‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ ‘The Last Emperor’ Star Lisa Lu to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Honor (EXCLUSIVE)

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Renowned actress Lisa Lu, who has been active in the entertainment industry for more than six decades through movies, TV shows, and theater performances, is set to receive the 2,811th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a token of recognition.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary career of Michelle Yeoh, a three-time Golden Horse Award winner and a “Living Legend” bestowed upon her by the Chinese Government. Her recent roles have been nothing short of captivating, such as her portrayal of Ah Ma, the matriarch of Singapore’s wealthiest family in the blockbuster hit “Crazy Rich Asians” (2018) produced by Warner Brothers.

At a ripe age of 90, Yeoh continues to grace our screens with her talent, recently starring in “The Disappearance of Mrs. Wu” (2021), lending her voice to Grandma Bai in the animated feature “Rally Road Racers,” and appearing in multiple episodes of the Hulu series “Death and Other Details” (2024). Her unwavering dedication to her craft serves as an inspiration for many aspiring artists.

Her professional theater journey has been equally remarkable, featuring in Stan Lai’s lengthy production “A Dream Like a Dream,” portraying Lady Bracknell in the Mandarin adaptation of “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Taipei’s National Theatre, and assuming the character of Regina in the Cantonese rendition of “The Little Foxes” with the Hong Kong Repertory Company.

Initially, Lu gained recognition when she played opposite James Stewart in the 1960 movie “The Mountain Road,” portraying Madame Su-Mei Hung, his love interest. She also featured in several episodes of the series “Have Gun – Will Travel” from 1958 to 1961. At the age of 60, she reappeared as Empress Dowager CiXi in Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1987 film “The Last Emperor,” a production that won nine Oscars and four Golden Globes, including best picture. This achievement paved the way for her role as An-Mei in Wayne Wang’s influential movie “The Joy Luck Club” in 1993.

In her 70s and 80s, Lu remained active with work in both China and the United States, appearing in films such as Roland Emmerich’s catastrophe film “2012” and Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution” (2007). The Chinese film “Apart Together,” directed by Wang Quan An, who won the Golden Bear award, featured Lu and it opened the 2010 Berlin Film Festival, winning the Silver Bear Award for best screenplay. At the 2011 Wan Xiang Chinese Film Festival in London, Lu was honored with the best actress award for her role.

Lu has garnered numerous honors, including three Golden Horse Awards – Taiwan’s version of the Oscars. She won the title of Best Actress for “The Empress Dowager” in 1973, Best Supporting Actress for “The 14 Amazons” in 1972, and again Best Actress for “The Arch” in 1970. Additionally, she received the Magnolia Award, China’s equivalent of the Tony Awards, twice – once for Best Actress in 1992 and another for Best Translation for Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite.”

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Lu boasts a multitude of achievements, with three Golden Horse Awards being among them. These awards, Taiwan’s equivalent to the Oscars, were earned as follows: Best Actress for “The Empress Dowager” in 1973, Best Supporting Actress for “The 14 Amazons” in 1972, and another Best Actress award for “The Arch” in 1970. Furthermore, she was honored with the Magnolia Award, China’s equivalent of the Tony Awards, twice – once for Best Actress in 1992 and again for Best Translation of Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite.

During my lengthy pursuit of acting stardom, I turned down multiple offers for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – it was hard for me to picture someone stepping on my name. Yet, at 98 years old, I now accept this star as a symbol of resilience and determination. I am profoundly grateful for this recognition and I stand in solidarity with the upcoming Asian actors, hoping their paths will outshine mine.

Lu is unique among Hollywood figures for having cast votes in four prestigious organizations: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Oscars), the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the Golden Globes), the Television Academy (the Emmys), and the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG).

Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, announced with pride that actress Lisa Lu is being added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her star will be placed near the star of James Stewart, whom she collaborated with on the movie ‘The Mountain Road.’ This film significantly impacted Hollywood’s cinematic history. Interestingly, Lisa Lu’s star will also be positioned close to the star of the iconic Anna May Wong, who was the first Asian woman to receive a star on the Walk of Fame. This placement serves as a fitting tribute to her skill and influence in promoting diversity in film.

The special occasion will only be broadcast online via walkoffame.com. The event will be hosted by Steve Nissen, who is the president and CEO of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Notable attendees include actress Awkwafina and Janet Yang, the head of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, who will both be part of the festivities.

98-year-old Lisa Lu has been acting for more years than most people get to live. She’s undeniably a legendary figure, according to Yang. For many years, she’s captivated our screens – first as a striking young actress, and later recurrently as a strong matriarchal character. In every role, she exudes an impressive presence and grace. It’s hard to envision ‘The Last Emperor,’ ‘The Joy Luck Club,’ or ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ without her.

Awkwafina expressed great gratitude for all that Lisa Lu has accomplished, which paved the way for us. It was a privilege to be present as she received her star on the Walk of Fame – a deeply symbolic milestone not just for her but also for those who have followed in her path,” said Awkwafina.

The event is scheduled for May 5, specifically at 1708 Vine Street, close to the iconic Hollywood and Vine crossroads.

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2025-05-02 18:19