Zhang Ziyi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zhang Ziyi
章子怡
Zhang Ziyi
Born	(1979-02-09) 9 February 1979 (age 46) Beijing, China
Citizenship	Chinese (Hong Kong)
Alma mater	Central Academy of Drama
Occupation	Actress model dancer
Years active	1995–present
Political party	Zhi Gong
Spouse(s)	Wang Feng ​ ​ (m. 2015; div. 2023)​
Children	2
Relatives	Zhang Zinan (brother)
Modeling information
Height	5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Hair color	Black
Eye color	Brown
Agency	International Creative Management (ICM)
Chinese name
Chinese	章子怡
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhāng Zǐyí Wade–Giles Chang1 Tzŭ3-i2 IPA [ʈʂáŋ tsɹ̩̀.ǐ] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Jēung Jí-yìh IPA [tsœ́ːŋ tsǐː.jȉː] Jyutping Zoeng1 Zi2-ji4 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Chiong Chú-î

Zhang Ziyi ([ʈʂáŋ tsɹ̩̀.ǐ]; Chinese: 章子怡; born 9 February 1979) is a famous Chinese actress, model, and former dancer. She is known for playing strong and independent characters in her films. Zhang has won many awards for her acting.

Born and raised in Beijing, China, Zhang started her acting journey in 1996. Her big break came with the film The Road Home (1999). She became famous around the world for her role in the martial arts movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

Zhang made her first Hollywood movie, Rush Hour 2 (2001), with Jackie Chan. She also starred in other popular films like Hero (2002) and House of Flying Daggers (2004). For her role in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), she was nominated for major awards. Her performance in The Grandmaster (2013) earned her 12 Best Actress awards, making her the most awarded Chinese actress for a single film.

Zhang is considered one of China's top actresses. Time magazine called her "China's gift to Hollywood" in 2005. She was also named one of the 100 Most Influential People by Time that same year.

Early Life and Dance Training

Zhang Ziyi was born in Beijing, China, on February 9, 1979. Her father was an accountant, and her mother was a kindergarten teacher. She has an older brother.

Zhang started learning dance when she was 8 years old. At 11, she joined the Beijing Dance Academy. This was a boarding school where she lived away from home. She won the national youth dance championship when she was 15. Around this time, she also started appearing in TV commercials.

In 1996, at age 17, Zhang began studying acting at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing.

Acting Career Highlights

Early Roles and First Success

Zhang's first acting role was in the TV film Touching Starlight when she was 16. In 1998, director Zhang Yimou chose her for his film The Road Home. This movie won an award at the 2000 Berlin International Film Festival.

Zhang played a country girl who falls in love with a young teacher. She won the Best Actress Award at the 2000 Hundred Flowers Awards for her performance. This early success helped her become known as one of China's "Four Dan Actresses," a title for the most popular young actresses.

Becoming an International Star

Zhang became famous worldwide in 2000 with her role in Ang Lee's martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. She played Yu Jiaolong, a young noblewoman who secretly learns martial arts. The movie was very popular in the US and Europe. This helped Zhang start her career in Hollywood.

Her first American film was Rush Hour 2 (2001), where she played a villain. She enjoyed playing a bad character and exploring new emotions. In 2002, Zhang worked again with director Zhang Yimou in Hero. This film was a big hit and was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

Zhang returned to martial arts films with House of Flying Daggers (2004), also directed by Zhang Yimou. She played Mei, a blind dancing girl who is also a skilled fighter. To prepare, Zhang lived with a blind girl for two months. Her acting earned her a nomination at the BAFTA Awards. She also sang a song for the movie's soundtrack.

She then starred in the romantic drama 2046 (2004). For this film, Zhang won Best Actress awards at the Hong Kong Film Critics' Award and Hong Kong Film Academy Award.

Critically Acclaimed Performances

In 2005, Zhang starred in Jasmine Women, winning Best Actress at the Golden Rooster Awards. She also appeared in the Japanese film Princess Raccoon.

Zhang played the main character, Sayuri, in the American film Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). This movie was based on a very popular book. For this role, Zhang was nominated for a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.

In 2005, Zhang was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This means she can vote on the Academy Awards. In 2006, she was a jury member at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. She also starred in the Chinese film The Banquet (2006).

Later Career and Directorial Debut

In 2007, Zhang voiced the character Karai in the animated film TMNT. She also starred in the romantic comedy Sophie's Revenge (2009).

In 2013, Zhang received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for her important work in film. She reunited with director Wong Kar-wai for The Grandmaster (2013). Her performance as Gong'Er was highly praised by critics. She won many "Best Actress" awards across Asia for this role.

Zhang also starred in the romantic epic The Crossing (2014). In 2018, she appeared in the American science fiction film The Cloverfield Paradox. She also joined the cast of Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019).

In 2021, Zhang made her debut as a director with a short film called "Shi" (Poem). It was part of the movie My Country, My Parents. She won an award for best new director for her work.

Ambassador Roles

Zhang Ziyi has been an ambassador for many important causes and brands.

• She is a Global Ambassador for China's Special Olympics.
• She has been an Image Ambassador for the first Beijing International Film Festival.
• She is a Global Ambassador for the Children of China Pediatrics Foundation (CCPF).
• Zhang was the first Chinese woman to be an ambassador for Emporio Armani.
• She has also represented global brands like Maybelline, Visa, TAG Heuer, Omega SA, and Clé de Peau Beauté.
• Since 2019, she has been a global ambassador for Chopard.

Personal Life

Zhang Ziyi obtained Hong Kong residency in 2007. This was because of her contributions to the film industry there.

In May 2015, Zhang married Chinese rock musician Wang Feng. They have two children: a daughter born in December 2015 and a son born in January 2020. In October 2023, Zhang and Wang announced their divorce.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Series

Reality Shows

Music Videos

Discography

Awards and Recognitions

Zhang Ziyi has received many awards and honors throughout her career.

• In 2005, TIME magazine included her in their list of the World's 100 Most Influential People. They called her "China's Gift to Hollywood."
• In 2008, she received an award for "Outstanding Contribution to Chinese Cinema" at the 11th Shanghai International Film Festival.
• In 2010, CineAsia named her "Actress of the Decade."
• In 2013, she received the Order of Arts and Letter, a special French cultural award.

Images for kids

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  Ziyi in 2011 at the amfAR 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration

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  Zhang and Tony Leung at the premiere of The Grandmaster at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival