Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen

Born: July 27, 1963 (62 years)
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Donnie Yen Chi-tan (Chinese: 甄子丹; Jyutping: jan1 zi2 daan1; pinyin: Zhēn Zǐdān; born 27 July 1963) is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. His accolades include 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 a co-producer of 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), Flash Point (2007), 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 elements of mixed martial arts (MMA) 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). Description above from the Wikipedia article Donnie Yen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Movies Directed (7)
Movies as Actor (93)
You are the Best

You are the Best

as Alex Yang

Jul 17, 2025

The Prosecutor

The Prosecutor

as Fok Chi Ho

Dec 8, 2024

John Wick: Chapter 4

John Wick: Chapter 4

as Caine

Mar 21, 2023

Sakra

Sakra

as Qiao Feng / Xiao Feng

Jan 16, 2023

The Monkey King: The Legend Begins

The Monkey King: The Legend Begins

as Sun Wukong / Monkey King

Nov 2, 2022

Polar Rescue

Polar Rescue

as A De

Oct 3, 2022

New Kung Fu Cult Master 2

New Kung Fu Cult Master 2

as Zhang Sanfeng

Feb 12, 2022

New Kung Fu Cult Master

New Kung Fu Cult Master

as Zhang Sanfeng

Jan 28, 2022

Kung Fu Stuntmen

Kung Fu Stuntmen

Aug 28, 2021

Raging Fire

Raging Fire

as Bong

Jul 28, 2021

Mulan

Mulan

as Commander Tung

Sep 4, 2020

Enter the Fat Dragon

Enter the Fat Dragon

as Fallon Zhu

Jan 23, 2020

Ip Man 4: The Finale

Ip Man 4: The Finale

as Ip Man

Dec 19, 2019

Iceman: The Time Traveler

Iceman: The Time Traveler

as Ying

Nov 2, 2018

Big Brother

Big Brother

as Henry Chen Xia

Aug 16, 2018

Guardians of Martial Arts

Guardians of Martial Arts

as Master Yen

Nov 11, 2017

Chasing the Dragon

Chasing the Dragon

as Crippled Ho

Sep 28, 2017

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

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

as Self

Apr 4, 2017

xXx: Return of Xander Cage

xXx: Return of Xander Cage

as Xiang

Jan 13, 2017

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

as Chirrut Imwe

Dec 14, 2016

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny

as Silent Wolf

Feb 18, 2016

Ip Man 3

Ip Man 3

as Ip Man

Dec 24, 2015

An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls

as Band Members

Feb 19, 2015

Kung Fu Jungle

Kung Fu Jungle

as Hahou Mo

Oct 31, 2014

Iceman

Iceman

as Ying

Apr 17, 2014

Golden Chickensss

Golden Chickensss

as Yip Man

Jan 30, 2014

The Monkey King

The Monkey King

as Sun Wukong / Monkey King

Jan 9, 2014

Special ID

Special ID

as Dragon Chan

Oct 17, 2013

Together

Together

as Chan Kwok-Wah

Feb 13, 2013

All's Well, Ends Well

All's Well, Ends Well

as Carl Tam

Jan 19, 2012

Dragon

Dragon

as Liu Jinxi / Tang Long

Jul 4, 2011

The Lost Bladesman

The Lost Bladesman

as Guan Yunchang

Apr 28, 2011

All's Well, End's Well 2011

All's Well, End's Well 2011

as Cheng Yu-keung / Arnold Cheng

Feb 2, 2011

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen

as Chen Zhen

Sep 1, 2010

Ip Man 2

Ip Man 2

as Ip Man

Apr 29, 2010

14 Blades

14 Blades

as Qinglong

Feb 4, 2010

Bodyguards and Assassins

Bodyguards and Assassins

as Sum Chung-Yang

Dec 18, 2009

The Founding of a Republic

The Founding of a Republic

as Tian Han

Sep 17, 2009

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

as Self

May 17, 2009

All's Well, End's Well 2009

All's Well, End's Well 2009

as Wedding Guest (cameo)

