--- name: "Joan Chen" canonical: "https://film.one/person/joan-chen" fi1m_id: "joan-chen" imdb_id: "nm0001040" tmdb_id: 6720 wikidata_id: "Q270672" roles: ["Actor"] born: "26 April 1961" reviewed_on_fi1m: 3 average_fi1m_score: 78 average_as: "actor" average_over: 2 updated: "2026-10-01T19:43:09.626777+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Joan Chen ## Identity Joan Chen - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/joan-chen - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** joan-chen - **IMDb ID:** nm0001040 - **TMDB ID:** 6720 - **Wikidata ID:** Q270672 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Chen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q270672, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001040/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6720 Actor. Born 26 April 1961 in Shanghai, China. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 26 April 1961, Shanghai, China - **Active:** 1987–present - **Also known as:** Chen Chong, Joan C. Chen, Joan Chen Chong - **Titles on Fi1m:** 3: 2 acting, 1 other - **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 2 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (1), 1990s 86 (1), 2000s 76 (1) - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Chen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q270672, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001040/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6720 ## Coming up - *The Evil Inside* (2026-10-29), as Ho Jen-Jen / "Golden Phoenix" ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*The Last Emperor*](https://film.one/film/the-last-emperor.md) (80) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Joan Chen > Joan Chen makes supporting characters worth staying with. We value her ability to suggest unhappiness without announcing it, though *The Last Emperor* leaves us wishing the film would give her more time. In *The Last Emperor* (1987), Joan Chen's Wan Jung has an unhappiness that survives all the imperial ceremony around her. Chen does not need an explanatory speech to make it felt. We were moved by the way she suggested distress without asking the film to pause and underline it. Bernardo Bertolucci's absorbing historical drama can keep its adult protagonist at a frustrating distance. Chen gives us someone whose feelings we want to understand, even when the story is hurrying elsewhere. That restraint matters because the surrounding performances are not always so supple. Peter O'Toole's Reginald Johnston brings a welcome lightness, but some exchanges elsewhere remain stiff. Chen makes the emotional distance feel like something a person is living through, rather than simply a problem with the drama. There is a limit to what she can do with the time allotted: as individual relationships become hurried, we miss the fuller part she might have had. Her roles have not always rewarded that skill. *Little Flower* (1979) made her a teenage star in China, before *The Last Emperor* brought an international breakthrough. She worked with David Lynch as Josie Packard in *Twin Peaks* (1990). Hollywood's tendency to cast her as exotic or villainous figures restricted the parts available to her. There is something wasteful about hiring an actor who can suggest a complicated private life and then repeatedly asking her to be mysterious. Frustration with the available parts helped take her into directing with *Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl* (1998). *Autumn in New York* (2000) followed, while the acting continued across American and Chinese productions. Her work as Mrs Yee in Ang Lee's *Lust, Caution* (2007) is another reason not to judge her acting career solely by the parts Hollywood found for her. The renewed attention for her grounded performance as Chungsing Wang in *Dìdi* (2024) is welcome. A contemporary family drama gives her something beyond the familiar assignments in mystery and imperial unhappiness. For a first encounter, though, we would choose *The Last Emperor*. Allow for some stiff exchanges around her, and do not expect her to have as much screen time as we would like. ## Biography Joan Chen, also credited as Chen Chong, is a Chinese-born American actress and director. Born in Shanghai, she trained at the Shanghai Film Academy and began her career in China. She rose to prominence in her native country with her performance in the 1979 film *Little Flower*, for which she won China's Best Actress award. Chen moved to the United States in 1981 and gained international recognition for her role as Wan Jung in Bernardo Bertolucci's *The Last Emperor* (1987). She is also known for her work in the television series *Twin Peaks* (1990) and for directing the feature film *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* (1998). *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, ew.com.* ## On Fi1m (3) ### Performed in (2) — the average rests on these - *Lust, Caution* (2007), Fi1m 76, as Mrs. Yee — [page](https://film.one/film/lust-caution.md) - *The Last Emperor* (1987), Fi1m 80, as Wan Jung — [page](https://film.one/film/the-last-emperor.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Twin Peaks* (1990), Fi1m 86, as Josie Packard (archive footage) — [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md) ## Complete filmography (108) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Evil Inside* (2026), as Ho Jen-Jen / "Golden Phoenix" - *Remarkably Bright Creatures* (2026), as Janice Kim - *No Other Love* (2026), as Ms. Miao - *Montreal, My Beautiful* (2026), as Feng Xia - *Oh. What. Fun.