In thisHong Kong name, thesurname isYen. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Donnie Yen and the Chinese-style name is Yen Chi-tan.
For portraying Ip Man in theIp Man film series (2008–2019), Yen is credited by many for contributing to the popularisation of Wing Chun in China.[7] Alongside Kung fu, particularly Wing Chun, Yen is also known for incorporatingmixed martial arts (MMA) elements into his action choreography. Aside from his acting, in 1997, he established his ownproduction company, Bullet Films, which choreographed the action for Western blockbusters likeBlade II (2002) andStormbreaker (2006).[8]
At a young age, under the influence of his mother, Yen developed an interest in martial arts and began experimenting with various styles, includingtai chi and other traditionalChinese martial arts.[12] At age 16 his parents sent him to Beijing to train with theBeijing Wushu Team.[12]
At age 18, when Yen was returning to the United States to visit his family, he made a stop in Hong Kong, where he met and auditioned for action choreographerYuen Woo-ping.[12]
Yen comes from a family of musicians. His mother is a soprano, in addition to being a martial arts teacher in Boston, while his father is a violinist.[13] From a young age, he was taught by his parents to play musical instruments, including the piano.[14][15]
Yen's first step into the film industry was when he landed his first starring role in the 1984 filmDrunken Tai Chi. After filmingDrunken Tai Chi andTiger Cage (1988), Yen made his breakthrough role as General Nap-lan inOnce Upon a Time in China II (1992), which included a fight scene between his character andWong Fei-hung (portrayed byJet Li).[12] Yen had a starring role in the filmIron Monkey in 1993. Yen and Li appeared together again in the 2002 filmHero, where Yen played a spear (orqiang) fighter who fought with Li's character, an unnamed swordsman.[12] The film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2003Academy Awards.
In 1997, Yen started the production company Bullet Films, and made his directorial debut[16] inLegend of the Wolf (1997) andBallistic Kiss (1998), in which he played the lead character. At age 34, Yen almost went bankrupt. Films produced by his own production company and directed by him were critically acclaimed but did not do well at the box office. Yen was forced to borrow money fromloan sharks and his production crew to get by.
Yen went back to the United States, where he was invited to choreograph fight scenes in Hollywood films, such asHighlander: Endgame (2000) andBlade II (2002). His choreography and skills impressed the directors, and they invited him for cameo appearances in both films.[17] In 2002, Li was filmingHero and insisted to directorZhang Yimou that he wanted Yen to play the role of Sky, his adversary, due to Yen's martial arts ability. Li personally invited Yen back from Hollywood to star in the film, marking the second time the two actors appeared onscreen together sinceOnce Upon a Time in China II 10 years earlier back in 1992.[18] In 2003, Yen portrayed antagonist Wu Chow oppositeJackie Chan andOwen Wilson inShanghai Knights.
In 2008, Yen starred inIp Man, a semi-biographical account ofIp Man, theWing Chun master ofBruce Lee.Ip Man marked Yen's fourth collaboration with director Wilson Yip, reuniting him with his co-stars inSPL: Sha Po Lang,Sammo Hung andSimon Yam.Ip Man became the biggest box office hit to date featuring Yen in the leading role, grossing HK$25 million in Hong Kong and 100 million yuan in China.[19][20]
In 2010,Ip Man 2 was released. Similar to the first film, it was directed byWilson Yip. In August 2011, while Yen was on a vacation with his family in the United States, he reportedly received an invitation by producerAvi Lerner to star inThe Expendables 2. It was stated that Yen was considering the offer, had many films at hand, and would wait until deciding whether the script appealed to him.[21] Later on, Yen revealed to the Hong Kong media that he had rejected the role.[22] In 2011, Yen revealed that he was venturing into other genres of films and had taken up two comedy roles in a row, inAll's Well, Ends Well 2011 andAll's Well, Ends Well 2012, and would be working withCarina Lau in the former andSandra Ng in the latter. Both films were critical and box-office successes.
