Zhang Ziyi

Zhang was born in Beijing, China on February 9, 1979. Her father was an accountant and economist, while her mother was a kindergarten teacher. She also has an older brother who later became her manager.

While studying at the Beijing Dance Academy, Zhang Ziyi began her acting career by appearing in television commercials, showcasing her talent and versatility.

Zhang Ziyi rose to fame after appearing in the 1999 movie The Road Home directed by Zhang Yimou.

Zhang Ziyi starred as the main character in director Ang Lee's breakout hit, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The film was highly influential in Chinese cinema and propelled Zhang to international fame.

In 2001, Zhang Ziyi made her Hollywood debut in the superhit action-comedy Rush Hour 2 alongside Jackie Chan. She portrayed the role of Hu Li, a Triad assassin and enforcer, despite facing language barriers.

Zhang had another international hit with the Zhang Yimou-directed film Ying xiong (2002; Hero), which told the story of the first emperor of China.

Zhang Ziyi signed on to film the avant-garde drama film Purple Butterfly, which competed in the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.

In 2004, Zhang Ziyi attended a charity gala where she met Eric Fok, the second son of late Hong Kong tycoon Henry Fok and actress Loletta Chu.

Zhang Ziyi accepted an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), allowing her to vote on the Academy Awards.

Zhang Ziyi and Eric Fok made headlines after being photographed kissing in public. However, the Fok family did not approve of Ziyi as a daughter-in-law due to her refusal to leave showbiz, leading to their split in 2006.

In 2007, Zhang Ziyi became a Hong Kong resident under the city’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, making her the third mainland entertainer to attain residentship. The programme aimed to attract mainlanders with special talents and skills to become Hong Kong’s permanent residents.

Zhang Ziyi participated in running a leg of the Olympic route with the Torch leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This event garnered significant attention and showcased her involvement in the prestigious sporting event.

Zhang Ziyi's directorial work in My Country, My Parents was critically acclaimed and won awards, further solidifying her reputation in the entertainment field.

Zhang was honored as the 'Actress of the Decade' by CineAsia in 2010, recognizing her remarkable contributions to the film industry.

In 2011, Zhang Ziyi was appointed as the Special Olympics Global Ambassador, where she actively supported the rights of individuals with disabilities and promoted the values of inclusivity and acceptance.

In 2012, a Chinese website falsely reported that Zhang Ziyi was involved with a Chinese official in exchange for USD 100 million, leading to a defamation case.

Zhang Ziyi received 12 different Best Actress awards for her performance in The Grandmaster, making her the most awarded Chinese actress for a single film.

In 2014, Zhang starred in John Woo's romantic epic The Crossing, based on a true story set in 1930s Taiwan and Shanghai.

During Zhang Ziyi's 36th birthday party in 2015, Wang Feng proposed to her. They later got married in the same year.

In December 2015, Wang Feng and Zhang Ziyi welcomed their daughter, Xing Xing.

In 2016, Zhang Ziyi was cast in J. J. Abrams's science fiction thriller The Cloverfield Paradox.

In 2017, Zhang Ziyi was cast in the monster film Godzilla: King of the Monsters, playing a prominent character.

In 2018, Zhang was cast as an engineer aboard a space station in the third installment of the Cloverfield horror series, 'The Cloverfield Paradox'.

Zhang Ziyi starred in the 2019 film The Climbers.

On New Year's Day 2020, Zhang Ziyi gave birth to their second child, a son.

Chinese stars Zhang Ziyi, 44, and Wang Feng, 52, announced their divorce on October 23. The news surprised many as the couple seemed to have a happy marriage for the past eight years.

Zhang received the Best Director accolade at the 2022 Macau International Movie Festival for her exceptional work on the film My Country, My Parents.

On March 27, 2024, Zhang Ziyi, the Chinese actress, replied to a netizen who suggested she needed young actors to enhance her new film. She responded assertively to the comment.