Maggie Q facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maggie Q
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![]() Q in 2010
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Born |
Margaret Denise Quigley
May 22, 1979 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
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Other names | Maggie D. Quigley |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1998–present |
Margaret Denise Quigley (born May 22, 1979), known professionally as Maggie Q, is an American actress and model.
She started her acting career in Hong Kong, starring in action movies like Gen-Y Cops (2000) and Naked Weapon (2002). Later, she became famous in American films such as Mission: Impossible III (2006), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and The Protégé (2021). She also played Tori Wu in the popular Divergent movie series (2014–2016).
On TV, Maggie Q was the main star in the action-thriller series Nikita (2010–2013). She also had a big role as FBI Special Agent Hannah Wells in the political thriller series Designated Survivor (2016–2019). She even lent her voice to Wonder Woman in the animated show Young Justice (2012–2019).
Contents
Early Life and School
Maggie Q was born and grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her father has Irish and Polish roots, and her mother is from Vietnam. Her parents met when her father was in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Maggie Q has four brothers and sisters and was raised Catholic.
She went to Mililani Waena Elementary School and Wheeler Intermediate School. For high school, she attended Mililani High School. There, she was very active in sports, joining the cross country, track and field, and swim teams. She was even voted "Best Body" in her senior year and finished high school in 1997. She earned a scholarship for sports to study veterinary science, but her family couldn't help with the costs. So, she left Hawaii to earn money, hoping to go back to school later.
Career Journey
Starting in Hong Kong (1996–2005)
When she was 17, Maggie Q started modeling in Tokyo, Japan, after a friend suggested it. She then tried modeling in Taipei, Taiwan, but it didn't work out. She found success in Hong Kong, where she began using the stage name Maggie Q because her full last name, Quigley, was hard for locals to say. She remembers it was tough at first, saying she had very little money and didn't speak the language well.
In Hong Kong, she met famous action star Jackie Chan. He saw her potential as an action star and trained her intensely. This training taught her how important it was to be professional and to do her own stunts. She once said she had never done any martial arts before starting in the business.
In 1998, she began acting in the TV show House of the Dragon, which was very popular in Asia. Her first movie role was in 2000 in the horror film Model from Hell. That same year, she starred as FBI agent Jane Quigley in the action movie Gen-Y Cops. Jackie Chan was so impressed that he cast her in his films Manhattan Midnight and Rush Hour 2.
In 2005, she co-produced a documentary about animal treatment called Earthlings.
Hollywood and Nikita (2006–2013)

Maggie Q became well-known in Hollywood in 2006 when she co-starred with Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III. She played Zhen, the only female member of the IMF team. In 2007, she appeared in the Bruce Willis movie Live Free or Die Hard and the comedy Balls of Fury.
In 2008, she played Cao Ying in the Chinese historical film Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon. She also appeared in the thriller Deception with Ewan McGregor and Hugh Jackman. She even played a federal agent named Chase Linh in the video game Need for Speed: Undercover.
In 2010, Maggie Q took on the main role in The CW series Nikita. This show was based on a French film from 1990. She received many good reviews for her performance in Nikita. Her character was even called one of "TV's Toughest Ladies" by TV Guide.
Recent Projects (2014–Present)
In 2014, Maggie Q played Tori Wu, a member of the Dauntless group, in the movie Divergent. She returned for the sequels, The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015) and The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016).
She also starred as Detective Beth Davis in the CBS drama series Stalker, which started in 2014. In 2016, she joined the ABC drama series Designated Survivor as Hannah Wells, a leading FBI agent. The show later moved to Netflix for its final season.
In 2021, Maggie Q starred as an assassin named Anna in the action film The Protégé, alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton. In 2024, it was announced that she would play Homicide Detective Renée Ballard in a new TV series based on Michael Connelly's books. She will investigate old cases with the help of Harry Bosch.
Personal Life
Maggie Q was engaged to her Stalker co-star Dylan McDermott in 2015, but they ended their relationship in 2019.
She has five tattoos, including a cross, Tibetan writing, and a phoenix. In 2010, she temporarily lost hearing in her right ear because of an explosive stunt.
Helping Animals
Maggie Q is a strong supporter of animal rights. She has worked with PETA Asia to encourage people to eat less meat. She has been a vegetarian for many years and says it was one of the best choices she ever made. She feels better and has more energy. In 2008, PETA Asia-Pacific named her their Person of the Year. She has since become a vegan, meaning she doesn't eat any animal products. She is also an ambassador for Animals Asia Foundation.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2000 | Model from Hell | Anna | |
Gen-Y Cops | Jane Quigley | ||
2001 | Manhattan Midnight | Susan / Hope | |
Rush Hour 2 | Girl in car | ||
2002 | Naked Weapon | Charlene Ching | |
2003 | The Trouble-Makers | Miss Clary | |
2004 | Magic Kitchen | May | |
Around the World in 80 Days | Female agent | ||
Rice Rhapsody | Gigi | ||
2005 | Taped | Maggie | Short film |
Dragon Squad | Yuet | ||
2006 | Mission: Impossible III | Zhen Lei | |
2007 | The Counting House | Jade | |
Live Free or Die Hard | Mai Linh | ||
Balls of Fury | Maggie Wong | ||
2008 | Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon | Cao Ying | |
Deception | Tina | ||
New York, I Love You | Janice Taylor | Segment: "Yvan Attal" | |
2009 | The Warrior and the Wolf | Harran woman | |
2010 | Operation: Endgame | High Priestess | |
The King of Fighters | Mai Shiranui | ||
2011 | Priest | Priestess | |
2014 | Divergent | Tori Wu | |
Unity | Narrator | Documentary | |
2015 | The Divergent Series: Insurgent | Tori Wu | |
2016 | The Divergent Series: Allegiant | ||
2017 | The Crash | Hilary | |
Slumber | Alice | ||
2018 | The Con Is On | Irina | |
Modest Heroes | Mom (voice) | Segment: "Life Ain't Gonna Lose" | |
2020 | Fantasy Island | Gwen Olsen | |
The Argument | Sarah | ||
Death of Me | Christine | ||
2021 | The Protégé | Anna | |
2023 | Fear the Night | Tess | |
The Family Plan | Gwen |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2002 | Mission in Trouble | Yeung Lan | Main role |
2005 | House of Harmony | Harmony | Television film |
2010–13 | Nikita | Nikita Mears | Lead role |
2012–19 | Young Justice | Wonder Woman (voice) | Recurring role |
2014–15 | Stalker | Beth Davis / Michelle Webber | Lead role |
2016–19 | Designated Survivor | Hannah Wells | Main role |
2022 | Pivoting | Sarah | Main role |
Awards and Nominations
Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
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2007 | Asian Excellence Awards | Supporting Film Actress | Mission: Impossible III | Won |
2009 | Hawaii International Film Festival | Maverick Award | The Warrior and the Wolf | Won |
2010 | IGN Summer Movie Awards | Best TV Hero | Nikita | Nominated |
2011 | Nominated | |||
Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress: Action | Nominated | ||
2012 | IGN Summer Movie Awards | Best TV Hero | Nominated | |
Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress: Action | Nominated | ||
2013 | TV Guide Awards | Best Ensemble | Nominated | |
Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress: Action | Nominated | ||
2014 | Young Hollywood Awards | Best Cast Chemistry – Film | Divergent | Nominated |
2021 | Golden Raspberry Awards | Worst Supporting Actress | Fantasy Island | Nominated |
2022 | Critics' Choice Super Awards | Best Actress in an Action Movie | The Protégé | Nominated |
See also
In Spanish: Maggie Q para niños