Yen took a six-month break in the second half of 2011 after the filming ofThe Monkey King, where he portrayed the title character and mainprotagonistSun Wukong, replacing Li once again, in which the film was released during theChinese New Year period in January 2014,[23][24] he explained that he wanted to spend more time with his family and be with his children more as they grew up. In 2012, Yen returned to the movie industry and commenced the filming ofSpecial ID, in which he played the main lead, an undercover cop, and also took on the role ofaction choreographer. In 2013, it was reported that Yen would be playing the lead role forIceman, a sci-fi action film dealing with time travel and which was filmed in3D. Yen confirmed thatMMA would be used in both of the aforementioned films.[25]
In February 2013, the Weinstein Company confirmed that it had purchased the rights toCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny and contacted Yen to play the male lead. In March 2013, Hong Kong magazines surfaced photos ofHarvey andBob Weinstein traveling to Hong Kong to meet with Yen and persuade him to accept the offer. It was reported that Yen was considering the role and quoted as saying, "The first is that my schedule this year is very packed. The second is that the first film is already such a classic. I am afraid of the pressure, that the original cannot be surpassed."[26] In May 2013, during the annualCannes Film Festival, the Weinstein Company announced that Yen would play the lead role of Silent Wolf inCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, alongside leading female action starMichelle Yeoh reprising her role as Yu Shu Lien, and with directorYuen Woo-ping, Yen's mentor. It was revealed that the movie would be filmed in both English andMandarin to appeal to the international market.[27] It was revealed during theCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II press conference that the Weinstein Company had obtained rights toAkira Kurosawa'sSeven Samurai, was planning a remake and was negotiating with Yen,George Clooney, andZhang Ziyi to star in the film.[28][29] Yen declined the offer due to scheduling conflicts for the filming ofIp Man 3. Yen earned HK$220 million (US$28.4 million) from four films and six advertisements in 2013.[30]
In late March 2015,Ip Man 3 was announced. Yen reprised his role as the titular characterIp Man,Bruce Lee's wing chun master. Retired boxer and former heavyweight championMike Tyson was confirmed to join the cast.[31] Yen mentioned that he was a big fan of Tyson, watched many of his professional boxing bouts, and was excited to work with him. Tyson stated during a press conference that he was a huge fan of Yen and has watchedIp Man andIp Man 2 more than three times each and was honored to be invited for the final installment of the trilogy.[32] Principal photography forIp Man 3 began on 25 March 2015, and the finished film was released in December 2015 in parts of Asia and around the world in early 2016 to generally favorable reviews.
Yen in February 2018
In 2016, Yen co-starred in theStar Wars anthology filmRogue One asChirrut Îmwe, theZatoichi-like blind transient warrior.[33] On 12 February 2016, it was confirmed that Yen would once again replace Li for the third time as Xiang in the upcoming action filmXXX: Return of Xander Cage (afterLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen in 2010 andThe Monkey King in 2014).[34][35][non-primary source needed][36][37] For the promotion ofXXX: Return of Xander Cage, Paramount focused marketing efforts on Yen in China and most parts of Asia, placing him at the front of the film posters ahead ofVin Diesel, and shared clips and reviews of Yen's performance in the movie on the popular Chinese social media siteWeibo.[38] Paramount's efforts worked very well in China. The film wasnumber one in its opening weekend with $61.9 million,[39] and crossed the $100 million mark in just six days with $22.2m coming from Valentine's Day alone after rave reviews praising Yen's performance swept through Chinese social media, driving moviegoers to the cinema.[40][41] Yen's performance in bothRogue One andXXX: Return of Xander Cage received positive responses from critics and general audiences. ForXXX: Return of Xander Cage, media outlets praised Yen's performance.[42][43] In the case ofRogue One, Yen's performance was applauded by audiences worldwide. In a poll on the Star Wars webpage, in which more 40,000 people voted, Yen's character Chirrut Îmwe was voted as audiences' favoriteRogue One character.[44]
While Yen was filmingXXX: Return of Xander Cage in Canada, he received offers from Hollywood studios and directors. At the same time, Hong Kong directorWong Jing personally flew to Canada to invite Yen to star in his filmChasing the Dragon, a remake of the filmTo Be Number One. Yen eventually accepted the offer and played a non-traditional role of a villain with limited fighting scenes and the opportunity to work alongsideAndy Lau. In September 2017,Chasing the Dragon was released with positive reviews from critics, citing Yen's versatility as an actor and his portrayal of Ng Sek Ho, the main character of the film.[45]Chasing the Dragon was a hit with audiences in most parts of Asia. In Hong Kong,Chasing the Dragon is ranked as one of the top 5 Hong Kong films in 2017.[46]
