In 1935, he moved to Shanghai and joined left-wing drama troupe, Society of Shanghai Amateur Actors, and appeared in several productions from Star Motion Picture Company such as The Qingming Festival, Lucky Money, and Street Angel (uncredited).

[3] After the Second Sino-Japanese War, Xie joined Shanghai Film Actors' Drama Troupe.

In the late 1940s, he worked for Central Motion Picture Company, appearing in films such as The Holy City, Pursuit, and Fragrance Fills up the Courtyard.

[3] In 1949, Xie joined Beijing Film Studio and appeared in films as the villain in New Heroes and Heroines, Professor Song in March of the Democratic Youth, and title character Mr. Lin in The Lin Family Shop which was well received.

[3] After the Cultural Revolution, Xie resumed his career in the 1980s, directing films more centered on recent historical events such as Red Heart and Sweet Business.