
Donnie Yen
Acting
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).
TV Shows(18)

Crush Over
2023

Bravo Youngsters!
2020

2次重塑
2020

The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up
2018

Roast
2017

鲁豫有约一日行
2016

Chef Nic
2014

Running Man
2010

Club Sparkle
2009

Be My Guest
2006

Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self - Guest
2003

Fist of Fury
陈真
1995

The Kung Fu Master
Hung Hei-gun
1994

A New Life
1991

The Crime File
1991

Flying Squads
Cheung Ho-nam
1989

File Noir
1989

The Oscars
Self
1953
Movies(93)

You are the Best
Alex Yang
2025

The Prosecutor
Fok Chi Ho
2024

John Wick: Chapter 4
Caine
2023

Sakra
Qiao Feng / Xiao Feng
2023

The Monkey King: The Legend Begins
Sun Wukong / Monkey King
2022

Polar Rescue
A De
2022

New Kung Fu Cult Master 2
Zhang Sanfeng
2022

New Kung Fu Cult Master
Zhang Sanfeng
2022

Kung Fu Stuntmen
2021

Raging Fire
Bong
2021

Mulan
Commander Tung
2020

Enter the Fat Dragon
Fallon Zhu
2020

Ip Man 4: The Finale
Ip Man
2019

Iceman: The Time Traveler
Ying
2018

Big Brother
Henry Chen Xia
2018

Guardians of Martial Arts
Master Yen
2017

Chasing the Dragon
Crippled Ho
2017

The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
Self
2017

xXx: Return of Xander Cage
Xiang
2017

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Chirrut Imwe
2016

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
Silent Wolf
2016

Ip Man 3
Ip Man
2015

An Inspector Calls
Band Members
2015

Kung Fu Jungle
Hahou Mo
2014

Iceman
Ying
2014

Golden Chickensss
Yip Man
2014

The Monkey King
Sun Wukong / Monkey King
2014

Special ID
Dragon Chan
2013

Together
Chan Kwok-Wah
2013

All's Well, Ends Well
Carl Tam
2012

Dragon
Liu Jinxi / Tang Long
2011

The Lost Bladesman
Guan Yunchang
2011

All's Well, End's Well 2011
Cheng Yu-keung / Arnold Cheng
2011

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
Chen Zhen
2010

Ip Man 2
Ip Man
2010

14 Blades
Qinglong
2010

Bodyguards and Assassins
Sum Chung-Yang
2009

The Founding of a Republic
Tian Han
2009

How Bruce Lee Changed the World
Self
2009

All's Well, End's Well 2009
Wedding Guest (cameo)
2009

Ip Man
Yip Man
2008

Painted Skin
Pang Yong
2008

An Empress and the Warriors
General Muyong Xuehu
2008

Flash Point
Ma
2007

Dragon Tiger Gate
Tiger Wong
2006

SPL: Kill Zone
Inspector Ma Kwun
2005

Seven Swords
Chu Zhaonan
2005

'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece
Self
2004

The Twins Effect II
General Lone
2004

Love on the Rocks
Victor Tsui
2004

Shanghai Knights
Wu Chow
2003

Hero
Sky
2002

The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'
Self
2002

The Kung Fu Master
Hung Hei-Kwun
2002

Fist of Fury
Chen-Jun
2002

Blade II
Snowman
2002

Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge
Chen Zhen
2001

Reflections on 'the Little Dragon'
2001

Hong Kong Superstars
Self
2001

Highlander: Endgame
Jin Ke
2000

City of Darkness
Ozone
1999

Shanghai Affairs
Tong Shan
1998

Ballistic Kiss
Cat Lee
1998

Legend of the Wolf
Fung Man-hin
1997

Black Rose II
Boxing School Owner
1997

义侠勇闯上海滩
唐山
1997

Satan Returns
Nam
1996

Iron Monkey 2
Iron Monkey
1996

The Saint of Gamblers
Lung Chat
1995

High Voltage
Chiang Ho-Wa
1995

Circus Kids
Danton Lee
1994

Revenge of the Kung Fu Master
Hung-Hei Kwun
1994

Wing Chun
Leung Pok To
1994

Cinema of Vengeance
Self (uncredited)
1994

Heroes Among Heroes
So Chan
1993

Iron Monkey
Wong Kei-ying
1993

Butterfly and Sword
Yip Cheung
1993

New Dragon Gate Inn
Eunuch Tso Siu Yan
1992

Once Upon a Time in China II
Commander Lan
1992

Crystal Hunt
Leung / Brett Chan
1992

Cheetah on Fire
Ronnie
1992

The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead
Shiang Chin-Fei
1991

Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991
1991

Tiger Cage II
Dragon Yau
1990

In the Line of Duty 4
Captain Donnie Yan
1989

Tiger Cage
Terry
1988

The Last Conflict
Dickson Kwan
1988

Mismatched Couples
Eddie
1985

Drunken Tai Chi
Chan Chuen Chung
1984

Ip Man 5
Ip Man

Flash Point: Resurgence
Det. Sgt. Ma Jun
Kung Fu

Caine
Caine