In 2017, Yen received a call from Li and Alibaba CEOJack Ma about a potential collaboration on a short martial arts film known asGong Shou Dao – to promote a new form of tai chi as an Olympic sport in the future.[47] Yen was on holiday with his wife to celebrate their anniversary, but cancelled his plans to take part in the film. Yen declined any salary for this participation for GSD as he stated that "friendship is not measured by money" and that he hopes his participation can help promote Chinese martial arts to worldwide audiences. In return, Li and Ma surprised Yen and his wife Cissy, by helping to celebrate their wedding anniversary on the set. The full GSD 20 minutes short film was released on 11 November – China'sSingles' Day, debuting onYouku and Li's official Facebook page, garnering a total of more than 100 million views worldwide.[48][non-primary source needed] Netizens in China praised Yen's speed and technique in the film, with most audiences (over 190,000) voting Yen as the highlight of the short film.[49] In late 2017, Yen began filmingBig Brother, a mixed martial arts film where Yen plays a high school teacher with unconventional methods and a dark past.[50]
In 2017, a live-action film adaption of the video gameSleeping Dogs was announced, with Yen playing the lead character Wei Shen.[51] In February 2018, Yen confirmed the continued production of the film through social media.[52] In 2019, Yen reprised his role as Ip Man inIp Man 4: The Finale. During theHong Kong protests of that year, protesters urged a boycott of the film, citing thepro-Beijing stances of Yen, co-starDanny Chan, and producerRaymond Wong.[53] The film was a box office success, grossing over three times its budget of $52 million[54][55] and becoming the highest-grossing Chinese film of all time inMalaysia as well as the third-highest-grossing Chinese film in North America in five years.[56][57]
In March 2020, as part of the press tour for Disney's live-action remake ofMulan, when Yen was asked by reporters whether he was interested in appearing in a superhero film, Yen revealed that he had been offered a role inWarner Brothers'Justice League andAquaman films byZack Snyder, but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. The role offered was that ofNuidis Vulko, which eventually went toWillem Dafoe.[58] Yen joined the cast ofJohn Wick: Chapter 4, which was released in March 2023. Yen and the film both received positive reviews from critics.[59] In May 2024, it was reported that Yen would star in a John Wickspinoff movie around his assassin character Caine.[60][6] In April 2025, the Caine spinoff was confirmed atCinemaCon to be pushing through, with Yen also directing andMattson Tomlin writing the script.[61]
Yen describes himself as a mixed martial artist.[3] He learnedShaolin kung fu andwudangquan at a young age under his mother's tutelage.[63][64] He then wanted to learnTaekwondo in his teenage years, earning a 6th Dan in the process. At the time, theBeijing Wushu Team had a scout in theUnited States and invited Yen over toBeijing,China, where he began training at theBeijing Sports Institute, the samefacility wherechampion-turned-actorJet Li trained; this is where the two of them crossed paths for the first time. Upon his return to theUnited States, Yen won gold medals in variouswushucompetitions.[65]
Over the course of his life, Yen embarked on a quest to explore and acquire expertise in various other forms of martial arts disciplines; he obtained black and purple belts inJudo andBrazilian jiu-jitsu, respectively, and went on to studyParkour,Wrestling,Muay Thai,Kickboxing, andBoxing under various instructors. His exposure to the combat sportmixed martial arts (MMA) was heightened when he went back to the United States from 2000 to 2003. While making his Hollywood debut, he also took time off to learn the various martial arts forms in preparation for subsequent and future film roles.[66][67] Yen's progress was evident when he returned to the East Asian film industry, where he implemented his newfound knowledge of MMA, showcased in films such asSPL: Sha Po Lang (2005),Flash Point (2007), andSpecial ID (2013).
Near the end of 2007, Yen added a new martial arts system to his arsenal. He was offered the role of Wing Chun grandmaster and mentor of film starBruce Lee,Ip Man, in a 2008film named after the grandmaster. He worked hard and studiedWing Chun under Ip Man's eldest son,Ip Chun, for 9 months before tackling the role.[68] Ip Chun has since praised Yen for his effort, his skills as a martial artist, and his ability to grasp the full concept of Wing Chun much faster than anyone else he has taught.[69] With the huge success of the Ip Man films both critically and commercially, Yen has been credited by many for contributing to the popularisation of Wing Chun in China.[70][7]
Yen believes that combining many martial arts together produces the most effective and harmonious style. Yen has said, "When you watch my films, you're feeling my heart."[71] He believes in practical combat, and in his opinion, MMA is the most authentic type of practical combat.[72]
Yen was a rebel in his youth due to the huge expectations and pressures from his parents, as his mother is the founder of the Chinese Wushu Research Institute inBoston, and his father was a scholar and a musician.[73]
Other martial arts film stars likeJackie Chan andJet Li have stated that Yen may be the best fighter in terms of practical combat in East Asian cinema.[74][75]
World class fighters, such as formerStrikeforceMiddleweight ChampionCung Le and former WorldBoxingHeavyweight ChampionMike Tyson, who have worked with Yen in the filmsBodyguards and Assassins andIp Man 3, respectively, have both claimed that Yen is an incredible martial artist and would do well in authentic combat.[76] While filmingIp Man 3, crew members were worried that Tyson, who had been a professional boxer, would accidentally injure Yen. However, it was ultimately Yen who fractured Tyson's finger while using his elbow to block Tyson's punches.[77] Tyson insisted on finishing the scene before he was treated in hospital.[78]
Yen was considered one of the premiere action choreographers in the world, having been invited by Hollywood to choreograph blockbusters such asBlade II,Highlander: Endgame, andShanghai Knights. Throughout the East Asian cinematic universe, he remained the principal action choreographer for most of his movies and has won multiple awards for his action choreography.
