Donnie Yen

Also Known As: 甄子丹, Donnie Yen Ji-Dan, 견자단, Yen Ji-Dan, Yen Chi-Tan, Yan Chi-Tan, Yen Chi-Ten, Yin Sze-Dan, Zhen Zi Dan, Донни Йен, Ντόνι Γιέν, Zhen Zidan, Chung Tử Đơn, Chân Tử Đan, Donnie Yen, Donnie Yen Chi-Tan, دانی ین, دوني ين

Biography: Donnie Yen Chi-tan is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Golden Horse Awards and five Hong Kong Film Awards. He is best known for portraying Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the Ip Man film series, namely Ip Man (2008), Ip Man 2 (2010), Ip Man 3 (2015), and Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019). He also served as co-producer for the spin-off Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018). Born in Guangdong, Yen developed an interest in martial arts at a young age, and began experimenting with various styles, including tai chi and other traditional Chinese martial arts. At age 18, he auditioned for action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping in Hong Kong. He landed his first starring role in the 1984 Hong Kong martial arts action film Drunken Tai Chi. He made his breakthrough role as the antagonist General Nap-lan in Once Upon a Time in China II (1992), opposite Jet Li's character. He appeared in several other Hong Kong kung fu films, including Iron Monkey (1993) and Wing Chun (1994). In 1997, he starred in his directorial debut film Legend of the Wolf. Yen made his American debut in Highlander: Endgame (2000), followed by a cameo in Blade II (2002). He went on to appear in the American films Shanghai Knights (2003), Rogue One (2016), XXX: Return of Xander Cage (2017), Mulan (2020), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). He has continued to be active in Hong Kong cinema, appearing in the well-received films Hero (2002), SPL: Sha Po Lang (2005), 14 Blades (2010), Wu Xia (2011), Kung Fu Jungle (2014), Chasing the Dragon (2017), Enter the Fat Dragon (2020), Raging Fire (2021), and The Prosecutor (2024), among others. In television, Yen portrayed fictional character Chen Zhen in the television series Fist of Fury (1995); he reprised the role in the 2010 film Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen. For portraying Ip Man in the Ip Man film series (2008-2019), Yen is credited by many for contributing to the popularisation of Wing Chun in China. Alongside Kung fu, particularly Wing Chun, Yen is also known for incorporating mixed martial arts (MMA) elements into his action choreography. Aside from his acting, in 1997, he established his own production company, Bullet Films, which choreographed the action for Western blockbusters like Blade II (2002) and Stormbreaker (2006).

Department: Acting

Place of Birth: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Adult: No

Birthday: July 27, 1963

Age: 61 years old

Gender: Male

Popularity:

7.22%

Known For:

Hero
The Twins Effect II
Once Upon a Time in China II
Seven Swords
Bodyguards and Assassins
Shanghai Knights
Highlander: Endgame
Drunken Tai Chi
Wing Chun
Legend of the Wolf
14 Blades
SPL: Kill Zone
Butterfly and Sword
Dragon Inn
Flash Point
Blade II
An Empress and the Warriors
Ip Man
Ip Man 2
Dragon Tiger Gate
Heroes Among Heroes
The Lost Bladesman
Iron Monkey 2
Cheetah on Fire
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
In the Line of Duty 4
Painted Skin
Dragon
New Kung Fu Cult Master
Ip Man 5
Flash Point: Resurgence
The Prosecutor
Satan Returns
All's Well, Ends Well 2011
New Kung Fu Cult Master 2
All's Well, Ends Well
Tiger Cage
Tiger Cage II
Ballistic Kiss
John Wick: Chapter 4
The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead
Mismatched Couples
High Voltage
The Monkey King
Together
Come Back Home
Black Rose II
Special ID
Circus Kids
Crystal Hunt
Shanghai Affairs
City of Darkness
The Last Conflict
Golden Chickensss
Sakra
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
2021 China Central Radio and TV Station Spring Festival Gala
Iceman
Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge
Revenge of the Kung Fu Master
Iron Monkey
Kung Fu Jungle
The Founding of a Republic
Kung Fu
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991
Ip Man 3
xXx: Return of Xander Cage
From the World of John Wick: Caine
The Saint of Gamblers
All's Well, Ends Well 2009
Ip Man 4: The Finale
Chasing the Dragon
Cinema of Vengeance
Fist of Fury
Iceman: The Time Traveler
Guardians of Martial Arts
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
Enter the Fat Dragon
Big Brother
Raging Fire
Hong Kong Superstars
Mulan
Love on the Rocks
An Inspector Calls
The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
The Kung Fu Master
Kung Fu Stuntmen
The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'
Let the Music Fly
'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece
Wick Is Pain