Chen Wei, born on November 8, 1964, in Nanjing, Hainan Wenchang, is the son of an engineer and a doctor. At a young age, he joined the Nanjing Little Red Flower Art Troupe and later studied badminton for four years at the Nanjing Institute of Physical Education, where he befriended national athlete Yang Yang. In 1985, he entered the Central Academy of Drama's acting department, alongside classmates Gong Li, Shi Ke, and Wu Yujuan. After graduating in '89, he was assigned to the Central Experimental Theatre and participated in the filming of TV series and films such as 'Happy Heroes in Yin and Yang World', 'Unforgettable High School Days', 'International Great Rescue', 'Fiery Steel', and 'Beiyang Navy'. In 1990, Chen Wei married his senior schoolmate Zhang Guangbei and they have a daughter together.