Donnie Yen
Acting Born Jul 27, 1963 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China 168 credits
Biography
Donnie Yen Chi-tan, born on July 27, 1963, in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, is a Hong Kong-based actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He moved to Hong Kong at age two and later relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, at age 11. His mother, Bow-sim Mark, was a kung fu master, and his father, Kylster Yen, was a newspaper editor and amateur musician. Yen developed an interest in martial arts at a young age, experimenting with various styles including tai chi and other traditional Chinese martial arts. He is widely recognized for his contributions to Asian cinema and his expertise in mixed martial arts and Wing Chun.
Sources & verification
Donnie Yen — The Movie Database (TMDB)
Donnie Yen - 甄子丹 — The Movie Database (TMDB)
Donnie Yen - Biography - IMDb
Donnie Yen（Hong Kong, China actor, martial arts choreographer, and ...
Donnie Yen Biography: Movies, Net Worth, Age, Wife, Children, Martial Arts
Donnie Yen - Wikiwand
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Career overview
Donnie Yen officially entered the entertainment industry in 1984 when he starred in his first action film, Drunken Tai Chi. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a prominent figure in action cinema, accumulating 122 known credits. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the Ip Man film series, which includes Ip Man (2008), Ip Man 2 (2010), Ip Man 3 (2015), and Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019). Additionally, he served as a co-producer for the spin-off film Master Z: Ip Man Legacy in 2018. His work in the industry has been recognized with multiple accolades, including three Golden Horse Awards and five Hong Kong Film Awards. Beyond acting, Yen has contributed to the film industry as an action choreographer, director, and producer. His career is characterized by a commitment to showcasing martial arts techniques on screen, solidifying his reputation as an accomplished performer and filmmaker within the Hong Kong and international film landscapes.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
You are the Best
The ProsecutorThe Prosecutor · DirectorThe Prosecutor · Producer
John Wick: Chapter 4SakraSakra · DirectorSakra · ProducerCrush Over
New Kung Fu Cult Master 2The Monkey King: The Legend BeginsNew Kung Fu Cult MasterPolar RescuePolar Rescue · Producer
Raging FireRaging Fire · Action DirectorRaging Fire · ProducerKung Fu StuntmenWuhan Wuhan · Executive Producer
MulanEnter the Fat DragonEnter the Fat Dragon · ProducerBravo Youngsters!2次重塑
Ip Man 4: The Finale
Big BrotherBig Brother · ProducerBig Brother · Action DirectorThe 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-UpMaster Z: Ip Man Legacy · Producer
xXx: Return of Xander CagexXx: Return of Xander Cage · Fight ChoreographerRoastChasing the DragonChasing the Dragon · Producer
鲁豫有约一日行Rogue One: A Star Wars StoryCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
Ip Man 3An Inspector Calls
Chef NicThe Monkey KingKung Fu JungleKung Fu Jungle · Action DirectorIceman
Special IDTogether
All's Well, Ends Well
DragonDragon · Action DirectorThe Lost BladesmanThe Lost Bladesman · ChoreographerAll's Well, End's Well 2011
Running Man14 BladesLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen ZhenLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen · Martial Arts ChoreographerIp Man 2
Club SparkleBodyguards and AssassinsThe Founding of a RepublicHow Bruce Lee Changed the WorldAll's Well, End's Well 2009
Ip ManAn Empress and the WarriorsPainted Skin
Flash PointFlash Point · ProducerFlash Point · Action Director
Be My GuestDragon Tiger GateDragon Tiger Gate · Action DirectorDragon Tiger Gate · Co-ProducerStormbreaker · Action Director
SPL: Kill ZoneSPL: Kill Zone · Martial Arts ChoreographerSeven Swords
The Twins Effect IIThe Twins Effect II · Stunt CoordinatorLove on the RocksProtégé de la Rose Noire · Director'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece
Jimmy Kimmel Live!Shanghai KnightsThe Twins Effect · Co-DirectorThe Twins Effect · Action Director
HeroBlade IIBlade II · Martial Arts ChoreographerFist of FuryThe Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'
Hong Kong SuperstarsReflections on 'the Little Dragon'The Princess Blade · Action DirectorThe Princess Blade · StuntsFist of Fury - Sworn Revenge