Yen's most famous works include films such asFlash Point andSPL: Sha Po Lang. He has mentioned that the main differences in East Asian styles of filmmaking and Hollywood are with regards to freedom and control. In the East Asian film industry, the action choreographer takes over the scene during the fight scene. This means that for action scenes filmed in East Asia, the choreographer becomes the director and is in full control over camera placements, camera angles, and the relationship between the drama and the action; therefore themain director is not needed at all. While in Hollywood, on the other hand, Yen explains that the action choreographer simply choreographs the actions with the director, who still maintains full control of such settings and camera angles.[80]
Yen was the fight choreographer for the 2010 filmLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen. For this film, Yen mentioned that he includedJeet Kune Do elements as a tribute to the American actor and martial artistBruce Lee, who played Chen Zhen in the 1972 filmFist of Fury.[81] Furthermore, he incorporated many MMA elements in the film, coupled with the use ofWing Chun. Yen also stated that the concept behind Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do is similar to that of MMA, hence the incorporation of many forms of martial arts was a necessity in the film.[82]
Donnie Yen regaining his physique in 2016 forXXX: Return of Xander Cage, after losing weight forIp Man 3 andRogue One.
Yen is renowned for his physical fitness, strength, and speed achieved through his use of a strict and disciplinedfitness regime.[84]
However, despite his muscular build, Yen has gained attention for his dedication to his roles and for the lengths to which he goes to achieve the physical build and appearance of the characters he plays. In 2007, Yen lost over 14 kg (30 pounds) to reach the weight of 54 kg (120 pounds) to better portray the slenderIp Man and the techniques of Wing Chun, which focuses on techniques and not strength.[85] He did so through a very strict regimen of limiting himself to a plain diet consisting mainly of vegetables.[86]
In 2010, still fresh offIp Man 2, Yen was cast asChen Zhen inLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen, who was originally portrayed byBruce Lee. He had to regain his muscular physique for the role and took 6 months through a precise and dedicated diet routine.[87] He maintained this bulk and physique while filmingThe Lost Bladesman, in which he playsGuan Yu, a Chinese general known for his size and spear-fighting abilities.[88]
Yen met his first wife, Hong Kong advertising executive Leung Zing-ci (Chinese:梁靜慈), in 1990. They began dating in 1990. After three years of dating, they married secretly in the United States in November 1993. The marriage ended in less than a year. After their divorce was finalized, Leung realized that she was pregnant with their son, who was born in 1995.[91][92]
Yen married former beauty queenCissy Wang after three months of dating in 2003. The couple have two children.[91]
Yen became a US citizen in 1974 but renounced it in 2010 to become a Hong Kong citizen again.[1][2]
In 2012, Yen and his wife Cissy co-founded Go.Asia, an online charity platform encouraging people to participate in charity work and serve local communities.[93]
In October 2014, Yen was invited to be a guest speaker in front of a crowd of 20,000 youths forWe DayVancouver, where he spoke about the hardships he faced growing up and how he overcame difficulties.[94]
In 2015, Yen visited refugee camps in Thailand, bringing donations and gifts for the refugees.[95] Yen is an ambassador for the international charitySave the Children.
In December 2015, Yen established a charitable fund, Yen's Honour Protection Fund, with the purpose of empowering celebrities to use the law to defend their honor and reputation. Yen said the fund "[seeks] to assist and render help to everyone who needs it, most importantly to heal and repair the hearts and dignities which have been affected." This fund was established after Yen won a lawsuit against Geng Weiguo (AKA Tan Bing), who defamed Yen and hired netizens to threaten Yen's family.[96]
In February 2020, in light of thecoronavirus pandemic in China and the rest of the world, Yen stepped in to donate HK$1 million to frontline medical workers inWuhan. He also produced and dedicated a short clip to thank all medical workers in China in their fight against the coronavirus; the clip was uploaded on Chinese social media site Weibo, where Yen has over 11 million followers. He donated a painting done by himself and his two children, to the frontline medical workers.[97]
In 2023, Yen was appointed to theChinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) as a representative of the "Literature and Arts" sector, replacing outgoing fellow action starJackie Chan.[98] He stated that he was a Chinese patriot and requested that his film roles in Hollywood must positively represent the Chinese.[99]
