Donnie Yen
Acteur, Producer, Regisseur, Schrijver, Redacteur
27 juli 1963 (62 years)
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).
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).
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
Cinematografie
| 2025 | You Are the Best · as Alex Yang |
| 2024 | The Prosecutor · as Fok Chi Ho |
| 2023 | John Wick: Chapter 4 · as Caine |
| 2023 | Sakra · as Qiao Feng / Xiao FengOp Plex |
| 2022 | The Monkey King: The Legend Begins · as Sun Wukong / Monkey King |
| 2022 | Polar Rescue · as A DeOp Plex |
| 2022 | New Kung Fu Cult Master 2 · as Zhang Sanfeng |
| 2022 | New Kung Fu Cult Master · as Zhang Sanfeng |
| 2021 | Raging Fire · as BongOp Plex |
| 2020 | Kung Fu StuntmenOp Plex |
| 2020 | Mulan · as Commander Tung |
| 2020 | Enter the Fat Dragon · as Fallon ZhuOp Plex |
| 2019 | Ip Man 4: The Finale · as Ip ManOp Plex |
| 2018 | |
| 2018 | Iceman: The Time Traveller · as YingOp Plex |
| 2018 | Big Brother · as Henry Chen XiaOp Plex |
| 2017 | On That Night... While We Dream · as Master Yen |
| 2017 | Chasing the Dragon · as Crippled HoOp Plex |
| 2017 | xXx: Return of Xander Cage · as Xiang |
| 2016 | Rogue One: A Star Wars Story · as Chirrut Imwe |
| 2016 | |
| 2016 | Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny · as Silent Wolf |
| 2015 | Ip Man 3 · as Ip ManOp Plex |
| 2015 | An Inspector Calls · as Band Members |
| 2014 | Kung Fu Killer · as Hahou MoOp Plex |
| 2014 | Nature Is Speaking · as Saan-Wu Ziu (coral Reef) |
| 2014 | Iceman · as YingOp Plex |
| 2014 | The Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven's Palace · as Sun Wukong / Monkey KingOp Plex |
| 2014 | Golden Chickensss · as Yip Man |
| 2013 | Special ID · as Dragon ChanOp Plex |
| 2013 | Together · as Chan Kwok-Wah |
| 2012 | All's Well, Ends Well 2012 · as Carl Tam |
| 2011 | Dragon · as Liu Jinxi / Tang LongOp Plex |
| 2011 | The Lost Bladesman · as Guan YunchangOp Plex |
| 2011 | All's Well, Ends Well 2011 · as Cheng Yu-Keung / Arnold Cheng |
| 2010 | Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen · as Chen ZhenOp Plex |
| 2010 | |
| 2010 | Ip Man 2 · as Ip ManOp Plex |
| 2010 | 14 Blades · as QinglongOp Plex |
| 2009 | Bodyguards and Assassins · as Sum Chung-YangOp Plex |
| 2009 | The Founding of a Republic · as Tian Han |
| 2009 | All's Well, Ends Well 2009 · as Wedding Guest (cameo) |
| 2009 | |
| 2008 | Ip Man · as Yip ManOp Plex |
| 2008 | Painted Skin · as Pang Yong |
| 2008 | An Empress and the Warriors · as General Muyong XuehuOp Plex |
| 2007 | Flash Point · as MaOp Plex |
| 2006 | Dragon Tiger Gate · as Tiger WongOp Plex |
| 2005 | Kill Zone · as Inspector Ma KwunOp Plex |
| 2005 | Seven Swords · as Chu Zhaonan |
| 2005 | Kung Fu Master · as Hung Hei-Kwun |
| 2004 | The Twins Effect II · as General Lone |
| 2004 | Love on the Rocks · as Victor Tsui |
| 2003 | Shanghai Knights · as Wu Chow |
| 2002 | Hero · as Sky |
| 2002 | Fist of Fury · as Chen-Jun |
| 2002 | Blade II · as Snowman |
| 2001 | Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge · as Chen Zhen |
| 2000 | Highlander: Endgame · as Jin Ke |
| 1999 | City of Darkness · as OzoneOp Plex |
| 1998 | Shanghai Affairs · as Tong ShanOp Plex |
| 1998 | Ballistic Kiss · as Cat Lee |
| 1997 | Legend of the Wolf · as Fung Man-HinOp Plex |
| 1997 | Black Rose II · as Boxing School Owner |
| 1996 | Satan Returns · as Nam |
