Profile: Zhang Ziyi

27 May 2008 04:21pm

Real Name: Zhang Zi-Yi

Birth Date: 9 February 1979

Image: Sultry Chinese film star

Best Known For: Playing the lead role in Memoirs Of A Geisha

Early Life: Born in Beijing to a kindergarten teacher mother and an economist father, Ziyi left home at 11 to attend the Beijing Dance Academy.

She then left the academy at 15 to join the Central Academy of Drama - considered China's greatest drama school.

When she was 19, film director Zhang Yimou asked her to be in his film The Road Home after remembering her from a shampoo advert casting.

Ziyi then bagged a leading role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - using her dance talents to make up for her lack of martial arts training.

Career High: In 2006 Ziyi, then aged 27, became the youngest person to ever sit on the judging panel at the Cannes Film Festival.

Love Life: Speculation has surrounded Ziyi's love life with unconfirmed rumours linking her with colleagues Jackie Chan and Zhang Yimou and business tycoon Henry Fok's son Fok Kai-shan. However she is currently stepping out with Israeli multi-millionaire Vivi Nevo.

Don't Mention: Ignorance. Ziyi has spoken out against the ignorance of revellers at the Cannes Film Festival to the recent Chinese earthquake.

Words Of Wisdom: On her work with British fostering charity Care For Children she said: "There are so many in China who do not have my good fortune. I want to give something back to society."

© The Press Association