David Yip
Biography
David Nicholas Yip is a British actor and playwright born on June 4, 1951, in Liverpool, England, United Kingdom. He is also known as David Nicholas Yip and 叶西园. Yip gained prominence through his role in the BBC television series The Chinese Detective, which aired from 1981 to 1982, marking him as the first Chinese lead on British television. His acting credits also include work associated with Doctor Who, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Making Out. Across his career, he has accumulated a total of forty-two known acting credits in movies and television shows.
Career overview
David Nicholas Yip is a British actor and playwright born in Liverpool, England, on June 4, 1951. He gained prominence through his role in the BBC television series The Chinese Detective, which aired from 1981 to 1982, marking him as the first Chinese lead on British television.
Throughout his career, Yip has accumulated numerous known credits in both television and film. His acting filmography includes appearances in Doctor Who, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Making Out. Additional details regarding his extensive career and personal background are documented across various film and television databases, including The Movie Database and Wikipedia.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
41 titles- Doctor Plague (2026)
- Wolf King (2025) as Hamwell (voice)
- Dream Hacker (2025) as Wang Lei
- Return to Skaro (2021)
- Break (2020) as Vincent Qiang
- Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman's Butler (2019) as Zeya Khin
- Porters (2017) as Dalai Lama
- Spirit Warriors (2010) as Ding-Xiang
- Act of Grace (2008) as Kai
- Liverpool Nativity (2007) as Magi 2
- Snakeboy and the Sandcastle (2002)
- 24 (2001) as President Wei
- My Kingdom (2001)
- Arabian Nights (2000) as Assad
- Inside 'A View to a Kill' (2000) as Self
- Entrapment (1999) as Chief of Police
- Fast Food (1998) as Mr. Fortune-cookie
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Fergus Rooney
- Hamlet (1996) as Sailor One
- Bugs (1995)
- Rich Deceiver (1995) as Ricky Ramon
- Wild Justice (1994) as Wong
- Every Silver Lining (1993)
- Cluedo (1990) as Himself
- Making Out (1989)
- Murder on the Moon (1989) as Chang
- Ping Pong (1987) as Mike Wong
- Casualty (1986) as Jiang Guang
- A View to a Kill (1985) as Chuck Lee
- The Caucasian Chalk Circle (1985) as Young Working Man/Simon
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) as Wu Han
- Six Fifty-Five Special (1981) as Self
- The Chinese Detective (1981) as Detective Sergeant John Ho
- The Chelsea Murders (1981) as Denny
- The Mystery of the Disappearing Schoolgirls (1980) as Quintus
- Quatermass (1979) as Frank Chen
- The Quatermass Conclusion (1979) as Frank Chen
- Doctor Who: Destiny of the Daleks (1979) as Veldan
- The Professionals (1977) as Editor
- Doctor Who (1963) as Veldan
- Savages as Kumai
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is David Yip best known for?
David Yip is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman's Butler (2019), 24 (2001), My Kingdom (2001), Arabian Nights (2000).
When and where was David Yip born?
David Yip was born on June 4, 1951 in Liverpool, England, UK.
How many credits does David Yip have?
David Yip has accumulated over 41 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1963 to 2026.
What is David Yip's background in cinema and television?
David Nicholas Yip is a British actor and playwright born on June 4, 1951, in Liverpool, England, United Kingdom. He is also known as David Nicholas Yip and 叶西园. Yip gained prominence through his role in the BBC television series The Chinese Detective, which aired from 1981 to 1982, marking him as the first Chinese lea...
David Yip by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Doctor Who (1963) as Veldan — aged about 12
- Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman's Butler (2019) as Zeya Khin — aged about 68
- 24 (2001) as President Wei — aged about 50
- The Professionals (1977) as Editor — aged about 26
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Fergus Rooney — aged about 46
- Hamlet (1996) as Sailor One — aged about 45
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