X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Joan Chen Biography

Birth Name:Chong Chen

Birth Place:Shanghai, China

Profession Actress, Producer, Director, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Selected five films to screen at the first Singapore Sun Film Festival in 2009
  • Attended the California State University at Northridge
  • Attended Shanghai International Studies University to major in English
  • Selected for the Actors' Training Program at the Shanghai Film Studio as a result of her excellent marksmanship in school
  • Quote: "To be born pretty is fortunate․ Even being typecast as an exotic beauty I now see as fortunate․ Now that I look back, hey, I was working․"
  • Gained popularity with international audiences with her performance in "The Last Emperor․"
  • Has successful careers in both Hollywood and Hong Kong
  • Sat as a member of the jury for the 1996 Berlin International Film Festival
  • Published an article about the politicization of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing in the Washington Post
  • Speaks Mandarin, English and Shanghainese
  • Promoted the Chinese Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Prevention campaign in 2008
  • Sang the songs "I Love You, China" and "High Flies the Petrel" for the film "Hearts for the Motherland․"
  • Spoke in a public service announcement to stop HIV/AIDS-related stigma in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities

Awards

  • 1979Huabiao Film Award-Outstanding Youth Filmmaking: winner
  • 1979Huabiao Film Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1980Hundred Flowers Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1987Razzie Award-Worst New Star: nominated
  • 1987Razzie Award-Worst Actress: nominated
  • 1994Golden Horse Award-Best Leading Actress: winner
  • 1994Golden Kite-Best Leading Actress: nominated
  • 1995Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1995Razzie Award-Worst Actress: nominated
  • 1998Golden Berlin Bear-Best Film: nominated
  • 1998Gold Hugo-New Directors Competition: nominated
  • 1998Jury Award-Best Drama: winner
  • 1998Golden Horse Award-Best Director: winner
  • 1998Golden Horse Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 1998Golden Kite-Best New Director: winner
  • 1998Golden Kite-Best Director: winner
  • 1999Grand Prize-: winner
  • 1999International Freedom Award-: winner
  • 1999Grand Prix-: nominated
  • 1999Special Jury Prize-: winner
  • 2000Chlotrudis Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2000Independent Spirit Award-Best First Feature - Over $500,000: nominated
  • 2003Golden Kite-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006SXSW Grand Jury Award-Outstanding Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2007Asia Pacific Screen Award-Best Performance by an Actress: nominated
  • 2007AFI Award-Best Lead Actress: winner
  • 2007Capri Global Award-: winner
  • 2007China Film Media Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2007Golden Horse Award-Best Leading Actress: winner
  • 2007Golden Kite-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2007Golden Kite-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2007IF Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2007Jury Prize-Best Actress: winner
  • 2008Asian Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2008Asian Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2008NETPAC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2008NETPAC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2008China Film Media Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2008FCCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2008Iron Elephant Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2010China Film Media Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2010IF Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014The Equity Award-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Series in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019M Ranking-Most Breakthrough Actress: winner
  • 2019Golden Kite-Best Leading Actress: nominated
  • 2020Huading Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2020Golden Lotus Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020Youth Film Manual Award-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2020Youth Film Manual Award-Breakthrough Performance: winner
  • 2023Golden Kite-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024Career Achievement Award-AAPI Cinema & Television: winner
  • 2024Career Achievement Award-: winner
  • 2024Chinese Film Competition-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2024GWNYFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024SFBAFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2024SFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award-Ensemble: winner
  • 2025Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2025EDA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2025DFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2025Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
  • 2025Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2025Chinese Film Competition-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2025ICS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2025KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2025Career Achievement Award-: winner