* (2025), as Jeanne Wang-Wasserman - *The Wedding Banquet* (2025), as May Chen - *The Truck* (2024), Executive Producer - *The Making of Dìdi* (2024), Actor - *Dìdi (弟弟)* (2024), as Chungsing Wang · Executive Producer - *A Murder at the End of the World* (2023), series, as Lu Mei - *Under the Light* (2023), as He Xiuli - *Hachiko* (2023), as Li Jiazhen - *Logic Paralyzes the Heart* (2022), as Cyborg #1 - *Hero* (2022), Screenplay, Director - *Breathe* (2021), as Producer - *Ava* (2020), as Toni - *The Iron Hammer* (2020), Director - *Tigertail* (2020), as Yuan - *Sheep Without a Shepherd* (2019), as La Wen - *The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up* (2018), series, Actor - *The House That Never Dies II* (2017), as 医生 - *The One* (2017), as 汤母·柯露思 - *Wonderland* (2017), as Susan - *Cairo Declaration* (2015), Actor - *Nature Is Speaking* (2015), series, as Sky / Tiankong - *Lady of the Dynasty* (2015), as Consort Wu - *You Are My Sunshine* (2015), Actor - *旗* (2015), Actor - *Marco Polo* (2014), series, as Empress Chabi - *For Love or Money* (2014), as Xu's mother - *Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces* (2014), as Josie Packard - *Meng's Palace* (2013), series, Actor - *Serangoon Road* (2013), series, as Patricia Cheng - *White Frog* (2013), as Irene Young - *笑傲江湖* (2013), as Dongfang Bubai, Yue Lingshan - *Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties* (2012), series, as Empress Wenxian of Sui - *Double Xposure* (2012), as Dr. Hao - *Let It Be* (2012), Actor - *Passion Island* (2012), as Joanna - *Hemingway & Gellhorn* (2012), as Madame Chiang Kai Shek - *Shanghai Strangers* (2012), Director, Writer - *1911* (2011), as Longyu - *Color Me Love* (2010), Actor - *Love in Disguise* (2010), as Joan - *Journey to the West* (2010), series, as Guanyin - *Mao’s Last Dancer* (2009), as Niang - *人到中年* (2009), series, Actor - *All God's Children Can Dance* (2008), as Evelyn - *24 City* (2008), as Xiao Hua - *Fringe* (2008), series, as Reiko — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/fringe.md) - *The Leap Years* (2008), as Li-Ann (age 48) - *Shi Qi* (2008), Actor - *Lust, Caution* (2007), as Mrs. Yee — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/lust-caution.md) - *The Sun Also Rises* (2007), as Dr. Lin - *The Home Song Stories* (2007), as Rose Hong / Hong Meigui - *Americanese* (2006), as Betty Nguyen - *Sunflower* (2005), as Zhang Xiuqing - *Cyber Wars* (2004), as Madame Ong - *Saving Face* (2004), as Ma - *Jasmine Women* (2004), as Elder Mo - *Autumn in New York* (2000), Director - *What's Cooking?* (2000), as Trinh Nguyen - *Purple Storm* (1999), as Shirley Kwan - *In a Class of His Own* (1999), as Linda Ching - *Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl* (1998), Director, Producer, Executive Producer, Screenplay - *Precious Find* (1996), as Camilla Jones - *Wild Side* (1996), as Virginia Chow - *Judge Dredd* (1995), as Dr. Ilsa Hayden - *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Major Dara Talif - *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as Princess Jade (voice) - *The Hunted* (1995), as Kirina - *Red Rose White Rose* (1994), as Wang Jiaohui - *On Deadly Ground* (1994), as Masu - *Golden Gate* (1994), as Marilyn Song - *Heaven & Earth* (1993), as Mama - *Temptation of a Monk* (1993), as Princess Hong-e - Scarlet / Qing-shou - Violet - *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Elizabeth Wu — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md) - *Shadow of a Stranger* (1992), as Vanessa - *Steel Justice* (1992), as Nicole Loa - *Children of the Dragon* (1992), series, as Jin-Juan - *Strangers* (1992), as The Girl (Small Sounds and Tilting Shadows) - *Turtle Beach* (1992), as Minou - *Nightmare Cafe* (1992), series, as Cafe Customer - *Wedlock* (1991), as Noelle - *Twin Peaks* (1990), series, as Jocelyn Packard, Josie Packard (archive footage) — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md) - *Twin Peaks* (1989), as Jocelyn Packard - *The Blood of Heroes* (1989), as Kidda - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Connie - *Dim Sum Take-Out* (1988), Actor - *The Last Emperor* (1987), as Wan Jung — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-last-emperor.md) - *Wiseguy* (1987), series, Actor - *The Night Stalker* (1987), as Mai Wing - *Tai-Pan* (1986), as May-May - *Goodbye My Hero* (1986), Actor - *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Lin - *Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart* (1985), as Young M.J. Player - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as May Ying — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *Knight Rider* (1982), series, as Su-Lin - *Matt Houston* (1982), series, Actor - *Peking Encounter* (1982), as GUIDE - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Mei Lai, Young Mahjong Player, Marilyn Song - *Awakening* (1981), as Su Xiaomei - *The Little Flower* (1979), as 赵小花 - *A Loyal Overseas Chinese Family* (1979), as 黄思华 - *Youth* (1977), as Shen Yamei - *English*, Director - *Flayer*, Actor - *Tonight at Noon*, as Joan ## Gallery - ![From left: Laureen Chew, Rita Yee, actors Amy Hill, Joan Chen and Cora Miao on a bench in Portsmouth