Zhang Ziyi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zhang Ziyi
章子怡
Zhang at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in 2024
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 (born on February 9, 1979) is a famous Chinese actress. She is known for playing strong and independent characters in her films. Zhang was born and grew up in Beijing, China.

She started her acting journey in 1996. Her big break came with the film The Road Home in 1999. This role won her an award for Best Actress. She became internationally famous for her role in the martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2000.

Zhang also acted in Hollywood movies like Rush Hour 2 (2001) and Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). She worked with director Zhang Yimou again in Hero (2002) and House of Flying Daggers (2004). She also starred in The Grandmaster (2013), which earned her many awards.

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 that year.

Early Life and Training

Zhang Ziyi was born in Beijing. Her father was an accountant and her mother was a kindergarten teacher. She has an older brother named Zhang Zinan.

When she was 8 years old, Zhang began studying folk dance. At 11, she joined a special school for dance in Beijing. She won an award in a national dance competition in 1994. She also appeared in some TV commercials. In 1996, Zhang started studying acting at the Central Academy of Drama.

A Look at Her Acting Career

Starting Her Acting Journey (1996–2000)

Zhang's first acting role was in the TV film Touching Starlight during her first year of college. In 1998, she got her first big movie role in The Road Home, directed by Zhang Yimou. This film 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 for this role.

Becoming an International Star (2000–2006)

Zhang became famous worldwide in 2000 with her role as Yu Jiaolong in Ang Lee's martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. She played a young noblewoman who secretly learns martial arts. This role earned her several awards, and the movie's success helped her enter Hollywood.

Her first American film was Rush Hour 2 (2001), where she played a villain. Zhang enjoyed playing a different kind of character.

Zhang in 2011 at the amfAR 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration

In 2002, Zhang starred in Hero with Jet Li. This film was very popular and was nominated for an Oscar. She also appeared in the drama film Purple Butterfly (2003).

Zhang returned to martial arts films in House of Flying Daggers (2004). 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 performance earned her a nomination at the BAFTA Awards. She also sang a song for the film's soundtrack.

Next, Zhang starred in the romantic drama 2046 (2004). Critics praised her expressive acting in this film. She won Best Actress awards for her role.

In 2005, Zhang starred in Jasmine Women and Princess Raccoon. For Princess Raccoon, she took singing and dancing lessons in Japan.

Zhang then played the main role of Sayuri in the American film Memoirs of a Geisha. The film was very popular in Western countries. Zhang was nominated for several major awards for this role, including a Golden Globe.

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.

Zhang returned to China for the martial arts film The Banquet in 2006.

Hollywood and Chinese Films (2007–2012)

In 2007, Zhang provided the voice for Karai in the animated film TMNT. She also appeared in a humorous short film for the Chinese academy awards.

In Forever Enthralled (2008), Zhang played Meng Xiaodong, the lover of a famous Peking opera actor. Her performance was praised for its passion.

Her next American film was The Horsemen (2009). Back in China, she starred in the romantic comedy Sophie's Revenge (2009). She then acted in the film Love for Life (2011), which was about AIDS.

In 2012, Zhang starred in Dangerous Liaisons, a film set in 1930s Shanghai. She also filmed Forever Young, which was released in 2018.

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

Recent Work (2013–Present)

In 2013, Zhang received a special award from France for her contributions to film.

She reunited with director Wong Kar-wai and actor Tony Leung for The Grandmaster (2013). This film marked her return to martial arts movies. Critics called her performance in this film her best ever, and she won many "Best Actress" awards across Asia. She also reprised her role as Sophie in My Lucky Star, a comedy sequel that topped the Chinese box office.

In 2014, Zhang starred in John Woo's romantic film The Crossing. She played a poor woman waiting for her soldier lover.

In 2015, Zhang produced her third film, Oh My God, and made a small appearance in it. She also starred in Run for Love and The Wasted Times.

In 2018, Zhang appeared in the science fiction thriller The Cloverfield Paradox. In 2019, she starred in the monster film Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

Zhang made her debut in a television series called Rebel Princess in 2018. In 2019, she starred in the adventure film The Climbers.

In 2021, Zhang directed a short film called "Shi" (Poem), which was part of the movie My Country, My Parents. She won an award for best new director for this film in 2022.

Ambassador Roles and Endorsements

Zhang Ziyi has been a spokesperson and ambassador for many important causes and brands. She is a Global Ambassador for China's Special Olympics and for the Children of China Pediatrics Foundation. She has also been an ambassador for film festivals like the Beijing International Film Festival.

She was the first Chinese woman to be an ambassador for Emporio Armani. She has also represented major brands like Mercedes-Benz, Maybelline, Visa, and Chopard.

Personal Life

Zhang Ziyi has always been careful about the roles she chooses, especially in Hollywood. She once said she wanted to play deeper, more original characters, not just action roles.

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

Filmography

Movies

TV Shows

Reality Shows

Music Videos

Discography

Awards and Recognitions

Special Honors

In 2005, Time magazine included Zhang in its 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."

In 2010, CineAsia named her "Actress of the Decade."

In 2013, Zhang received a French cultural award called the Order of Arts and Letter.

Forbes China Celebrity 100 List

See also

In Spanish: Zhang Ziyi para niños