Zhang Ziyi Profile
Name: Zhang Ziyi (Ziyi Zhang, Zhang Zi Yi)
Chinese name: 章子怡
Birthdate: February 9, 1979
Birth place: Beijing, China
Height: 164 cm
Blood type: O
Religion: Buddism
Family: Parents and an elder brother
Profession: Actress
[Join Asia Entertainment Forum for more Zhang Ziyi discussions]
Zhang Ziyi Biography
Zhang Ziyi was trained as a dancer since 10 at the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, and won in a national competition. Ziyi was regarded as one of nation’s most potential dancer back then but she felt that she couldn’t achieve much as a dancer, and decided to switch path to acting instead.
Ziyi’s talent in dancing perhaps contributed for her being accepted into China best drama school, the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing. Ziyi was just 15 then and had to start all-fresh in acting and worked extra hard than her fellow students.
Zhang Ziyi movie debut was actually back in 1996 with “Touching Starlight” which was not noticable. Ziyi’s breakthrough was when she went for an audition by renowned director Zhang Yi-Mou, and was selected by the director to lead his next movie.
The movie “The Road Home” was released in 1999, and Zhang Ziyi became a popular name in China.
It was however in 2001 movie, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” directed by Oscar winning director Ang Lee that burst Zhang Ziyi into international superstar status.
Ziyi’s experience with dancing and harsh physical training allowed her to make difficult moves in the martial arts award winning movie, and her kungfu fighting still remains as some of her trademarks nowadays.
Since then Ziyi has star in multiple movies production from Asia to Hollywood. Some of her familiar movies include “Rush Hour 2,” “Hero,” “2046,” “House of Flying Daggers” and “Memoirs Of A Geisha.”
2005 movie Memoirs Of A Geisha created lots of controversies in China where Ziyi was hammered with critics for acting as a Japanese in the movie (China and Japan relationship has been in tight situation ever since World War 2 back in 1940s). The Geisha role however won Ziyi a best actress nomination at US Golden Globe Awards.
Other than acting, Ziyi can sing as well. She sang “The Beauty Song” which was adapted from ancient Chinese poem, which was featured in movie House of Flying Daggers.
Zhang Ziyi’s latest movie is “The Banquet” which was released in Autumn 2006.
As one of the most recognizable Chinese around the globe, Ziyi’s pretty face has been appearing here and there, everywhere.. and we will be seeing her for at least another few more years as one of worldwide most influential actress.
Why I like Zhang Ziyi
There are always bunch of bad comments surrounding Zhang Ziyi, some of her fellow countrymen from China always critisize her for various reasons.
I can’t say I’m a big fan of Ziyi, but I admire her for handling all the pressures and working hard on her acting career. Despite often critisized by local media, she remained polite and calm most all the time.
Nonetheless, Ziyi does have a charming appearance that is one of the most popular and lovable face around the globe.. and her contribution for Chinese/Asian movie industry is massive and deserve our respect.
Zhang Ziyi Pictures, Photos and Videos
May 10th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Is Zhang Ziyi anytime sooner or later going to do a nude scene either in a movie or even just a photoshoot. I mean everything including a full frontal natural shape pubic hair nude. If she were offered a good deal and money would she really do it.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I think because of money, Zhang Ziyi will do anything, included married a old grandpa….haha…..she is materialistic !
May 19th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
uhmm dont take this the wrong way but i think ziyi has many slutty roles dont you think?
May 24th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
i really want to become look like you
hope things get better for you^^
June 17th, 2008 at 7:17 am
I am a white American, and I lived for five years above HK, in Guangzhou (Canton) in the Chinese mainland. I have to say, all this BS about the mainlander Chinese giving other people a hard time because they do something that seems to support Japan (such as Zhang’s Japanese role in a MOVIE, for cryin’ out loud!) or the other girl who wore the shirt that looked like a Japanese flag…boo F_ _kin’ Hoo!
It’s kind of funny how practically EVERY young Chinese (between 16-25) emulate Japanese fashion, and love their music and also the food. But the minute you say to them, “What do you think of Japan?” They will always, without fail, say the same old “party line” that their elder brother/sister or parents or even TEACHER taught them, “The Japanese are animals! They deserve to die! I hate them! Some day we will have our revenge!”….?
What? Let’s see, yes, they did kill a lot of innocent people in the invasion of Nanjing in the 40s, and they tortured Chinese with experimental prisons then too…so get the F_ _k over it!
If a country wants to move on and be a part of EVERYTHING else out there, then they need to quit WHINING and GROW UP!!!
And they also need to stop giving pop stars and actors/actresses trouble for merely EXPRESSING themselves.
July 4th, 2008 at 7:18 am
yo Michael Lovett you aint pure chinese
so you wont know shit
try going to the northern part of china and you will
understand more about the Chinese and Japaneses relationships
August 1st, 2008 at 12:56 am
Hey Michael Lovett,
You are white American, that means you are an imported race that took over some country and you have not lived there long enough to have a culture.
Shut the f… up your self about other peoples cultures if you have nothing positive to say, be wise and say nothing.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Zhang Ziyi is absolutely beautiful in my opinion and an amazing actress. She was wonderful in 2046.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
i first saw her in House of Flying Dagger which amazes me because of her dancing talent, acting, fighting, and singing of the beauty song…though it’s sad that her role is slutty with sex scenes at least once or twice in each movie nowadays which make her seem like a whore but i still like her… she is beautiful and strong so i give her credit for her hard works…^0^
August 24th, 2008 at 6:28 am
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm etc
October 4th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I love zhang ziyi due to her acting …you can see her really working hard..It`s not an easy job ..I agree more for what michael lovett said..You all are too proud of urself!!if you want to revenge ..you are as animal as japanese,don`t you!!it`s very difficult to forget the past however what can you do ? you want to kill those innocent people in japan !!stupidddd..peng zzzzzzhuuu!!
October 7th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
zhang ziyi is a very talented actress.. she’s very great in action roles.. truly asians rule in martial arts.. oh yeah! bec. martial arts are from asian countries like arnis, taekwondo, karate, etc..
October 12th, 2008 at 1:28 am
you look great in martial arts and traditional movies