About AJ Donnelly- Actor and Voice artist

Actor and voice artist-Aged 8

AJ Donnelly, aged 9, preparing for a performance in Bedford, UK

AJ Donnelly is a British actor and voice artist. Born in Bedford, England, AJ has worked in professional TV, film, theatre productions and commercials for more than a decade. Often working in the Chinese market, in 2021, he was chosen by directors Zhang Yimou and Zhang Mo to play southern US Army officer Captain Williams in the movie ‘Ju Ji Shou’ (Snipers), which was released in Chinese cinemas on February 1st 2022.

While commonly seen in dramatic roles, most recently taking the role of British loan shark Andrew Williams in 1850s Guangzhou in ‘The 13 Hongs of Canton’, AJ’s passion is for comedic roles. He performed for the first time at the age of 7, and appeared in multiple productions throughout his childhood, both at school and with various drama clubs, continuing into early adulthood when he joined local amateur theatre group the Bedford Marionettes, where he developed his skills in physical comedy.

Having been involved in theatre throughout his entire childhood and teen years, in 1999 AJ took a break from acting, returning to the stage in 2011 with amateur theatre group Beijing Playhouse’s production of the comedy ‘Love, Sex and the IRS’, playing the lead role of Leslie Arthur, and then in the Christmas panto ‘Cinderella’, playing Cinderella’s father, The Baron. After spending several years focusing on theatre in Beijing, in 2013 he landed a small role in the Chinese TV drama ‘Rong Hong’, which reignited his interest in on-camera acting.

He has had roles in many Chinese film and TV productions over the past few years, including ‘Wild Cards’ (2016), ‘Sky Hunters’ (2018) and ‘The Legend of Kunlun’ (2018), playing a lead role opposite Taiwanese stars Anthony Bao and Winston Chao. He also returned to the stage in 2016 and 2017, as the first foreigner to star in a Chinese play at the Beijing Capital Theatre, playing Mr. Sattel in the drama ‘Paifang’, directed by Yang Lixin.

Aside from acting, AJ also works as a voice artist, creating audio materials for educational institutes in China, the UK and Singapore, and doing movie narration and dubbing in Chinese productions such as The 800, The Foreigner, Defiance and Chasing the Dragon.

IMDb Mini Biography – Updated Feb 2022

Read AJ’s full bio (as of Feb 2022) here!

AJ is currently seeking representation in the UK and US. Please connect with him to discuss representation, cooperation, endorsement, sponsorship or media opportunities.

Essentials

Date of Birth:1st August, 1980
Place of Birth:Bedford, England
Weight:80KG
Height:189CM
Hair Colour:Grey/Silver
Spoken Languages:English (native)
Mandarin Chinese (conversational)

Sizes

HEAD57cmHIP116cmCALF45cm
COLLAR41cmSLEEVE71cmWAIST TO ANKLE110cm
SHOULDER61cmARM38cmWAIST TO CROTCH27cm
CHEST108cmWRIST20cmSHOULDER TO PALM73cm
WAIST107cmTHIGH70cmSHOES SIZE10/11

Filmography

Please click here for a downloadable version of AJ’s recent acting resume. For a downloadable pdf with AJ’s latest headshots, please click here. And for AJ’s latest performance comp card, click here!

Movies Click the links to be taken to the relative IMDb page or gallery

Movie NameCharacter NameDirectorProduction CompanyProduction YearRoleGallery
The Dumpling Queen
《水饺皇后》
Mr. CloswoodAndrew Lau
(刘伟强)
Alibaba Pictures Co., Ltd.2023Supporting
The Story of Dettol –
A Short Film

《滴露周年纪念短片》
Dr. DAo Shen (申奥)2023Lead 
Burning Star
《盗火者》
British Police OfficerXu Zhanxiong
(徐展雄)
Shanghai Three Dimensional Film Co., Ltd.2022Featured 
The Volunteers:
To the War

