Biography

Mạnh Linh (born 6th April 1929 as Phạm Văn Lạng - ? ) is a Vietnamese actor, stage director and former director of Vietnam National Theatre. A renowned stage actor, he had worked in several troupes prior to 1945, upon which he joined the Revolution’s forces and operated the Bac Giang’s People Artistic Troupe. His promotion to the National Theatre in 1948 saw him become a full-time professional actor under the guidance of Thế Lữ, and soon he started starring in the Theatre’s major productions. He briefly worked in the Soviet Union, mostly taking on the lead roles in Leniniana plays by Mikhail Shatrov and Nikolai Pogodin; for his achievements during this stint, Mạnh Linh was awarded the Order of Lenin.