Michelle Yeoh was a former Miss Malaysia who rose to prominence in 1990s Hong Kong film industry. Throughout her lengthy career, she has received hundreds of international honours and plaudits for her work in over 50 films, and last night we witnessed her greatest success to date: the Oscars. Making Everything Everywhere All At Once, as her highest-rated film.
The Ipoh-born actress is a well-known paragon of Asian portrayal, and she has served as an inspiration to old and new fans alike. With an impressive résumé that encompasses a diverse spectrum of acting parts, here is our selection of Michelle Yeoh‘s most memorable roles to watch.
Yes, Madam!, 1985
Throughout the fast-paced combat scenes, Yeoh displays her jaw-dropping martial arts talents while preserving the film’s cheerful tone. Although not as widely recognized as some of her other early 1990s Hong Kong action films, Yeoh’s effort in Yes, Madam! should not be disregarded.
Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997
Tomorrow Never Dies is a defining moment in Yeoh’s career since it marks her first entry into Western filmmaking, no less through the James Bond films. Yeoh has demonstrated that she is not only a superb martial artist actress, but also one who can conjure emotions when necessary, proving her talent.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2000
After her performance in the James Bond movie, Yeoh’s breakout role came around the turn of the 2000 with Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The film is widely known for one of the finest combat scenes in movie history. Yeoh garnered multiple Best Actress nods for her performance in the film, which include the BAFTAs and the Saturn Awards.
Memoirs of a Geisha, 2005
The plot opens in the late 1920s, with Yeoh as Mameha, a strong matriarch who teaches her young protégé the traditions of living as a geisha. The hiring of non-Japanese performers, particularly Yeoh and Zhang, in the most significant parts caused considerable criticism at the time, although their performances were lauded.
The Lady, 2012
Yeoh takes on the difficult task of portraying Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in Luc Besson’s The Lady. The movie centres around the romance of Aung San Suu and her husband, Oxford researcher, Michael Aris (played by David Thewlis). The magnificent tropical landscape and cinematography, as well as Yeoh and Thewlis’ talents, were praised. Yeoh received a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Film for her efforts.
Crazy Rich Asians, 2018
Yeoh appeared in Crazy Rich Asians, a romantic comedy movie adapted from the 2013 novel of the same name. The movie received widespread acclaim, with critics praising the film’s tone, cast, and graphical grandeur. Yeoh received some of the highest praises of her career through the film, with many believing her performance as an Oscar worthy contender for Best Supporting Actress.
Star Trek: Discovery, 2017-2022
Star Trek: Discovery is a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, which follows the crew of the spaceship Discovery. Yeoh portrayed two characters: Captain Philippa Georgiou, the mentor to Michael Burnham, and Emperor Georgiou of the Terran Empire, a grim Mirror Universe version of the character. Yeoh’s acting was so well received that there is a possibility of her character having its own sequel.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, 2022
Yeoh starred as kung fu deity, Ying Nan, in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, a revered leader and guardian of Ta Lo, a mysterious city only accessible through a gateway on the opposite side of a magical bamboo forest.