Jan 22, 2009

Ip Man

Ip Man

as Yip Man

Dec 12, 2008

Painted Skin

Painted Skin

as Pang Yong

Sep 25, 2008

An Empress and the Warriors

An Empress and the Warriors

as General Muyong Xuehu

Feb 9, 2008

Flash Point

Flash Point

as Ma

Jul 26, 2007

Dragon Tiger Gate

Dragon Tiger Gate

as Dragon Wong

Jul 27, 2006

SPL: Kill Zone

SPL: Kill Zone

as Inspector Ma Kwun

Nov 18, 2005

Seven Swords

Seven Swords

as Chu Zhaonan

Jul 25, 2005

'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece

'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece

as Self

Nov 30, 2004

The Twins Effect II

The Twins Effect II

as General Lone

Aug 12, 2004

Love on the Rocks

Love on the Rocks

as Victor Tsui

Apr 8, 2004

Shanghai Knights

Shanghai Knights

as Wu Chow

Feb 6, 2003

Hero

Hero

as Sky

Dec 19, 2002

The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'

The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'

as Self

Sep 3, 2002

The Kung Fu Master

The Kung Fu Master

as Hung Hei-Kwun

Jul 30, 2002

Fist of Fury

Fist of Fury

as Chen-Jun

Apr 30, 2002

Blade II

Blade II

as Snowman

Mar 22, 2002

Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge

Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge

as Chen Zhen

Nov 26, 2001

Reflections on 'the Little Dragon'

Reflections on 'the Little Dragon'

Feb 5, 2001

Hong Kong Superstars

Hong Kong Superstars

as Self

Jan 1, 2001

Highlander: Endgame

Highlander: Endgame

as Jin Ke

Sep 1, 2000

City of Darkness

City of Darkness

as Ozone

Jan 1, 1999

Shanghai Affairs

Shanghai Affairs

as Tong Shan

Jul 3, 1998

Ballistic Kiss

Ballistic Kiss

as Cat Lee

Mar 21, 1998

Legend of the Wolf

Legend of the Wolf

as Fung Man-hin

Jun 14, 1997

Black Rose II

Black Rose II

as Boxing School Owner

Mar 1, 1997

义侠勇闯上海滩

义侠勇闯上海滩

as 唐山

Jan 1, 1997

Satan Returns

Satan Returns

as Nam

May 17, 1996

Iron Monkey 2

Iron Monkey 2

as Iron Monkey

Apr 24, 1996

The Saint of Gamblers

The Saint of Gamblers

as Lung Chat

Jun 28, 1995

High Voltage

High Voltage

as Chiang Ho-Wa

Jan 14, 1995

Circus Kids

Circus Kids

as Danton Lee

Oct 9, 1994

Revenge of the Kung Fu Master

Revenge of the Kung Fu Master

as Hung-Hei Kwun

Sep 23, 1994

Wing Chun

Wing Chun

as Leung Pok To

Mar 24, 1994

Cinema of Vengeance

Cinema of Vengeance

as Self (uncredited)