《志愿军:雄兵出击》
Omar Nelson BradleyChen Kaige (陈凯歌)China Film Co., Ltd.2022Supporting
Sharpshooter
(AKA Snipers)
《狙击手》
Captain WilliamsZhang Yimou
(张艺谋)
& Zhang Mo
(张末)
Beijing Enlight Media Co., Ltd.2021PrincipalLink
Chi
《气》
BeyazitWarwick Gilles
& Ye Kai
(叶开)
New Film Alliance Co., Ltd.2020Supporting
Southern Islands
《极南之地》
Big BossSun Chengzhi
(孙承志)
Beijing Lionfish Culture Media Co., Ltd.2017SupportingLink
Sky Hunter
《空天猎》
Terrorist #2Li Chen
(李晨)
Chunqiu Time Culture Co., Ltd.2017Featured –
Scorpion Task
《火蝎特战队》
Mercenary LeaderMeng Yu
(孟瑀)
Dongcheng Television; Shanghai Telemagic Film2016FeaturedLink
Wild Cards
《千门唐八将》
Jason FitzpatrickRichard H. PerryBeijing Haitian Wenji TV and Film Culture Co., Ltd.2016SupportingLink
The Ying River
《刀安仁》
General GrossMa Cheng
(马诚)
Kunming Huangzhong Nation Culture Communication Co., Ltd.2015SupportingLink
Iron Wing Reborn
《铁翼重生之枪林弹雨》
Lieutenant FoxLiu Chuanwei
(刘传伟)
2015SupportingLink

TV Shows Click the links to be taken to the relative IMDb page or gallery

Show NameCharacter NameDirectorProduction CompanyProduction
Year
RoleGallery
Hunting
《围猎》
AndyLi Shaohong
(李少紅)
Beijing iQiyi Technology Co., Ltd.2023Recurring
The Battle of Shangganling
《上甘岭》

Colonel TygerAndrew Lau
(刘伟强)
Youku and Bona Pictures2023Recurring
The Silicon Waves
《纵横芯海》
Investor 2Li Jun
(李骏)
SMG Shangshi Film2022Co-Star
One Heart in the World
《天下同心》
Alexander GranthamDong Yachun
(董亚春)
& Ma Yueqian
(马跃千)
Hunan Heguang Media Co., Ltd.2022Recurring
The 13 Hongs of Canton
《广州十三行》
Andrew WilliamsCao Dun
(曹盾)
IQiyi and Guangdong Caviar Culture Communication Co. LTD2021/22 Recurring
Across the Yalu River
《跨过鸭绿江》
General HodgeDong Yachun
(董亚春)
China Media Group2020Co-StarLink
Dream On This Side of the Sea
《梦在海这边》
AdamGong Chaohui
(龚朝晖)
Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation2019Co-Star
Chosen 2
《杀无赦2》
ExecutionerLi Chenkai
(李晨恺)
Beijing IQIYI Science & Technology Co., Ltd.2019Co-StarLink
Ivy Monsters
《藤科动物也凶猛》
Doctor RobertsonLi Jun
(李骏)
Beijing Huanya Meishi Culture Communication Co., Ltd.2019Co-Star –
Dance of the Storm
《风暴舞》
Weapons ExpertLiu Xin
(刘新)
Ciwen Media Co., Ltd.2018Co-Star –
The Legend of Kunlun
《昆仑归》
FremontLv Haojiji
(侣皓吉吉)
Hangzhou Newtiming Film and Television Investment Management Co., Ltd.2018Series Regular
Young Marshal
《少帅》
British JournalistZhang Li
(张黎)
Changying Group Co., Ltd.2014Co-Star

Commercials

BrandRoleProduction CompanyProduction Year
Boss HRShakespeare2021
RELXCopernicusRELX Technology2021
TencentHitmanTencent Productions2016
TencentDeathTencent Productions2015
Boss HRAngry Boss2015
TencentBoxerTencent Productions2014

Quotes

  • There is really little point spending time thinking about yesterday, or tomorrow. Neither exists, and you really can’t do much to change either. Life, like acting, only exists in the moment. That’s when everything happens. That’s where you have to be if you want to achieve anything.

AJ Donnelly 暗真 - Happy Headshot
  • All actors understand the importance of the word ‘action’ when onset. But what about when we aren’t on set, just in our everyday lives? Action is the key to success. If you want anything in this life, you have to take action to get it. It seems like a simple idea, but many people seem to forget it.
AJ Donnelly - Actor - Casual

Trivia

  • AJ’s favourite 3 movies are The Matrix, The Princess Bride, and (yes, really) White Chicks.
  • His favourite song of all time is ‘Let Me Entertain You’, by Robbie Williams. His favourite band is SClub7 (again, yes, really….).
  • According to the Western Zodiac, AJ is a Leo, which means he should be compassionate, big-hearted and a natural leader. All true!
  • He considers himself very introverted and shy, but everyone who ever meets him disagrees very quickly!
  • AJ is an avid gamer, and whenever he travels for work or pleasure, always carries his PS4 with him.