Diminutive entertainer who was born prematurely because his mother suffered malnutrition during pregnancy faces cruel remarks head-on
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenZoey ZhangPublished: 9:00am, 13 May 2026An actor in China nicknamed the “ageless man” because of a childhood condition which halted his growth has silenced detractors with his nuanced performances.
According to Beiqing.com, Hou Xiang, 40, from Beijing, was born prematurely after his mother suffered from malnutrition during pregnancy.
His growth and voice development stopped around the age of nine, leaving him less than 1.6 metres tall.
Even in adulthood, strangers often mistake Hou for a boy, asking his age or where he studies.
The exact diagnosis has not been made public, though mainland media described it as a lingering effect of premature birth or congenital developmental delay.
