As a movie reviewer with a deep appreciation for the history of Asian cinema, I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cheng Pei-pei, a pioneering figure in martial arts roles for female actors and an iconic figure in Chinese and Hong Kong film industry.
The renowned Chinese actor, Cheng Pei-pei, known for her roles in Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and King Hu’s “Come Drink With Me,” passed away at the age of 78.
In the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday, renowned pioneer of martial arts acting roles for women, Cheng, passed away. Despite her valiant struggle, she had been battling a progressive brain condition for quite some time. In keeping with her altruistic spirit, she arranged to have her brain donated for medical research following her demise.
Cheng, born on January 6, 1946, in Shanghai, relocated to Hong Kong in 1962. With her background in ballet and dance, she quickly found work at the renowned Shaw Brothers film studio. Her debut role was in a drama film titled “Lovers’ Rock,” but it was her breakout performance in the 1966 crime action movie “Come Drink With Me,” helmed by King Hu, that catapulted her to fame in martial arts, action, and swordplay films. This groundbreaking role paved the way for a sequel (“Golden Swallow” in 1968), an aborted Quentin Tarantino remake, and numerous other female-led action productions from East Asia. Despite being Hong Kong’s submission to the Oscars, this film did not receive a nomination.
In the 1970s, Cheng moved once more, this time to San Francisco, where she brought up her four kids and pursued a business education at the University of California, Irvine. Notably, all four of her children have made their mark in the entertainment industry. Harry Yuan has become a well-known host on National Geographic. Eugenia Yuan, an accomplished gymnast who represented the U.S. in Olympic competitions, has graced the screens of various films such as “3 Extremes II,” “The Eye 2,” Australian TV series “Secret City,” and American productions like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny” and the revived “Hawaii Five-O.”
After appearing as the malevolent Jade Fox in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” alongside other stars in 2000, Cheng experienced a major resurgence in her acting career. This groundbreaking film went on to win four Oscars and raked in over $128 million at the North American box office – an unprecedented achievement for a foreign-language production.
After her initial success, her professional journey continued on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. She appeared in films such as “Naked Weapon” in Hong Kong, co-starring with a young Maggie Q, and “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li,” which was an adaptation of the Capcom game produced by Hyde Park Entertainment. More recently, she took on the lead role in “Lilting” (2014) and portrayed The Matchmaker in Disney’s 2020 live-action version of “Mulan.”
I had the privilege of growing up with a remarkable woman, Cheng Pei Pei, who left an indelible mark not just on my life but on the entire world of martial arts cinema. Her impact was felt by all her friends, colleagues, and fans, who showered her with support throughout her illustrious six-decade career.
“She deeply cherished her role as an actress, recognizing the luck involved in achieving such a career despite her dedication. Our mother was remarkably down-to-earth, exhibiting patience, kindness, and an unwavering willingness to give her time to those in need. She will be profoundly missed.”
In 2019, Cheng received a diagnosis of an uncommon neuro-degenerative condition, which is colloquially known as Corticobasal degeneration (CBD). This syndrome shares some symptoms with Parkinson’s disease, but existing treatments are ineffective in halting its progression. Until now, Cheng had kept this information private to focus on her loved ones – her four children named Eugenia, Jennifer, Harry, and Marsha, as well as her grandchildren. Instead of sending flowers, she requested that donations be made in her name to the Brain Support Network (BSN), as a gift of her brain was promised to them.
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2024-07-19 05:16