The farewell ceremony for You Benchang's body was held in the morning at Babaoshan.
According to Chang’an Street News: According to the obituary released by the Funeral Committee for Comrade You Benchang of the China National Theatre, a farewell ceremony for Comrade You Benchang's body will be held at 10 a.m. on September 30 in the Lan Hall of Babaoshan Funeral Home.
The obituary shows that Comrade You Benchang, a member of the Communist Party of China, a well-known performing artist, an expert enjoying special government allowances from the State Council, a member of the China Theatre Association, and a first-class actor at the National Theatre of China, passed away in Beijing at 1:40 a.m. on September 24, 2026, at the age of 93.
The life of Comrade You Benchang
Comrade You Benchang, a member of the Communist Party of China, a first-class actor at the National Theatre of China, a member of the China Theatre Association, and a well-known performing artist, passed away in Beijing at 1:40 a.m. on September 24, 2026, at the age of 93.
Comrade You Benchang was born in September 1933, originally from Nanjing, Jiangsu. In August 1951, he joined the Nanjing City Art Work Troupe as an actor; in April 1952, he started working at the Shanghai East China People's Art Theatre as an actor; in September 1952, he studied at the East China Branch of the Central Academy of Drama; in September 1956, he joined the former Central Experimental Drama Theatre as an actor and retired in December 1996. He joined the Communist Party of China in May 2025.
Comrade You Benchang loves his country, has a firm political stance, and firmly supports the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. He earnestly implements the Party's guidelines, principles, and policies, studies diligently, strives for progress, and dedicates himself selflessly. He has devoted his entire life to the flourishing development of socialist literature and art, demonstrating a persistent pursuit of artistic ideals and a sincere heart toward the Party and the people. Throughout his long career in drama art creation, Comrade You Benchang has embraced the idea of serving the people wholeheartedly, possesses noble artistic ideal pursuits and solid foundational knowledge in drama creation, and has created numerous classic, vivid, and touching artistic works. He has successfully completed all tasks entrusted to him by organizations and made outstanding contributions to the prosperity and development of socialist literature and art. In works like 'Ji Gong,' Comrade You Benchang has created many artistic characters deeply loved by the people, and in 2024, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles at the 32nd China TV Golden Eagle Awards.
Comrade You Benchang has upheld lofty artistic ideals and cultural pursuits in both study and work. He loves the theater industry, has high artistic achievement, a solid foundation in creative theory, is dedicated to his job, and has devoted his full efforts to the prosperity and development of our country's socialist arts and culture. He demonstrates the excellent character of a Communist Party member and serves as a model and example for a wide range of art workers!