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Ziyi Zhang Profile |
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Birth Date: February 9, 1979
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Birth Place: Beijing, China
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Birth Name: Zhang Zi-Yi
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Height: 5'5"
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Biography |
Zhang Ziyi was born on February 9, 1979, in Beijing, China,
and is the daughter of an economist father and a
kindergarten teacher. Raised with her older brother in an
urban, working-class part of Beijing, Zhang was originally
interested in dance and gymnastics.
Her entry into the dance world came when she was 11, as she
was accepted to a secondary school affiliated with Beijing
Dancing College. During the four years that she was trained
in dance, she managed to pick up some awards, including one
at the National Young Dancer competition.
But even though a career in dance seemed promising for the
graceful Zhang, she became frustrated with the art by the
time she was 15, and opted to become an actress instead.
She therefore enrolled in the Central Drama Academy in
Beijing, where she received her dramatic training. Zhang
Ziyi's calling was answered when she least expected it: she
auditioned for a shampoo commercial, directed by Zhang Yimou
(one of China's most renowned directors). The director of
many successful films, including Raise the Red Lantern,
Zhang Yimou used the commercial as a way to audition
actresses for his upcoming film.
Zhang Yimou knew that Zhang Ziyi was the perfect choice for
the part of a young, rural schoolgirl in love with a
schoolteacher, and she was cast in the lead role of 1999's
The Road Home (also known as Wo de fu qim mu qin). Since
Zhang Ziyi was unknown at the time of the film's release, it
was later rereleased by Sony Picture Classics, thanks to her
flourishing success.
When The Road Home was released in China, Zhang Ziyi was
given the nickname "Little Gong Li," in reference to the
mega-popular Asian actress, Gong Li. While this may sound
flattering, the nickname is not intended to refer to Zhang
Ziyi's potential as the next Gong Li; rather, it refers to
the alleged affair that Zhang Ziyi had with director Zhang
Yimou. Gong Li was once considered the director's muse and
mistress, but they broke up in 1994. Both Zhang Ziyi and
Zhang Yimou have denied the affair.
The Road Home won the "Jury Grand Prix" Silver Bear at the
2000 Berlin Film Festival.
When Ang Lee was casting actors for his martial arts marvel,
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (a.k.a. Wo hu cang long), he
had famous Taiwanese actress Shu Qi in mind for the role of
butt-kicking aristocrat Jen Yu. But after seeing Zhang
Ziyi's performance in The Road Home, he knew she was the one
for the role -- and she probably only exceeded Lee's
expectations.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon became one of the biggest
hits of 2000 (and the most popular foreign film in U.S.
history at the time), and went on to earn a roaring $130
million at the box office and four Academy Awards, among the
long list of other awards it won.
The film's success ensured that Zhang Ziyi would become a
familiar face to filmgoers, as the high-flying, graceful
martial artist who shares fight scenes with Michelle Yeoh
and Chow Yun Fat, and has sex with Chang Chen in the Gobi
Desert.
Her role garnered her the Toronto Film Critics Association
Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2000, as well as the
MTV Movie Award for Best Fight Scene in 2001. She was also
one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the
World in 2001.
Zhang Ziyi was cast to play the villain in the summer 2001
sequel to the successful comedy Rush Hour, appearing
opposite the comedy duo Chris Tucker and martial arts master
Jackie Chan. She was cast in the film without knowing a word
of English, and despite having taken English lessons, she
speaks strictly Chinese in the film (with subtitles).
Since then, the roles have been pouring in, most notably in
hits like Hero (2002) and House of Flying Daggers (2004).
After 2004's Jasmine Women (a.k.a. Mo li hua kai), Zhang
Ziyi starred in the 2005 musical feature, Operetta tanuki
goten. She is keeping busy in 2005 with roles in Memoirs of
a Geisha and Good Cook, Likes Music. |
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Other
Information |
Was ranked 2nd of the 100 Sexiest Women by FHM Taiwan
(2001).
Was named one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by Teen
People Magazine (2001).
Was named one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by Teen
People Magazine (2002).
Voted in at #100 in FHM's Sexiest 100 Girls of 2002, UK
edition. [June 2002]
Her first appearance in an American movie was in Rush Hour 2
(2001), but as she didn't speak English, Jackie Chan had to
translate everything the director said to her. In that
movie, her character's name, "Hu Li" translated from
Mandarin Chinese is "Fox".
Even though she has been in many kung-fu movies, she is not
actually a trained martial artist, so in fact she uses many
dance moves in her fight sequences.
Attended the China Central Drama College, studying Dance.
Former spokesmodel for Tag Heuer watches.
Spokesmodel of Maybelline (cosmetics).
Former Spokesmodel of 2% (Korean mineral water).
Spokesmodel of Pantene shampoo.
Spokesperson for Coca-Cola (Asia)
Former spokesperson for Lenovo Computers.
Family includes: Li Zhousheng (mom), Zhang Yuanxiao (dad) &
Zhang Zinan (older brother)
Forbes magazine's China edition recently ranked her the
second most popular celebrity after NBA player 'Yao Ming' .
[August 2004]
[September 2004] Taking lessons to improve her English.
Her father is an economist and her mother is a kindergarten
teacher.
Ranked #91 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women In The
World" (2002)
Born on the same day as actress Vicki Abashkin
Joined the Beijing Dance College at 11 & the Beijing Dance
Academy at 15.
Is one of 112 invitees to join AMPAS in 2005.
Named by Entertainment Weekly in their 'The Must List' 2005.
Listed 38th out of the 122 people and things the magazine
"loves" this year, Ziyi was the only Chinese to be included.
Selected by "Southern People Weekly" magazine as 'Chinese
Top Ten Leaders Of The Younger Generation' in 2005.
Listed in People Magazine's '50 Most Beautiful People' List
in 2005.
Was listed in "Time Magazines" World's 100 Most Influential
People. They called her "China's Gift to Hollywood".
Was ranked one of the '100 Most Beautiful Women in the
World' in the July 2005 issue of Harpers & Queen magazine.
It was her first time on the list. She was ranked number 15.
Graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy
Born on exactly the same day as Mena Suvari.
Was included in People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People
in the World the second year in a row in 2006. This is now
her third appearance on the list.
Was voted in at #86 in FHM's sexiest women in the world in
2006. She had not appeared in the list since 2002.
Was a member of the jury at the 2006 Cannes Festival. |
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