Casting call

Xue Haowen, an actor who once worked with Kos-Read, says the American is very dedicated.

"He usually recited the lines one month before shooting and succeeded on the first attempt," Xue says.

"If he made a mistake, he would be more worried than the director."

Kos-Read says he doesn't feel any cultural conflicts after living in China for 15 years. He says he has not only adapted to, but also has adopted, Chinese ways of doing business.

"In China there's a lot more consultation," he says.

"It is quite common to put off deadlines for two or three days. Sometimes, I'll also ask others to change the schedule."

Kos-Read believes he's in the right place at the right time.

"It is cool to be in China right now, and it is cool to be in the movie industry, which is growing fast," he says.

"The work with Chinese people, showing China to the world, is fun and interesting and valuable."

The way Kos-Read met his wife, Beijing native Li Zhiyin, is far less romantic than the love stories he portrays onscreen. They met on a blind date arranged by friends in 1998, when Li was still in college.

The couple recently had their second child.

Li has helped the American learn about her language and culture, and even gave up her career to support him.

"If I didn't have my wife, I would fall apart," Kos-Read says.

Their family dynamic is typically Chinese.

"I earn the money and don't even touch it," Kos-Read says.

"It goes straight to my wife."

He has to "apply" when he needs cash.

"He spends most of his free time reading, writing and hanging out with friends and family," Li says.

Feng Wei, who has been Kos-Read's friend for more than a decade, says that while he's an actor onscreen, he's candid in real life.

"He's straightforward," Feng says.

"He is a simple man, and you can tell his emotions by his expressions. When he is with friends, he never sees himself as an outsider. He is always ready to offer help and tell the truth - whether you like it or not."

Kos-Read is writing a murder mystery novel set in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) about a palace eunuch-turned-detective.

His next film project is a Hollywood production about monsters shot in Hubei province's Shennongjia National Nature Reserve.

Kos-Read hopes to become a filmmaker because he realizes he can rarely lead in a Chinese TV series.

"Then, I can create TV shows or movies that I think are good, put actors I think are good in them, have them be directed by directors I think are good and always have a supporting actor, who is a foreigner," he says.

Contact the writer at chenyingqun@chinadaily.com.cn.