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Joan Chen

Acting

Born April 26, 1961 · Shanghai, China

Also known as Chen Chong · Joan C. Chen · Joan Chen Chong

Biography

Joan Chong Chen (born April 26, 1961) is a Chinese American actress, film director, screenwriter and film producer. She became famous in China for her performance in the 1979 film Little Flower and came to international attention for her performance in the 1987 Academy Award-winning film The Last Emperor. She is also known for her roles in Twin Peaks, Red Rose White Rose, Saving Face and The Home Song Stories, and for directing the feature film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.

Awards & recognition

  • AACTA AwardBest Actress in a Leading Role · 2007
  • Asian Film AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2007
  • Golden Horse AwardBest Leading Actress · 2007
  • Golden Horse AwardBest Director · 1998
  • Golden Horse AwardBest Leading Actress · 1994
Show all 15 awards →
  • Hundred Flowers AwardBest Actress · 1980
  • AACTA AwardBest Actress in a Leading Role · 2007 · nominated
  • Asian Film AwardBest Actress · 2007 · nominated
  • Asian Film AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2007 · nominated
  • Independent Spirit AwardBest First Feature · 2000 · nominated
  • Hong Kong Film AwardBest Actress · 1995 · nominated
  • Golden Raspberry AwardWorst Actress · 1994 · nominated
  • Golden Raspberry AwardWorst New Star · 1987 · nominated
  • Golden Raspberry AwardWorst Actress · 1987 · nominated
  • Hundred Flowers AwardBest Actress · 1980 · nominated

Filmography46 titles

Remarkably Bright Creatures

2026as Janice Kim

Twin Peaks

1990as Jocelyn Packard

Fringe

2008as Reiko

Homicide: Life on the Street

1993as Elizabeth Wu

Tales from the Crypt

1989as Connie

The Outer Limits

1995as Major Dara Talif

MacGyver

1985as Lin

Sheep Without a Shepherd

2019as La Wen

The Last Emperor

1987as Wan Jung

Hollywood Chinese

2007as Self

Miami Vice

1984as May Ying

Knight Rider

1982as Su-Lin

Marco Polo

2014as Empress Chabi

In a Class of His Own

1999as Linda Ching

Lust, Caution

2007as Mrs. Yee

Saving Face

2004as Ma

Dìdi

2024as Chungsing Wang

Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces

2014as Josie Packard

24 City

2008as Xiao Hua

A Murder at the End of the World

2023as Lu Mei

The Wedding Banquet

2025as May Chen

Tigertail

2020as Yuan

Mao's Last Dancer

2009as Niang

Heaven & Earth

1993as Mama

Wiseguy

1987

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

as Princess Jade (voice)

Hemingway & Gellhorn

2012as Madame Chiang Kai Shek

Autumn in New York

2000Director

Judge Dredd

1995as Dr. Ilsa Hayden

The Blood of Heroes

1989as Kidda

Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart

1985as Young M.J. Player

Serangoon Road

as Patricia Cheng

Ava

2020as Toni

White Frog

2012as Irene Young

1911

2011as Longyu

Wedlock

1991as Noelle

What's Cooking?

2000as Trinh Nguyen

Wild Side

1995as Virginia Chow

The Hunted

1995as Kirina

Oh. What. Fun.

2025as Jeanne Wang-Wasserman

The House That Never Dies II

2017as 医生

Turtle Beach

1992as Minou

On Deadly Ground

1994as Masu

Tai-Pan

1986as May-May

Hero

2022Director, Screenplay

Golden Gate

1994as Marilyn Song