Highlander: EndgameHighlander: Endgame · Martial Arts Choreographer
Moonlight Express · Action DirectorMoonlight Express · ChoreographerCity of DarknessDer Puma - Kämpfer mit Herz · Stunts
Shanghai AffairsShanghai Affairs · DirectorBallistic KissBallistic Kiss · DirectorBallistic Kiss · Producer
Legend of the WolfLegend of the Wolf · DirectorLegend of the Wolf · ScreenplayLegend of the Wolf · ProducerLegend of the Wolf · Martial Arts Choreographer
Iron Monkey 2Satan Returns
Full Filmography
168 titles- You are the Best (2025) as Alex Yang
- The Prosecutor (2024) as Fok Chi Ho
- The Prosecutor (2024) Director
- The Prosecutor (2024) Producer
- John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) as Caine
- Sakra (2023) as Qiao Feng / Xiao Feng
- Sakra (2023) Director
- Sakra (2023) Producer
- Crush Over (2023)
- New Kung Fu Cult Master 2 (2022) as Zhang Sanfeng
- The Monkey King: The Legend Begins (2022) as Sun Wukong / Monkey King
- New Kung Fu Cult Master (2022) as Zhang Sanfeng
- Polar Rescue (2022) as A De
- Polar Rescue (2022) Producer
- Raging Fire (2021) as Bong
- Raging Fire (2021) Action Director
- Raging Fire (2021) Producer
- Kung Fu Stuntmen (2021)
- Wuhan Wuhan (2021) Executive Producer
- Mulan (2020) as Commander Tung
- Enter the Fat Dragon (2020) as Fallon Zhu
- Enter the Fat Dragon (2020) Producer
- Bravo Youngsters! (2020)
- 2次重塑 (2020)
- Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019) as Ip Man
- Big Brother (2018) as Henry Chen Xia
- Big Brother (2018) Producer
- Big Brother (2018) Action Director
- The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up (2018)
- Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018) Producer
- Iceman: The Time Traveler (2018) as Ying
- xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017) as Xiang
- xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017) Fight Choreographer
- Roast (2017)
- Chasing the Dragon (2017) as Crippled Ho
- Chasing the Dragon (2017) Producer
- Guardians of Martial Arts (2017) as Master Yen
- The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' (2017) as Self
- 鲁豫有约一日行 (2016)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) as Chirrut Imwe
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016) as Silent Wolf
- Ip Man 3 (2015) as Ip Man
- An Inspector Calls (2015) as Band Members
- Chef Nic (2014)
- The Monkey King (2014) as Sun Wukong / Monkey King
- Kung Fu Jungle (2014) as Hahou Mo
- Kung Fu Jungle (2014) Action Director
- Iceman (2014) as Ying
- Iceman (2014) Producer
- Golden Chickensss (2014) as Yip Man
- Special ID (2013) as Dragon Chan
- Together (2013) as Chan Kwok-Wah
- All's Well, Ends Well (2012) as Carl Tam
- Dragon (2011) as Liu Jinxi / Tang Long
- Dragon (2011) Action Director
- The Lost Bladesman (2011) as Guan Yunchang
- The Lost Bladesman (2011) Choreographer
- All's Well, End's Well 2011 (2011) as Cheng Yu-keung / Arnold Cheng
- Running Man (2010)
- 14 Blades (2010) as Qinglong
- Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010) as Chen Zhen
- Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010) Martial Arts Choreographer
- Ip Man 2 (2010) as Ip Man
- Club Sparkle (2009)
- Bodyguards and Assassins (2009) as Shum Chung Yang
- The Founding of a Republic (2009) as Tian Han
- How Bruce Lee Changed the World (2009) as Self
- All's Well, End's Well 2009 (2009) as Wedding Guest (cameo)
- Ip Man (2008) as Yip Man
- An Empress and the Warriors (2008) as General Muyong Xuehu
- Painted Skin (2008) as Pang Yong
- Flash Point (2007) as Ma
- Flash Point (2007) Producer
- Flash Point (2007) Action Director
- Be My Guest (2006)
- Dragon Tiger Gate (2006) as Dragon Wong
- Dragon Tiger Gate (2006) Action Director
- Dragon Tiger Gate (2006) Co-Producer
- Stormbreaker (2006) Action Director
- Stormbreaker (2006) Stunts
- SPL: Kill Zone (2005) as Inspector Ma Kwun
- SPL: Kill Zone (2005) Martial Arts Choreographer
- Seven Swords (2005) as Chu Zhaonan
- The Twins Effect II (2004) as General Lone
- The Twins Effect II (2004) Stunt Coordinator
- Love on the Rocks (2004) as Victor Tsui
- Protégé de la Rose Noire (2004) Director
- 'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece (2004) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- Shanghai Knights (2003) as Wu Chow
- The Twins Effect (2003) Co-Director
- The Twins Effect (2003) Action Director
- Hero (2002) as Sky
- Blade II (2002) as Snowman
- Blade II (2002) Martial Arts Choreographer
- Fist of Fury (2002) as Chen-Jun