| 1996 | Iron Monkey 2 · as Iron MonkeyOp Plex |
| 1995 | Fist of Fury (1995) · as 陈真 |
| 1995 | The Saint of Gamblers · as Lung Chat |
| 1994 | Asian Cop: High Voltage · as Chiang Ho-Wa |
| 1994 | Circus Kids · as Danton Lee |
| 1994 | The Kung Fu Master · as Hung Hei-Gun |
| 1994 | Wing Chun · as Leung Pok ToOp Plex |
| 1993 | Heroes Among Heroes · as So ChanOp Plex |
| 1993 | Iron Monkey · as Wong Kei-Ying |
| 1993 | Butterfly and Sword · as Yip Cheung |
| 1992 | Dragon Inn · as Eunuch Tso Siu Yan |
| 1992 | Once Upon a Time in China II · as Commander Lan |
| 1992 | Cheetah on Fire · as Ronnie |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead · as Shiang Chin-Fei |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | Crystal Hunt · as Leung / Brett Chan |
| 1990 | Tiger Cage II · as Dragon Yau |
| 1989 | In the Line of Duty IV · as Captain Donnie YanOp Plex |
| 1989 | Mo Min Kap Sin Fung · as Tse Kwok-Tung (1989) |
| 1988 | Tiger Cage · as Terry |
| 1988 | The Last Conflict · as Dickson Kwan |
| 1985 | Mismatched Couples · as Eddie |
| 1984 | Drunken Tai Chi · as Chan Chuen ChungOp Plex |
| 2024 | |
| 2023 | SakraOp Plex |
| 2022 | Polar RescueOp Plex |
| 2021 | Raging FireOp Plex |
| 2021 | Wuhan Wuhan · as Executive Producer |
| 2020 | Enter the Fat DragonOp Plex |
| 2019 | Ip Man 4: The FinaleOp Plex |
| 2018 | Master Z: The Ip Man LegacyOp Plex |
| 2018 | Iceman: The Time TravellerOp Plex |
| 2018 | Big BrotherOp Plex |
| 2017 | Chasing the DragonOp Plex |
| 2014 | IcemanOp Plex |
| 2013 | Special IDOp Plex |
| 2007 | Flash PointOp Plex |
| 2006 | Dragon Tiger Gate · as Co-ProducerOp Plex |
| 1998 | |
| 1997 | Legend of the WolfOp Plex |
| 2023 | The Oscars · as Self - Presenter |
| 2023 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2017 | Hollywood First Look Features · as Self |
| 2016 | Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - World Premiere · as Self - Chirrut Imwe, Rogue One |
| 2016 | The Star Wars Show · as Self - Chirrut Îmwe: Rogue One |
| 2016 | CCTV Spring Festival Gala · as Self - Performer |
| 2010 | The Talk · as Self |
| 2009 | How Bruce Lee Changed the World · as Self |
| 2005 | Made In Hollywood · as Self |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! · as Self - Guest |
| 2002 | The Blood Pact: Making of Blade II · as Self |
| 1996 | Access Hollywood · as Self |
| 1994 | Extra · as Self |
| 1994 | Cinema of Vengeance · as Self (uncredited) |
| 1981 | Entertainment Tonight · as Self |
| 1975 | Good Morning America · as Self |
| 1953 | The Academy Awards · as Self |
| 2024 | |
| 2023 | SakraOp Plex |
| 2004 | |
| 1998 | Shanghai AffairsOp Plex |
| 1998 | |
| 1997 | Legend of the WolfOp Plex |
| 1994 |
| 1998 | |
| 1997 | Legend of the Wolf · as ScreenplayOp Plex |
| 2021 | Raging Fire · as Action DirectorOp Plex |
| 2018 | Big Brother · as Action DirectorOp Plex |
| 2014 | Kung Fu Killer · as Action DirectorOp Plex |
| 2011 | Dragon · as Action DirectorOp Plex |
| 2007 | Flash Point · as Action DirectorOp Plex |
| 2006 | Dragon Tiger Gate · as Action DirectorOp Plex |
| 2006 | Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker · as Action DirectorOp Plex |
| 2003 | The Twins Effect · as Co-Director |
| 2001 | The Princess Blade · as Action Director |
| 1999 | Moonlight Express · as Action Director |
| 1994 | Wing Chun · as Action DirectorOp Plex |