Jan 1, 1994

Heroes Among Heroes

Heroes Among Heroes

as So Chan

Nov 11, 1993

Iron Monkey

Iron Monkey

as Wong Kei-ying

Sep 3, 1993

Butterfly and Sword

Butterfly and Sword

as Yip Cheung

Jan 16, 1993

New Dragon Gate Inn

New Dragon Gate Inn

as Eunuch Tso Siu Yan

Aug 22, 1992

Once Upon a Time in China II

Once Upon a Time in China II

as Commander Lan

Apr 16, 1992

Crystal Hunt

Crystal Hunt

as Leung / Brett Chan

Jan 19, 1992

Cheetah on Fire

Cheetah on Fire

as Ronnie

Jan 1, 1992

The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead

The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead

as Shiang Chin-Fei

Jun 7, 1991

Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991

Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991

Apr 1, 1991

Tiger Cage II

Tiger Cage II

as Dragon Yau

Aug 11, 1990

In the Line of Duty 4

In the Line of Duty 4

as Captain Donnie Yan

Jul 21, 1989

Tiger Cage

Tiger Cage

as Terry

Jul 28, 1988

The Last Conflict

The Last Conflict

as Dickson Kwan

Jan 1, 1988

Mismatched Couples

Mismatched Couples

as Eddie

Apr 3, 1985

Drunken Tai Chi

Drunken Tai Chi

as Chan Chuen Chung

May 31, 1984

Ip Man 5

Ip Man 5

as Ip Man

Flash Point: Resurgence

Flash Point: Resurgence

as Det. Sgt. Ma Jun

Kung Fu

Kung Fu

Caine

Caine

as Caine

Movies as Crew (37)
The Prosecutor

The Prosecutor

Producer

Dec 8, 2024

Sakra

Sakra

Producer

Jan 16, 2023

Polar Rescue

Polar Rescue

Producer

Oct 3, 2022

Raging Fire

Raging Fire

Action Director, Producer

Jul 28, 2021

Wuhan Wuhan

Wuhan Wuhan

Executive Producer

May 6, 2021

Enter the Fat Dragon

Enter the Fat Dragon

Producer

Jan 23, 2020

Master Z: Ip Man Legacy

Master Z: Ip Man Legacy

Producer

Dec 20, 2018

Big Brother

Big Brother

Producer, Action Director

Aug 16, 2018

Chasing the Dragon

Chasing the Dragon

Producer

Sep 28, 2017

xXx: Return of Xander Cage

xXx: Return of Xander Cage

Fight Choreographer

Jan 13, 2017

Kung Fu Jungle

Kung Fu Jungle

Action Director

Oct 31, 2014

Iceman

Iceman

Producer

Apr 17, 2014

Dragon

Dragon

Action Director

Jul 4, 2011

The Lost Bladesman

The Lost Bladesman

Choreographer

Apr 28, 2011

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen

Martial Arts Choreographer

Sep 1, 2010

Flash Point

Flash Point

Producer, Action Director

Jul 26, 2007

Dragon Tiger Gate

Dragon Tiger Gate

Action Director, Co-Producer

Jul 27, 2006

Stormbreaker

Stormbreaker

Action Director, Stunts

Jul 21, 2006

SPL: Kill Zone

SPL: Kill Zone

Martial Arts Choreographer

Nov 18, 2005

The Twins Effect II

The Twins Effect II

Stunt Coordinator

Aug 12, 2004

The Twins Effect

The Twins Effect

Co-Director, Action Director

Mar 8, 2003

Blade II

Blade II

Martial Arts Choreographer

Mar 22, 2002

The Princess Blade

The Princess Blade

Action Director, Stunts

Dec 15, 2001

Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge

Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge

Martial Arts Choreographer

Nov 26, 2001

Highlander: Endgame

Highlander: Endgame

Martial Arts Choreographer

Sep 1, 2000

Der Puma - Kämpfer mit Herz

Der Puma - Kämpfer mit Herz

Stunts

Dec 9, 1999

Moonlight Express

Moonlight Express

Action Director, Choreographer

Apr 1, 1999

Ballistic Kiss

Ballistic Kiss

Producer, Martial Arts Choreographer, Writer

Mar 21, 1998

Legend of the Wolf

Legend of the Wolf

Screenplay, Producer, Martial Arts Choreographer

Jun 14, 1997

Wing Chun

Wing Chun

Martial Arts Choreographer, Action Director

Mar 24, 1994

New Dragon Gate Inn

New Dragon Gate Inn

Stunt Double

Aug 22, 1992

Tiger Cage II

Tiger Cage II

Martial Arts Choreographer

Aug 11, 1990

Tiger Cage

Tiger Cage

Martial Arts Choreographer

Jul 28, 1988

The Close Encounters of Vampire

The Close Encounters of Vampire

Choreographer

Sep 25, 1986

The Miracle Fighters

The Miracle Fighters

Stunt Double

Jul 23, 1982

Caine

Caine

Executive Producer

狠家伙

狠家伙

Executive Producer