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Photo of Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen

Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, Editor, Additional CreditsBorn July 27, 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).

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • Ip Man
  • Ip Man 2
  • Ip Man 3
  • Ip Man 4: The Finale
  • Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker
  • Dragon
  • Flash Point
  • Kill Zone
  • Kung Fu Killer
  • Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
  • Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy
  • Seven Swords
  • Bodyguards and Assassins
  • 14 Blades
  • Dragon Tiger Gate
  • Raging Fire
  • The Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven's Palace
  • Chasing the Dragon
  • Special ID
  • The Lost Bladesman
  • An Empress and the Warriors
  • Big Brother
  • Iceman
  • Wing Chun

Known For

  • Ip Man
  • John Wick: Chapter 4
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
  • Ip Man 2
  • Mulan
  • Ip Man 3
  • xXx: Return of Xander Cage
  • Hero
  • Ip Man 4: The Finale
  • Blade II
  • Shanghai Knights
  • Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
  • Dragon
  • Flash Point
  • Kill Zone
  • Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker
  • Kung Fu Killer
  • Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
  • Iron Monkey
  • Bodyguards and Assassins
  • 14 Blades
  • Dragon Tiger Gate
  • Raging Fire
  • The Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven's Palace

Featured Videos

  • Caine
    CaineJohn Wick: Chapter 4Behind the Scenes
  • Donnie Yen On Why He Did The Movie
    Donnie Yen On Why He Did The MovieMulanBehind the Scenes
  • xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage: Donnie Yen On What Drew Him To The Film
    xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage: Donnie Yen On What Drew Him To The FilmxXx: Return of Xander CageBehind the Scenes
  • Donnie Yen On What Attracted Him To The Role
    Donnie Yen On What Attracted Him To The RoleRogue One: A Star Wars StoryBehind the Scenes
  • Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen (Identities)
    Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen (Identities)Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen ZhenScene
  • Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen (Clip 2)
    Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen (Clip 2)Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen ZhenScene
  • Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen (Dojo)
    Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen (Dojo)Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen ZhenScene

Donnie Yen Filmography

2025
You Are the Best · as Alex Yang
2024
The Prosecutor · as Fok Chi Ho
2024
Armor Hero Star Ray (TV Series) · as General Qiu Bai
2023
2023
Sakra · as Qiao Feng / Xiao Feng
2022
The Monkey King: The Legend Begins · as Sun Wukong / Monkey King
2022
2022
New Kung Fu Cult Master 2 · as Zhang Sanfeng
2022
New Kung Fu Cult Master · as Zhang Sanfeng
2021
2020
2020
Mulan · as Commander Tung
2020
2019
2018
2018
Big Brother · as Henry Chen Xia / Chan Hak
2017
2017
Chasing the Dragon · as Crippled Ho
2017
2016
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story · as Chirrut Imwe
2016
Roast! (TV Series)
2016
2015
Ip Man 3 · as Ip Man
2015
An Inspector Calls · as Band Members
2014
2014
Nature Is Speaking (TV Series) · as Saan-Wu Ziu (coral Reef)
2014
Iceman · as Ying
2014
2014
Golden Chickensss · as Yip Man
2013
Special ID · as Dragon Chan
2013
Together · as Chan Kwok-Wah
2012
2011
Dragon · as Liu Jinxi / Tang Long
2011
The Lost Bladesman · as Guan Yunchang
2011
All's Well, Ends Well 2011 · as Cheng Yu-Keung / Arnold Cheng
2010
2010
Running Man (TV Series)
2010
Ip Man 2 · as Ip Man
2010
14 Blades · as Qinglong
2009
2009
2009
All's Well, Ends Well 2009 · as Wedding Guest
2008
Ip Man · as Yip Man
2008
Painted Skin · as Pang Yong
2008
An Empress and the Warriors · as General Muyong Xuehu
2007
2006
2005
Kill Zone · as Inspector Ma Kwun
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
2000
Highlander: Endgame · as Jin Ke
1999
1998
1998
Ballistic Kiss · as Cat Lee
1997
Legend of the Wolf · as Fung Man-Hin
1997
Black Rose II · as Boxing School Owner
1996
Satan Returns · as Nam
1996
Iron Monkey 2 · as Iron Monkey
1995
Fist of Fury (1995) (TV Series) · 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 (TV Series) · as Hung Hei-Gun
1994
Wing Chun · as Leung Pok To
1993
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
A New Life (TV Series)
1991
Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead · as Shiang Chin-Fei
1991
The Crime File (TV Series)
1991
Crystal Hunt · as Leung / Brett Chan
1990
Tiger Cage II · as Dragon Yau
1989
In the Line of Duty IV · as Captain Donnie Yan
1989
Mo Min Kap Sin Fung (TV Series) · 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 Chung

2023
The Oscars · as Self - Presenter
2023
2017
2017
Hollywood First Look Features (TV Series) · as Self
2016
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - World Premiere · as Self - Chirrut Imwe, Rogue One
2016
The Star Wars Show (TV Series) · as Self - Chirrut Îmwe: Rogue One
2016
CCTV Spring Festival Gala · as Self - Performer
2010
The Talk (TV Series) · as Self
2009
2005
Made In Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self
2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self
2002
1996
Access Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self
1994
Extra (TV Series) · as Self
1994
Cinema of Vengeance · as Self (uncredited)
1981
Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self
1975
Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self
1953
The Academy Awards (TV Series) · as Self

1995

2021
Raging Fire · as Action Director
2018
Big Brother · as Action Director
2014
Kung Fu Killer · as Action Director
2011
Dragon · as Action Director
2007
Flash Point · as Action Director
2006
Dragon Tiger Gate · as Action Director
2006
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 Director

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