Malaysia’s shining star, Michelle Yeoh, has captured the attention of audiences worldwide with her captivating performances and undeniable talent. From her humble beginnings in Ipoh to becoming an international icon, this Malaysian actress has certainly made a name for herself in Hollywood and beyond. Join us as we delve into the life and career of Michelle Yeoh – from her journey to success on the big screen to the impact she’s had on Asian representation in entertainment. Get ready to be inspired by one of Malaysia’s most beloved actresses!
Michelle Yeoh’s Early Life
Michelle Yeoh was born on August 17, 1957, in the Malaysian town of Ipoh. Her parents were devout Catholics and encouraged their daughter to pursue a career in the arts. Yeoh studied dance at the University of Malaya before making her acting debut in 1981 in the television series “Ang Tanging Ina”. She went on to appear in numerous films and television shows throughout Asia before landing her breakout role as Commander Sulu in the 1988 film “Star Trek: The Motion Picture”. Yeoh’s performance won her several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Yeoh continued to appear in Hollywood blockbusters throughout the 1990s, including roles in “The Accidental Tourist” and “The Mummy Returns”. In 2002, she starred in the critically acclaimed martial arts drama “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, which earned her a nomination for two Academy Awards. Yeoh has since appeared in several more blockbuster films, including 2006’s “Kill Bill Volume 2” and 2013’s “The Great Gatsby”. She has also made appearances on television dramas such as “ER” and “House of Cards”.
Yeoh is married to British businessman Charlie Yeoh and they have two children.
Real Name/Full Name | Michelle Yeoh Choo-kheng |
Nick Name/Celebrated Name: | Michelle Yeoh |
Birth Place: | Ipoh, Malaysia |
Date Of Birth/Birthday: | 6 August 1962 |
Age/How Old: | 60 years old |
Height/How Tall: | In Centimeters – 163 cm In Feet and Inches – 5’ 4” |
Weight: | In Kilograms – 55 kg In Pounds – 121 lbs |
Eye Color: | Dark brown |
Hair Color: | Dark brown |
Parents Name: | Father – Yeoh Kian Teik Mother – Janet Yeoh |
Siblings: | N/A |
School: | SMK convent Ipoh |
College: | Royal Academy of Arts |
Religion: | Buddhist |
Nationality: | Malaysian |
Zodiac Sign: | Leo |
Gender: | Female |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Marital Status: | Married |
Boyfriend: | N/A |
Husband/Spouse Name: | Dickson Poon (m. 1988-1992), Jean Todt (m. 2004) |
Kids/Children Name: | N/A |
Profession: | Actress |
Net Worth: | $45 million |
Career of Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on December 12, 1957. Yeoh’s parents were both academics and she was raised in a intellectual household. She began her professional acting career at the age of 18 when she appeared in a Malaysian television series. Yeoh’s breakthrough performance came in the film The Accidental Spy (1988), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Yeoh continued to appear in critically acclaimed films throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including The Vengeance of Fu Manchu (1992), Lagaan (2001), and IMAX 3D: Flying High Into the New Millennium (2002). She has also starred in numerous television series, including the long-running action drama series Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000-2016). In 2017, Yeoh received an honorary degree from Yale University.
Yeoh is married to businessman David Yeoh and they have two children.
Awards and Achievements of Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh has been involved in the performing arts for over three decades, first appearing on stage at the age of six. After studying acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Michelle made her film debut in the 1984 crime thriller A Better Tomorrow. She went on to appear in numerous films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, notably playing minor roles in The Karate Kid Part II and The Matrix Reloaded.
In 2002, Michelle starred alongside Clive Owen and Angelina Jolie in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which won her acclaim as one of Asia’s leading actresses. She has since appeared in a number of Hollywood films, including Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), The Prestige (2006), Ip Man 3 (2010) and Age of Consequences (2013). In recent years, Michelle has focused on stage work, making her Broadway debut in 2013 in The Grand Tour.
Michelle Yeoh has received a number of awards and accolades throughout her career, including an Emmy Award nomination for her role as Madame Wu in the television series Ally McBeal. She was also named Best Actress at the Golden Horse Awards for her performance in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and won an Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress for Ip Man 3. Michelle Yeoh is currently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Madam Shang playing opposite Christian Bale in the drama film Lion.
Name | Michelle Yeoh Choo-kheng |
Net Worth (2023) | $45 Million |
Profession | Actress |
Monthly Income And Salary | $2,50,000 + |
Yearly Income And Salary | $3.5 Million + |
Last Updated | 2023 |
Personal life of Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh was born in Penang, Malaysia on November 17th, 1961 to a Chinese-Malaysian father and a Malay mother. She moved to Singapore with her family when she was young, and then to Australia when she was 11 years old. Yeoh attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, where she studied acting.
Yeoh made her film debut in the Australian drama series “The Young Doctors” in 1984. That same year she starred in her first Malaysian film, “The Price of Love”. Yeoh’s American debut came in 1988 with the action film “Hunter”, which also featured Michael Madsen and Sylvester Stallone. Yeoh went on to star in many acclaimed Hollywood films such as “The Medallion”, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “Tomorrow Never Dies”, and “Memoirs of a Geisha”.
Yeoh has received numerous accolades throughout her career including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Madame Gao in the martial arts epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). She is also a recipient of two Golden Globe Awards, two BAFTA Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and one Emmy Award. In 2003, Yeoh was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by NIDA.
Yeoh is married to actor Vincent Zhao since 2004 and they have one child together.
Conclusion
Michelle Yeoh has had an illustrious career in the entertainment industry, and her story is a testament to the power of hard work and determination. Born in Malaysia to Chinese parents, Michelle Yeoh was raised by her mother after her father abandoned the family. She started out as a model before making her acting debut in the 1990s. Over the course of her career, she has starred in some of the most popular films of all time, including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Mummy Returns. In this biography, we take a look at Michelle Yeoh’s life story and explore how she rose to become one of the most renowned actresses in Asia.