Zhou Xun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zhou Xun
周迅
Zhou Xun in 2014
Born	Zhou Mika (周米卡) (1974-10-18) 18 October 1974 (age 50) Quzhou, Zhejiang, China
Alma mater	Zhejiang Art School (Zhejiang Vocational Academy of Art)
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1991–present
Agent	Beijing Rosat (1999–2005) Huayi Brothers (2005–2010) Zhou Xun Studio (2010–present) Dongshen Future K·ARTISTS (2018–present)
Spouse(s)	Archie Kao ​ ​ (m. 2014; div. 2020)​
Zhou Xun
Chinese	周迅
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhōu Xùn Yue: Cantonese Jyutping Zau1 Seon3
Zhou Mika (birth name)
Chinese	周米卡
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhōu Mǐkǎ

Zhou Xun (Chinese: 周迅, born on October 18, 1974) is a famous Chinese actress and singer. She is known as one of the "Four Dan Actresses" of China, which means she's considered one of the top actresses of her generation.

Zhou Xun has starred in many popular films and TV shows. Some of her well-known movies include Suzhou River (2000), Perhaps Love (2005), and Painted Skin (2008). On TV, she's been in Palace of Desire (2000) and Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (2018).

In 2009, Zhou Xun made history by becoming the first Chinese actor to win the "Grand Slam." This means she won the Best Actress award at the three biggest Chinese film awards: the Golden Horse Awards, the Hong Kong Film Awards, and the Golden Rooster Awards.

Early Life and Start

Zhou Xun grew up in Quzhou, Zhejiang, China. Her dad was a film projectionist, and her mom worked in a department store. Even though her parents wanted her to go to a regular university, Zhou Xun chose to study dramatic arts at the Zhejiang Arts Institute. She was even picked for a movie role, Strange Tales Amongst Old and Desolate Tombs, when she was still a teenager in school!

Acting Journey

First Steps in Acting (1995–2004)

Zhou Xun started her acting career in the comedy movie The Pampered Wife in 1995. She then appeared in films by famous director Chen Kaige, like Temptress Moon (1996).

Her big break came in 2000 with the historical TV drama Palace of Desire. She played the young Princess Taiping and won awards for her performance. That same year, she became recognized as one of the "Four Dan Actresses" alongside other big stars like Zhang Ziyi.

Zhou Xun also gained international attention for her role in the French-Chinese movie Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2002). Critics praised her acting, with Variety magazine saying she was "superb" in her first Hong Kong film, Hollywood Hong Kong.

Becoming a Top Star (2005–2011)

Zhou Xun continued to shine in many successful projects. She starred in the action film The Banquet (2006), which was inspired by William Shakespeare's Hamlet. In 2007, she played two different twin sisters in the film Ming Ming, showing off her acting skills.

In 2008, she received many awards for her role as Li Mi, a taxi driver looking for her missing boyfriend, in the movie The Equation of Love and Death. She also appeared in the popular horror-adventure film Painted Skin (2008) and the spy thriller The Message (2009).

Because of her amazing work, CNN even named Zhou Xun one of Asia's 25 greatest actors of all time!

New Adventures: Directing and Hollywood (2012–Present)

In 2011, Zhou Xun tried something new: she directed her first short film called Five Demon Traps.

She also made her Hollywood debut in the science fiction film Cloud Atlas (2012), where she played several different characters. The same year, she starred in Painted Skin: The Resurrection, a sequel to her earlier hit, which became one of the highest-grossing Chinese movies at the time.

In 2014, Zhou Xun returned to TV after 10 years with the series Red Sorghum. Her performance was highly praised, and she won Best Actress awards for it. Later, she played a leading role in the historical drama Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (2018), which was very popular.

More recently, she has starred in films like Our Time Will Come (2017) and Across the Furious Sea (2023), and TV series such as Imperfect Love (2020) and A Little Mood for Love (2021). She even played Nobel Prize winner Tu Youyou in the biographical drama Medal of the Republic (2021), a role that Tu Youyou's daughter suggested Zhou Xun for!

In 2024, Zhou Xun was chosen to be a judge for the main competition at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Helping the Planet

Zhou Xun was named one of the 'Champions of the Earth' for her work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Earth Day in 2010. She was the first entertainer in the world to receive this honor.

Zhou Xun at the Shanghai International Film Festival in 2007

Zhou Xun is also very active in helping the environment. In 2008, she became the first United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador for China. Her main goal is to promote environmental sustainability, which means living in a way that protects the planet for future generations.

She runs a campaign called 'Our Part' that shares tips for living a "green" life. In 2010, she received the 'Champions of the Earth' award from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This made her the first entertainer in the world to get this special honor for her environmental work.

Fashion Icon

Zhou Xun is also a big name in the fashion world. She has been a global spokesperson for many famous brands like Miu Miu and Chanel. Chanel's chief designer, Karl Lagerfeld, even said she had a very strong fashion sense!

She has also worked with luxury watch brands like Lancel and IWC Schaffhausen, and skincare brands like Olay and Decorté. Zhou Xun has appeared on the covers of many top fashion magazines, including Vogue China and Harper's Bazaar.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Short films

Voiced films

As director

Music Albums

Images for kids

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  Zhou Xun in 2014

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  Zhou Xun was named one of the 'Champions of the Earth' for her work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Earth Day in 2010. She was the first entertainer in the world to receive this honor.

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  Zhou Xun at the Shanghai International Film Festival in 2007

See also

In Spanish: Zhou Xun para niños