Ziyi Zhang Detailed Biography

Ziyi Zhang Detailed Biography

Born in Beijing with her mother,a retired kindergarten teacher, and her father, an economist, Zhang ziyi was so thin in her childhood that she began to learn dance at the age of eight. After three years, little Zhang gained entrance to the middle school of Beijing Dance Academy, and began her six year's folk dance learn.

Although she was able to gain a few awards and win a few contests, it gradually became apparent to her that her future in the field of dancing was not bright. She soon enrolled in the China Central Drama Academy in Beijing to study acting in 1996. She therefore enrolled in the Central Drama Academy in Beijing, where she received her dramatic training. Zhang Ziyi's calling was answered when she least expected it. She auditioned for a shampoo commercial, directed by Zhang Yimou (one of China's most renowned directors). Zhang Yimou knew that Zhang Ziyi was the perfect choice for the part of a young, rural schoolgirl in love with a schoolteacher, and she was cast in the lead role of 1999's The Road Home (also known as Wo de fu qim mu qin).

Since Zhang Ziyi was unknown at the time of the film's release, it will be re-released with Sony Picture Classics in 2001 thanks to her flourishing success. The Road Home won the Jury Grand Prix Silver Bear at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival.

When Ang Lee was casting actors for his martial-arts marvel, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (a.k.a Wo ho 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'd be the one for the role -- and she probably only exceeded Lee's expectations.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon became one of the biggest hits of 2000 (and the most popular foreign films in US history), and went on to earn a roaring $130 million at the box office and garner 4 Academy Awards, among the long list of awards it won. Her role 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 supreme 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).
She also was seen in another Zhang Yimou film entitled The Warriors (a.k.a Moosah), in which she portrayed a princess taken hostage in the period of the war between the Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, as well as The Legend Of Zu and the futuristic 2046.