Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh Choo-Kheng, PSM (杨紫琼; born 6 August 1962) is a Malaysian actress who rose to fame in 1990s Hong Kong action films and is best known internationally for her roles in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), along with recent international English films and series.
Michelle Yeoh Choo Kheng PSM (杨紫琼) was born on August 6, 1962, in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. Her father, Yeoh Kian-teik, was a Malaysian Senator and Chairman of the Perak Bar Association, while also founding “Sri Maju,” an intercity coach service. Yeoh grew up in a multicultural environment, speaking English with her father and understanding some Malaysian Cantonese. Despite her Hokkien and Cantonese ancestry, she only became fluent in Cantonese in the 1980s and learned some Mandarin in the 2000s.
Yeoh started ballet at age four and attended Main Convent Ipoh and The Hammond School, Chester, in the UK. A spinal injury ended her aspirations to become a professional ballet dancer, leading her to focus on choreography and other arts. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1983.
Career
Early Career and First Retirement (1983–1991)
Yeoh’s career took off after winning the Miss Malaysia World contest in 1983. She represented Malaysia at the Miss World 1983 pageant and won the Miss Moomba International pageant in 1984. Her first acting job was in a commercial with Jackie Chan, which led to an offer from Hong Kong’s D&B Films. She began her acting career with action and martial arts films, performing her own stunts. Her first lead role was in “Yes, Madam” (1985), using the stage name Michelle Khan. In 1987, she married Dickson Poon and temporarily retired from acting.
Return and Establishment as Action and Martial Arts Star (1992–2001)
Yeoh returned to acting in 1992 with “Police Story 3: Super Cop.” She changed her stage name back to Michelle Yeoh for her Hollywood debut in “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), where she starred alongside Pierce Brosnan. Her role in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000) earned her international acclaim and a BAFTA nomination.
Career Fluctuations (2002–2016)
Yeoh’s career saw varied roles in films like “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2005) and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” (2008). She portrayed Aung San Suu Kyi in “The Lady” (2011) and was blacklisted by the Burmese government for her role.
Supporting Roles (2017–2020)
Yeoh appeared in “Star Trek: Discovery” (2017–2020) and “Crazy Rich Asians” (2018). She also had roles in “Last Christmas” (2019) and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021).
Award Success (2021–present)
Yeoh starred in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022), earning critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress. She became the first Asian and first Malaysian to win in this category. She also appeared in “American Born Chinese” (2023) and was announced to star in “The Brothers Sun” and “A Haunting in Venice.”
Activism
Michelle Yeoh is actively involved in various social and charitable endeavors. She has worked extensively on global road safety campaigns, wildlife conservation, and as a UNDP ambassador for sustainable development goals. Her commitment to environmental issues and health and well-being initiatives has been widely recognized.
Personal Life
Yeoh was married to Hong Kong entrepreneur Dickson Poon from 1988 to 1992. Since 2004, she has been in a relationship with Jean Todt, with whom she got engaged in 2004. The couple reportedly married in July 2023. Yeoh does not have children and has spoken about the importance of diversity and against racial stereotyping in Hollywood.
Filmography and Accolades
Michelle Yeoh’s extensive filmography includes significant roles in both Asian and Western cinema. She has received numerous awards and honors, including a Darjah Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) title from Malaysia, the French title of Knight of the Legion of Honor, and inclusion in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in 2022. Yeoh’s contribution to the film industry was recognized with an honorary doctorate from the American Film Institute, making her the first Asian artist to receive this honor.
Michelle Yeoh Filmography