Over the years, Asian Actresses have invaded Hollywood. They have not only made good films but left their marks as well. Western audiences have been mesmerized by their exotic looks and their caliber as actresses. Some of them are…
Freida Pinto
Slumdog Millionaire’s Freida Pinto was born in Mumbai, India. Her mother is a school principal and her father is a banker. Before becoming an actress she was active in the Indian modeling circuit represented by Elite Model Management India. She got her big break when she auditioned for a role in the internationally acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire, director Danny Boyle picked her out for the role of Latika, the lead actress in the film. The film launched her into international stardom. Her performance has been praised by award giving bodies worldwide. She is currently filming in an untitled film yet by Director Woody Allen.
Gong Li
China-born-Singaporean Citizen Gong Li is widely recognized in Hollywood films such us “Memoirs of a Geisha”, “Miami Vice” and “Hannibal Rising”. She first became famous through her collaboration with Chinese director Zhang Yimou and credited with helping bring Chinese Cinema to Europe and United States. She avoided Hollywood for many years because of her lack of confidence in speaking English but was finally able to star in English speaking movies and learn all her lines phonetically. She will soon be seen in the movie “Shanghai” with John Cusack and Chow Yun Fat, the movie is scheduled for 2010 release.
Zhang Ziyi
A multi-awarded actress at a young age, she is famous for her role as Jen in the phenomenally successful “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. Born in Beijing and joined the Beijing Dance Company at the age of 11, she then entered China’s Center Academy of Drama and started acting. When Zhang was 19 she got to play the lead role in the movie “The Road Home” in which she won a Silver Bear Award in the Berlin Film Festival. After the international success of “Crouching Tiger…”, Zhang started acting in Hollywood Films such as “Rush Hour 2”, Memoirs of a Geisha, Horsemen” and lent her voice in the animated movie “TMNT”
Michelle Yeoh
The former Miss Malaysia 1983 started her movie career after winning the title. She was offered a television commercial with Jackie Chan in Hong Kong. She was spotted by a talent scout and was offered an acting career. She made countless action movies in Hong Kong until Hollywood came knocking to her door. Michelle has already starred in several big-budgeted movies in Hollywood like the 1997 James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies, Sunshine and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. She also worked with many famous and multi-awarded actors and directors in the USA.
