to a hospital in suburban Shanghai early Wednesday morning before being transferred to Huashan Hospital, showing symptoms similar to cerebral hemorrhage.

"There's a huge aneurysm in his brain which is very tricky," the source said. The hospital still needs to negotiate with his family members on how to deal with it, and now he had been given intensive care, she added.

A witness surnamed Luo said that Zhao complained about a swollen head and was sent to Huashan around noon on Wednesday.

"He looks terrible," Luo said.

His hospital ward was sealed off with security guards. His friends, fans and neighbors arrived at the hospital for visiting.

A native of Liaoning Province, Zhao is now a household-name comedy actor in China. He has been diversifying into fields of singing, sitcom directing and even business in recent years.

He is viewed as the godfather of er'renzhuan, a northeastern rustic type of entertainment that involves talk, singing, dancing and doing stunts with handkerchiefs or folding fans.

Zhao initially gained nationwide popularity at China Central Television's New Year Gala in 1987, and since has become a regular performer at the smorgasbord of various art forms that runs from 8 p.m. to midnight every Chinese New Year's Eve and has dominated TV screens in China.

In recent years, Zhao has complained that long hours in front of the camera bring him job-related exhaustion and made him feel uncomfortable.

He fell ill when the shooting of a TV drama made him too exhausted, Liu Shuangping, president of Benshan Media Group, a company founded by Zhao, said Wednesday evening.