Michelle Yeoh

Yeoh Choo Kheng, better known as Michelle Yeoh, was born on August 6, 1962, in Malaysia. With a career that spans more than forty years, Yeoh has established herself as a versatile actress, showcasing her talent across a multitude of genres. Her impressive body of work has earned her numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, along with nominations for two British Academy Film Awards. Initially credited as Michelle Khan in her earlier films, she gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s through iconic Hong Kong action and martial arts films, where she performed her own stunts. Notable works from this period include Yes, Madam (1985), Magnificent Warriors (1987), and Police Story 3: Super Cop (1992).

Transitioning to Hollywood, Yeoh gained international acclaim with roles in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Ang Lee’s critically acclaimed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), the latter of which garnered her a BAFTA nomination. Her Hollywood filmography includes Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), while she continued to shine in Asian cinema with films like True Legend (2010) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016).

In 2022, Yeoh made history by winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, becoming the first Asian and the first Malaysian to achieve this honor. She has appeared in various popular films and series, including Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). Named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2022, Yeoh received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the film industry.