- The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II' (2002) as Self
- The Kung Fu Master (2002) as Hung Hei-Kwun
- Hong Kong Superstars (2001) as Self
- Reflections on 'the Little Dragon' (2001)
- The Princess Blade (2001) Action Director
- The Princess Blade (2001) Stunts
- Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge (2001) as Chen Zhen
- Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge (2001) Martial Arts Choreographer
- Highlander: Endgame (2000) as Jin Ke
- Highlander: Endgame (2000) Martial Arts Choreographer
- Moonlight Express (1999) Action Director
- Moonlight Express (1999) Choreographer
- City of Darkness (1999) as Ozone
- Der Puma - Kämpfer mit Herz (1999) Stunts
- Shanghai Affairs (1998) as Tong Shan
- Shanghai Affairs (1998) Director
- Ballistic Kiss (1998) as Cat Lee
- Ballistic Kiss (1998) Director
- Ballistic Kiss (1998) Producer
- Ballistic Kiss (1998) Martial Arts Choreographer
- Ballistic Kiss (1998) Writer
- Legend of the Wolf (1997) as Fung Man-hin
- Legend of the Wolf (1997) Director
- Legend of the Wolf (1997) Screenplay
- Legend of the Wolf (1997) Producer
- Legend of the Wolf (1997) Martial Arts Choreographer
- 义侠勇闯上海滩 (1997) as 唐山
- Black Rose II (1997) as Boxing School Owner
- Iron Monkey 2 (1996) as Iron Monkey
- Satan Returns (1996) as Nam
- Fist of Fury (1995) as 陈真
- The Saint of Gamblers (1995) as Lung Chat
- High Voltage (1995) as Chiang Ho-Wa
- The Kung Fu Master (1994) as Hung Hei-gun
- Wing Chun (1994) as Leung Pok To
- Wing Chun (1994) Martial Arts Choreographer
- Wing Chun (1994) Action Director
- Cinema of Vengeance (1994) as Self (uncredited)
- Circus Kids (1994) as Danton Lee
- Revenge of the Kung Fu Master (1994) as Hung-Hei Kwun
- Iron Monkey (1993) as Wong Kei-ying
- Heroes Among Heroes (1993) as So Chan
- Butterfly and Sword (1993) as Yip Cheung
- Once Upon a Time in China II (1992) as Commander Lan
- New Dragon Gate Inn (1992) as Eunuch Tso Siu Yan
- New Dragon Gate Inn (1992) Stunt Double
- Cheetah on Fire (1992) as Ronnie
- Crystal Hunt (1992) as Leung / Brett Chan
- A New Life (1991)
- The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead (1991) as Shiang Chin-Fei
- The Crime File (1991)
- Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991 (1991)
- Tiger Cage II (1990) as Dragon Yau
- Tiger Cage II (1990) Martial Arts Choreographer
- File Noir (1989)
- In the Line of Duty 4 (1989) as Captain Donnie Yan
- Flying Squads (1989) as Cheung Ho-nam
- Tiger Cage (1988) as Terry
- Tiger Cage (1988) Martial Arts Choreographer
- The Last Conflict (1988) as Dickson Kwan
- The Close Encounters of Vampire (1986) Choreographer
- Mismatched Couples (1985) as Eddie
- Drunken Tai Chi (1984) as Chan Chuen Chung
- The Miracle Fighters (1982) Stunt Double
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- 狠家伙 Executive Producer
- Caine as Caine
- Caine Director
- Caine Executive Producer
- Kung Fu
- Ip Man 5 as Ip Man
- Flash Point: Resurgence as Det. Sgt. Ma Jun
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Donnie Yen best known for?
Donnie Yen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Prosecutor (2024), The Prosecutor (2024), The Prosecutor (2024), John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023).
When and where was Donnie Yen born?
Donnie Yen was born on July 27, 1963 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
How many credits does Donnie Yen have?
Donnie Yen has accumulated over 168 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1953 to 2025.
What is Donnie Yen's background in cinema and television?
Donnie Yen Chi-tan, born on July 27, 1963, in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, is a Hong Kong-based actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He moved to Hong Kong at age two and later relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, at age 11. His mother, Bow-sim Mark, was a kung fu master, and his father, Kylster Yen, wa...
Donnie Yen by the numbers
168credits
150films
18TV series
1953–2025active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Running Man (2010) — aged about 46
- Ip Man (2008) as Yip Man — aged about 44
- John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) as Caine — aged about 59
- Big Brother (2018) as Henry Chen Xia — aged about 54
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) as Chirrut Imwe — aged about 52
- Ip Man 2 (2010) as Ip Man — aged about 46
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