Square Park, San Francisco, California. Photograph by Nancy (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/119089/gallery-8ef69bd4d0ff.jpg) From left: Laureen Chew, Rita Yee, actors Amy Hill, Joan Chen and Cora Miao on a bench in Portsmouth Square Park, San Francisco, California. Photograph by Nancy (2014) — Nancy Wong, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/DIMSUM29.jpg/1280px-DIMSUM29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Actor Joan Chen in fantasy make-up by make-up artist Lisa Jear. San Francisco, California 1983. Photo by Nancy Wong](https://film.one/media/person/119089/gallery-65a4be4ef4dc.jpg) Actor Joan Chen in fantasy make-up by make-up artist Lisa Jear. San Francisco, California 1983. Photo by Nancy Wong — Nancy Wong, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/JoanChen.jpg/1280px-JoanChen.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Joan Chen (in wig as Marilyn Monroe) in a scene from "Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart" in 1983 photograph by Nancy Wong in Sausalito, California.](https://film.one/media/person/119089/gallery-0558668a32e1.jpg) Joan Chen (in wig as Marilyn Monroe) in a scene from "Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart" in 1983 photograph by Nancy Wong in Sausalito, California. — Nancy Wong, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Joan_Chen_%28as_Marilyn_Monroe%29_in_a_scene_from_%22Dim_Sum-_A_Little_Bit_of_Heart%22.jpg/1280px-Joan_Chen_%28as_Marilyn_Monroe%29_in_a_scene_from_%22Dim_Sum-_A_Little_Bit_of_Heart%22.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Joan Chen at the 30th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, discussing her 1998 film Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/119089/gallery-804af8a35271.jpg) Joan Chen at the 30th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, discussing her 1998 film Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (2012) — jchan7388, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/Joan_Chen_20120309.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Joan Chen](https://film.one/media/person/119089/gallery-f321f35c8117.jpg) Joan Chen — Image via TMDB - ![Joan Chen](https://film.one/media/person/119089/gallery-7d6384e80f00.jpg) Joan Chen — Image via TMDB - ![Joan Chen](https://film.one/media/person/119089/gallery-ed0edaeac01b.jpg) Joan Chen — Image via TMDB - ![Joan Chen at the red carpet for "The Wedding Banquet" at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Please attribute to Casey Nedelka if used elsewhere](https://film.one/media/person/119089/gallery-bd7a46cf8c49.jpg) Joan Chen at the red carpet for "The Wedding Banquet" at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Please attribute to Casey Nedelka if used elsewhere — ReverendPoppins, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Joan_Chen_Sundance_2025.jpg/1280px-Joan_Chen_Sundance_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Joan Chen at the red carpet for "The Wedding Banquet" at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Please attribute to Casey Nedelka if used elsewhere](https://film.one/media/person/119089/gallery-7e1e447415a2.jpg) Joan Chen at the red carpet for "The Wedding Banquet" at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Please attribute to Casey Nedelka if used elsewhere — ReverendPoppins, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Joan_Chen_Sundance_2025_Cropped.jpg/1280px-Joan_Chen_Sundance_2025_Cropped.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Other awards — 6 won, 6 nominated - AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role 2007: AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (won), for *The Home Song Stories* - Asian Film Award for Best Actress 2007: Asian Film Award for Best Actress (nominated), for *The Home Song Stories* - Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress 2007: Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress (won), for *The Sun Also Rises* - Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress 2007: Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress (won), for *The Home Song Stories* - Independent Spirit Awards 2000: Best First Feature (nominated), for *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* - Golden Horse Award for Best Director 1998: Golden Horse Award for Best Director (won), for *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* - Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress 1995: Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress (nominated), for *Red Rose White Rose* - Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress 1994: Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress (won), for *Red Rose White Rose* - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress 1994: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress (nominated), for *On Deadly Ground* - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress 1987: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress (nominated), for *Tai-Pan* - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst New Star 1987: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst New Star (nominated), for *Tai-Pan* - Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actress 1980: Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actress (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/joan-chen