Cheng Lei was a student in Shanghai Theater Academy in 1990s.
After graduation, he was chosen as a host for Broken Brain (智力大沖浪) by Shanghainese producer Xiao Chen.
[3] On January 18, 2004, he took a temporary leave from television though he said in a statement that he would take advanced courses abroad.
[2] In June 2007, he was sick once again but he re-appeared on a television show called Dating on Saturdays (相約星期六).
[3] He has hosted the British-imports China's Got Talent, Chinese Idol, and Top Gear.