Zhang Ziyi

Lore & Background

Zhang Ziyi was born in Beijing to Zhang Yuanxiao, an accountant and later economist, and Li Zhousheng, a kindergarten teacher. She began studying folk dance at age 8 and joined the Affiliated Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy at 11. In 1996, she entered the Central Academy of Drama, majoring in acting. Her breakout role came in Zhang Yimou's The Road Home (1999), winning Best Actress at the 23rd Hundred Flowers Awards. She rose to international fame with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), playing a young Manchu noblewoman who becomes a wandering swordswoman.

Reader's Guide

Zhang Ziyi's significance lies in her ability to bridge Chinese cinema and Hollywood, earning recognition as one of the most recognisable Asian actresses worldwide. Her collaborations with directors Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee, and Wong Kar-wai produced critically acclaimed films such as Hero (2002), House of Flying Daggers (2004), and The Grandmaster (2013), for which she received 12 Best Actress awards, the most for a single film by a Chinese actress. She was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2005 and received the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2013. Her career reflects a shift from wuxia epics to diverse roles, including a villain in Rush Hour 2 (2001) and a geisha in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), despite controversy in China over the latter. She ranked in the Top 5 of Forbes China Celebrity 100 list from 2004 to 2010 and was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Chinese Cinema award at the 11th Shanghai International Film Festival in 2008.

Did You Know?

• Zhang Ziyi began studying folk dance at age 8 and won a performance award in the National Taoli Cup Dance Competition in 1994.
• She was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2005.
• For her role in The Grandmaster (2013), she received 12 Best Actress awards, the most for a single film by a Chinese actress.
• She was awarded the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres as a Chevalier in 2013.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Zhang Ziyi (9 February 1979 - ), sometimes credited as Ziyi Zhang, is a Chinese actress and model. She is considered one of the Four Dan Actresses of China." — Zhang Ziyi "As quoted in Interview magazine (July 2006)." — Zhang Ziyi