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Eugenia Yuan

American actress From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eugenia Yuan (born October 26, 1976) is an American actress and former rhythmic gymnast who has won a Hong Kong Film Award.

Born (1976-10-26) October 26, 1976 (age 49)
OthernamesLai-Kai Yuan, Lai-Kei Yuan, Eugenia Lai-Kai Yuan
OccupationActress
Yearsactive
  • 1982
  • 1995
  • 2000–present
Quick facts Born, Other names ...
Eugenia Yuan
Chinese: 原麗淇 (Yuan Lai-Kai)
Yuan in She Has a Name, 2016
Born (1976-10-26) October 26, 1976 (age 49)
Other namesLai-Kai Yuan, Lai-Kei Yuan, Eugenia Lai-Kai Yuan
OccupationActress
Years active
  • 1982
  • 1995
  • 2000–present
Known forMember of U.S. National Rhythmic Gymnastics team.
MotherCheng Pei-pei
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Early life

Yuan was born in Inglewood, California.[1][2] Her mother is Cheng Pei-pei, an actress who is known for being a Shaw Brothers Studio alumnus and the role of Jade Fox in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.[1] Yuan grew up in San Marino, California.[3][2]

Career

Gymnastics

Yuan began her career as a rhythmic gymnast for the U.S. Olympic Team and was ranked #4 in the world. Yuan was a member of the U.S. National Rhythmic Gymnastics team for about seven years.[2]

Entertainment

Yuan's first screen role was acting alongside her mother in Flying Dragon, Leaping Tiger (2002), a martial arts movie. Yuan co-starred in the 2002 drama Charlotte Sometimes which won the best first feature award at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Yuan returned to Hong Kong to star in one segment of Three where she was named "Best Newcomer" in the Hong Kong Film Awards. Hollywood director Doug Liman chose her for the title role of the mockumentary Mail Order Wife, for which she was named as a "Rising Star/Screen Acting Discovery" at the Hamptons International Film Festival.

She was nominated at Hong Kong's Golden Horse Awards for her starring role in 2004's The Eye 2 and had roles in the John Dahl film The Great Raid and the Oscar-winning Memoirs of a Geisha. The jewelry retailer Me & Ro created a special edition hair ornament inspired by Yuan's character in the movie.[citation needed]

Yuan continues to travel back and forth between Los Angeles, New York City and Hong Kong[citation needed] to take studio, Chinese-language and American independent roles alike including the 2007 Gotham Awards winning film Choking Man. She also co-stars with Tony Leung Ka Fai in the Kenneth Bi film, The Drummer, and Erica Leerhsen in Slaughter. Most recently she has appeared in the Australian television drama Secret City.

Filmography

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes/Ref.
2019–20Hawaii Five-0Daiyu Mei
2019Into the Badlands Kannin
2017She Has a Name Mamma [4]
2016Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny Blind Enchantress
Secret City Weng TV series - 12 episodes
2015The Man with the Iron Fists 2 Ah Ni
2015Jasmine
2014Revenge of the Green Dragons Snakehead Mama [5]
2013Pupil (Short)
#1 Serial Killer
2012What About Us? (Short)
Strangers (2012 film) | Strangers
2011My Life in a Box [6]
Shanghai Hotel
I Don't Know How She Does It Jack's Receptionist
2010Fog
2007The Drummer Kuan's wife
2006Choking Man Amy
Locked (1992)
2005Memoirs of a Geisha Korin [7]
The Great Raid Cora
2004Mail Order Wife Lichi [8]
My Name Is Modesty: A Modesty Blaise Adventure Irina
The Eye 2 Yuen Chi-kei
20023 Extremes II Hal'er, Uu's wife
Charlotte Sometimes Lori
Flying Dragon, Leaping Tiger Xiao Xia [9]
1982Dragon Strike Voice
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