Zhang's family was poor. His mother was a star in the opera of Hubei Province. She encouraged him to study Peking Opera. When Zhang was 13, Li Lingfeng adopted him as an apprentice. Recognizing Zhang's talent, Li later sent him to Wang Yaoqing, an opera star and Li's teacher. Zhang first appeared on the stage in 1935. In 1937, Zhang became an apprentice of Mei Lanfang, the best-known Chinese opera star of the time.
