Ziyi Zhang (birth name Zhang Zi-Yi) was born on February 9, 1979, in Beijing, China. She is a famous Chineese actress. Zhang Ziyi height 5' 5"/165 cm.
Biography and Career :
Zhang Ziyi 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 Ziyi 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, Zhang Ziyi managed to pick up some awards, including one at the National Young Dancer competition.
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. Zhang Ziyi enrolled in the Central Drama Academy in Beijing, where she received her dramatic training. Zhang's calling was answered when 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 he cast her in the lead role of 1999's The Road Home (also known as Wo de fu qim mu qin). The Road Home won the "Jury Grand Prix" Silver Bear at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival, and was later rereleased by Sony Picture Classics, thanks to Zhang's 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'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 Ziyi Zhang and Zhang Yimou have denied the affair.
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. 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. The film's success ensured that Zhang 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. Her role also 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.
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).
Roles have been pouring in for Zhang Ziyi, 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 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.
Trivia :
- Zhang Ziyi was ranked 2nd of the 100 Sexiest Women by FHM Taiwan (2001).
- Zhang Ziyi was named one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by Teen People Magazine (2001).
- Zhang Ziyi was named one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by Teen People Magazine (2002).
- Zhang Ziyi voted in at #100 in FHM's Sexiest 100 Girls of 2002, UK edition. [June 2002]
- Forbes magazine's China edition recently ranked her the second most popular celebrity after NBA player 'Yao Ming' . [August 2004]
- Zhang Ziyi ranked #91 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women In The World" (2002)
- Zhang Ziyi is one of 112 invitees to join AMPAS in 2005.
- Zhang Ziyi was 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.
- Zhang Ziyi selected by "Southern People Weekly" magazine as 'Chinese Top Ten Leaders Of The Younger Generation' in 2005.
- Zhang Ziyi was listed in People Magazine's '50 Most Beautiful People' List in 2005.
- Zhang Ziyi was listed in "Time Magazines" World's 100 Most Influential People. They called her "China's Gift to Hollywood".
- Zhang Ziyi 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.
- Zhang Ziyi 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.
- Zhang Ziyi was voted in at #86 in FHM's sexiest women in the world in 2006. She had not appeared in the list since 2002.
- Zhang Ziyi was a member of the jury at the 2006 Cannes Festival.
- She also had a couple of jobs as a spokesmodel for several agencies:
- Spokesmodel for Tag Heuer watches.
- Spokesmodel of Maybelline (cosmetics).
- Spokesmodel of 2% (Korean mineral water).
-Spokesmodel of Pantene shampoo.
- Spokesperson for Coca-Cola (Asia)
- Spokesperson for Lenovo Computers.
Filmography :
1. Ye yan (2006) (post-production) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Empress Wan
2. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) .... Chiyo/Sayuri
3. Operetta tanuki goten (2005) .... Tanukihime
... aka Princess Raccoon (Hong Kong: English title) (International: English title) (UK)
4. Mo li hua kai (2004) .... Young Mo/young Li/young Hua
... aka Blossoming Jasmine (literal English title)
... aka Jasmine Flower (International: English title)
... aka Jasmine Women (International: English title)
5. 2046 (2004) .... Bai Ling
6. Shi mian mai fu (2004) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Mei
... aka House of Flying Daggers (Hong Kong: English title) (International: English title) (Singapore: English title) (USA)
7. Jopog manura 2: Dolaon jeonseol (2003) (as Zhang Ziyi)
... aka My Wife Is a Gangster 2 (International: English title)
8. Zi hudie (2003) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Cynthia/Ding Hui
... aka Purple Butterfly (International: English title)
9. Ying xiong (2002) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Moon
... aka Hero (USA)
... aka Jet Li's Hero (USA)
... aka Quentin Tarantino Presents Hero (USA: promotional title)
10. Musa (2001) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Princess Bu-yong
... aka Musa the Warrior (Canada: English title)
... aka The Warriors (informal English title)
... aka Wu shi (China: Mandarin title)
11. Shu shan zheng zhuan (2001) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Joy
... aka The Legend of Zu (Hong Kong: English title)
... aka Zu Warriors (USA)
12. Rush Hour 2 (2001) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Hu Li
13. Wo hu cang long (2000) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Jen Yu (Mandarin version)/Jiao Long (English dubbed version)
... aka Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (International: English title) (UK) (USA)
... aka Ngo foo chong lung (Hong Kong: Cantonese title)
... aka Wo hu cang long (China: Mandarin title)
14. Wo de fu qin mu qin (1999) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Zhao Di, Young
... aka The Road Home (International: English title) (USA: DVD title)
... aka My Father and Mother (literal English title)
15. Xing xing dian deng (1996) (TV) (as Zhang Ziyi) .... Chen Wei
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