Donnie Yen
Known for: Acting
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).
Filmography
Series
Running Man
2010
Series
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self - Guest
2003
Film
John Wick: Chapter 4
Caine
2023
Series
The Oscars
Self
1953
Film
xXx: Return of Xander Cage
Xiang
2017
Series
鲁豫有约一日行
2016
Film
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Chirrut Imwe
2016
Film
Hero
Sky
2002
Series
Roast
2017
Series
Chef Nic
2014
Film
Big Brother
Henry Chen Xia
2018
Series
Club Sparkle
2009
Film
Mulan
Commander Tung
2020
Series
The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up
2018
Film
Blade II
Snowman
2002
Film
The Prosecutor
Fok Chi Ho
2024
Film
Sakra
Qiao Feng / Xiao Feng
2023
Series
Be My Guest
2006
Film
Ip Man
Yip Man
2008
Series
File Noir
1989
Film
New Dragon Gate Inn
Eunuch Tso Siu Yan
1992
Film
The Monkey King
Sun Wukong / Monkey King
2014
Film
Raging Fire
Bong
2021
Film
Once Upon a Time in China II
Commander Lan
1992
Film
Flash Point
Ma
2007
Film
SPL: Kill Zone
Inspector Ma Kwun
2005
Film
Ip Man 3
Ip Man
2015
Film
Shanghai Knights
Wu Chow
2003
Series
The Kung Fu Master
Hung Hei-gun
1994
Series
Fist of Fury
陈真
1995
Film
Kung Fu Jungle
Hahou Mo
2014
Film
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
Silent Wolf
2016
Film
Bodyguards and Assassins
Sum Chung-Yang
2009
Series
A New Life
1991
Film
Dragon
Liu Jinxi / Tang Long
2011
Film
The Twins Effect II
General Lone
2004
Film
Ip Man 4: The Finale
Ip Man
2019
Series
Flying Squads
Cheung Ho-nam
1989
Film
The Founding of a Republic
Tian Han
2009
Film
14 Blades
Qinglong
2010
Film
Chasing the Dragon
Crippled Ho
2017
Film
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
Chen Zhen
2010
Film
Dragon Tiger Gate
Tiger Wong
2006
Film
Seven Swords
Chu Zhaonan
2005
Film
Highlander: Endgame
Jin Ke
2000
Film
Painted Skin
Pang Yong
2008
Film
Iceman
Ying
2014
Film
Tiger Cage II
Dragon Yau
1990
Film
Iron Monkey
Wong Kei-ying
1993
Film
Wing Chun
Leung Pok To
1994
Film
In the Line of Duty 4
Captain Donnie Yan
1989
Series
Crush Over
2023
Film
An Empress and the Warriors
General Muyong Xuehu
2008
Film
Special ID
Dragon Chan
2013
Film
New Kung Fu Cult Master
Zhang Sanfeng
2022
Film
Enter the Fat Dragon
Fallon Zhu
2020
Series
The Crime File
1991
Film
New Kung Fu Cult Master 2
Zhang Sanfeng
2022
Film
The Lost Bladesman
Guan Yunchang
2011
Film
All's Well, End's Well 2011
Cheng Yu-keung / Arnold Cheng
2011
Film
All's Well, Ends Well
Carl Tam
2012
Series
Bravo Youngsters!
2020
Film
Legend of the Wolf
Fung Man-hin
1997
Film
Kung Fu Stuntmen
2021
Film
All's Well, End's Well 2009
Wedding Guest (cameo)
2009
Film
Love on the Rocks
Victor Tsui
2004
Film
Tiger Cage
Terry
1988
Film
Mismatched Couples
Eddie
1985
Film
Golden Chickensss
Yip Man
2014
Film
An Inspector Calls
Band Members
2015
Film
The Saint of Gamblers
Lung Chat
1995
Film
The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead
Shiang Chin-Fei
1991
Film
Caine
Caine
Film
Ballistic Kiss
Cat Lee
1998
Film
The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
Self
2017
Film
Cinema of Vengeance
Self (uncredited)
1994
Film
Butterfly and Sword
Yip Cheung
1993
Film
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
Self
2009
Film
Heroes Among Heroes
So Chan
1993
Film
Polar Rescue
A De
2022
Film
Crystal Hunt
Leung / Brett Chan
1992
Series
2次重塑
2020
Film
Satan Returns
Nam
1996
Film
Guardians of Martial Arts
Master Yen
2017
Film
City of Darkness
Ozone
1999
Film
The Last Conflict
Dickson Kwan
1988
Film
Iceman: The Time Traveler
Ying
2018
Film
You are the Best
Alex Yang
2025
Film
Ip Man 2
Ip Man
2010
Film
Iron Monkey 2
Iron Monkey
1996
Film
Cheetah on Fire
Ronnie
1992
Film
Drunken Tai Chi
Chan Chuen Chung
1984
Film
The Monkey King: The Legend Begins
Sun Wukong / Monkey King
2022
Film
'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece
Self
2004
Film
Circus Kids
Danton Lee
1994
Kung Fu
Film
Hong Kong Superstars
Self
2001
Film
Together
Chan Kwok-Wah
2013
Film
义侠勇闯上海滩
唐山
1997
Film
Shanghai Affairs
Tong Shan
1998
Film
The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'
Self
2002
Film
Black Rose II
Boxing School Owner
1997
Film
High Voltage
Chiang Ho-Wa
1995
Film
Revenge of the Kung Fu Master
Hung-Hei Kwun
1994
Film
Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge
Chen Zhen
2001
Film
Ip Man 5
Ip Man
Film
The Kung Fu Master
Hung Hei-Kwun
2002
Film
Fist of Fury
Chen-Jun
2002
Film
Flash Point: Resurgence
Det. Sgt. Ma Jun
Film
Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991
1991
Film
Reflections on 'the Little Dragon'
2001