A still shows Chinese actor Yan Huaili's portrayal as the honest and devoted "Sha Wujing" (or "Sha Heshang", also known as "Sand Priest" in many English versions of the story), the third fictional disciple of Xuanzang (602-664), the most reverend Buddhist monk of Tang Dynasty.

73-year-old Yan Huaili, an acclaimed actor best known for the 1982's classic TV series "Journey to the West", died Sunday morning from lung complications.

The actor was rushed to a Beijing hospital when he experienced a high fever and respiratory distress on April 2. He reportedly returned to a stable condition but caught a high fever again and was in very critical condition by Sunday morning.

Sources reveal the senior actor died as a result of a lung infection Sunday morning at Beijing Shijitan hospital.

Yan Huaili played a wide variety of roles following his successful part in the adaptation of a classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West". He was well received for his portrayal as the honest and devoted "Sha Wujing" (or "Sha Heshang", also known as "Sand Priest" in many English versions of the story), the third fictional disciple of Xuanzang (602-664), the most reverend Buddhist monk of Tang Dynasty.

Undated group photo taken by the cast of 'Journey to the West', from left to right: Chi Chongrui, Ma Dehua, Yan Huaili and Liu Xiao Ling Tong. Senior actor Yan Huaili died as a result of a lung infection Sunday morning at Beijing Shijitan hospital, April 12, 2009. [sina.com.cn]

Other famous actors of "Journey to the West" who rushed to the hospital to see last their beloved company of the "journey" included Liu Xiao Ling Tong who played Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, Chi Chongrui who played the Tang dynasty monk Xuanzang and Ma Dehua who played Zhu Bajia, or the Pigsy.

The hit TV series, made in 1982, is broadcast almost each summer and winter holiday on local channels in China.

(CRI April 13, 2009)