by Asanat Odeyale
Michelle Yeoh, a Chinese-Malaysian actress, was born on August 6, 1962. She rose to fame in the 1990s by starring in Hong Kong action films. However, she gained international recognition when she played Wai Lin the 1997 James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies and other martial arts films, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Yeoh is both a literal and figurative symbol for strength and womanhood. As a former pageant queen and ballet dancer, she traded in her tiara and pointe shoes for air-kicks and became a profound martial artist for her early roles. She countered the stereotype of women being powerless while also solidifying how women of color also have a place in Hollywood. You can read more about Yeoh’s lifetime achievements and amazing roles in her Elle interview:
Happy Birthday Michelle Yeoh! If you want to watch Yeoh’s work, you can find these popular movies that she has starred in the AU Media Collection:
- Tomorrow Never Dies (DVD 6423)
- Crazy Rich Asians (DVD 16221)
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (DVD 480)
- Memoirs of a Geisha (DVD 1898)