Basic Information
Name: Yeoh Choo Kheng (Professionally known as Michelle Yeoh)
Date of Birth: August 6, 1962
Nationality: Malaysian
Profession: Actress, Producer
Social media:
Instagram:
Spouse: Jean Todt (m. 2023), Dickson Poon (m. 1988¨C1992)
Biography
Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress recognized for her work in action, drama, and comedy films. Born in Ipoh, Malaysia, to Janet and Yeoh Kian-teik, she is of Hokkien descent. She was raised speaking English and Malay before learning Chinese. From an early age, Yeoh was involved in sports and ballet, eventually attending the Royal Academy of Dance in London. A spinal injury ended her ballet career, leading her to transition into the entertainment industry.
Yeoh's entry into the spotlight began with beauty pageants, winning the title of Miss Malaysia World in 1983 and Miss Moomba International in 1984. Her acting career was initiated through a commercial with Jackie Chan, which led her to enter the Hong Kong film industry. Gaining recognition for performing her own stunts, she emerged as a prominent figure in Hong Kong action cinema. Her international breakthrough came with roles in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). She further solidified her status with performances in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), and the critically acclaimed Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), for which she won multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Career Timeline
1983: Wins Miss Malaysia World.
1984: Wins Miss Moomba International.
1984: First acting role in a commercial with Jackie Chan.
1985: Debuts in action cinema with Yes, Madam.
1997: Gains international recognition with Tomorrow Never Dies.
2000: Stars in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
2005: Appears in Memoirs of a Geisha.
2011: Portrays Aung San Suu Kyi in The Lady.
2016: Appointed as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador.
2018: Stars in Crazy Rich Asians.
2021: Features in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
2022: Wins the Academy Award for Best Actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
2024: Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Joe Biden.
Achievements
Michelle Yeoh has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career, establishing herself as a pioneering actress. She made history as the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. This achievement was accompanied by a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, and a Saturn Award for Best Actress.
Yeoh has received multiple nominations for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), including for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Everything Everywhere All at Once. She was honored with the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award at the 2013 Asian Film Awards and was conferred the title of Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato' Seri after being awarded the Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) in 2013. In 2017, she was appointed Commander of the Legion of Honour by the French government. In 2024, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden for her contributions to global cinema and international relations.
Beyond acting, Yeoh is known for her philanthropic efforts, serving as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador and advocating for road safety, environmental sustainability, and AIDS awareness.
Key Quotes
"Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn't make you who you are. It is the rest of your story, who you choose to be."
"This world belongs to all of us, and all sexes should be able to live in respect and harmony."
"I always thought of myself as James Bond."
"It can only be true love when you enable your other half to be better, to be the person they're destined to be."
"Beauty shouldn't be superficial and should come from within, and your eyes will tell the story."
"When you face up to bad things in the past, the most important thing is not to allow them to happen today or in the future, and as storytellers, we must play our part in that."
Multimedia
Gallery:
Videos/Interviews:
Fun Facts
In the early stages of her career, she was credited as "Michelle Khan," a name chosen for international marketing purposes.
She is known for performing many of her own stunts, utilizing her background in dance and martial arts.
She is fluent in English, Malay, and Cantonese and learned Mandarin for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
She was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" in 1997.
She turned down a role in The Matrix sequel to pursue other projects.
She is an advocate for wildlife conservation and environmental protection.
She is the second woman of color to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Impact and Legacy
Michelle Yeoh has played a significant role in reshaping the perception of Asian actors in Hollywood and global cinema. She has broken stereotypes, particularly for Asian women in action and dramatic roles, and has inspired future generations of performers. Her Academy Award win for Everything Everywhere All at Once represents a major milestone for Asian representation in mainstream media. Additionally, her philanthropic contributions and advocacy work highlight her dedication to making a meaningful impact beyond the entertainment industry. Yeoh's legacy continues to grow as she remains an influential figure in both cinema and social causes.
Follow 바카라 Experiences:
| | |
