Chinese actor Zhang Guoli .(Photo: Global Times)

The revelation that a 64-year-old actor had earned the title of national hero in the late 1980's has come as a surprise to his legions of fans after they discovered that he helped save one of China's early Antarctic scientific expeditions.

Zhang Guoli, who has 1.7 million followers on Sina Weibo, has been one of China's best-known actors and producers since the 1990s. 

In 1988, China decided to build a second research station - Zhongshan Station in Antarctica, four years after establishing the Great Wall Station, China's first research base in Antarctica. 

Zhang had joined the expedition to film a TV series when the ship became locked in the Antarctic ice, according to CCTV. 

With no way out and in serious danger of sinking, the expedition team decided to use explosives to blow up the ice, according to the report. Zhang risked his life to set the charges that freed the ship.  

Fearing the explosion might damage the vessel, the ship's helicopter was prepared to take off if the worst happened. "We put all valuable machines on the helicopter in case the ship sank." Zhang told CCTV.   

The Zhongshan Station was opened in February 1989 and Zhang was honored with China's top awards for his bravery after returning to China. 

"What a low-key hero and great actor. Actors were much tougher and more responsible then, than they are nowadays," said a netizen in comment that received many thumbs up.