Wei was born in
Shanghai on November 24, 1938, in the
Republic of China, with his
ancestral home in
Ningbo,
Zhejiang. After graduating from Shanghai Nanyang Model Junior High School () in 1955 he entered the Shanghai Turbine Plant () worked as a bench worker, and joined a drama team in that factory. Wei graduated from
Shanghai Theatre Academy in 1963, majoring in acting. After university, he was assigned to the Shanghai People's Art Theatre. In a very long time in the Shanghai People's Art Theatre, he acted insignificant roles vividly. When watching the sketch he acted,
Hou Baolin, a
xiangsheng artist, commented:"It is just perfect and leaves some leeway. Being insufficient is better than overdoing." ==Acting career==