Joan Chen
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- April 26, 1961 in Shanghai, China
- Active Years
- 1953–2026 (74 Years)
- Total Credits
- 131 credits in database
Biography
Joan Chen is a Chinese American actress born on April 26, 1961, in Shanghai, China. She gained fame in China for her performance in the 1979 film Little Flower and international attention for her role in the 1987 film The Last Emperor. Chen is also known for her roles in Twin Peaks, Red Rose White Rose, Saving Face, and The Home Song Stories. She has a total of 120 known acting credits. Chen has worked in the film industry for over four decades, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Her early success in China and subsequent international recognition have solidified her position as a notable figure in the entertainment industry.
Career overview
Joan Chen is a Chinese American actress known for her performances in various films and television shows. She gained fame in China for her role in the 1979 film Little Flower. Chen's international breakthrough came with her performance in the 1987 film The Last Emperor, which won an Academy Award.
Chen has also appeared in several other notable projects, including Twin Peaks, Red Rose White Rose, Saving Face, and The Home Song Stories. Her acting credits span multiple genres and mediums, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Throughout her career, Joan Chen has demonstrated her ability to take on a wide range of roles, from dramatic performances in films like The Last Emperor to her work in television shows such as Twin Peaks. Her extensive body of work has earned her recognition and respect within the film industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
131 titles- Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026) as Janice Kim
- Montreal, My Beautiful (2026) as Feng Xia
- No Other Love (2026) as Ms. Miao
- Oh. What. Fun. (2025) as Jeanne Wang-Wasserman
- The Wedding Banquet (2025) as May Chen
- Dìdi (弟弟) (2024) as Chungsing Wang
- Dìdi (弟弟) (2024) Executive Producer
- The Truck (2024) Executive Producer
- The Heart (2023) as Fang Zhuqing
- A Murder at the End of the World (2023) as Lu Mei
- Hachiko (2023) as Li Jiazhen
- Under the Light (2023) as He Xiuli
- Hero (2022) Screenplay
- Hero (2022) Director
- Logic Paralyzes the Heart (2022) as Cyborg #1
- Breathe (2021)
- Breathe (2021) Producer
- Ava (2020) as Toni
- The Way to World Culture (2020)
- Tigertail (2020) as Yuan
- The Iron Hammer (2020) Director
- My Brilliant Masters (2019)
- Sheep Without a Shepherd (2019) as La Wen
- The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up (2018)
- The One (2017) as 汤母·柯露思
- The House That Never Dies II (2017) as 医生
- Wonderland (2017) as Susan
- 鲁豫有约一日行 (2016)
- Thirteen Talks (2016)
- Critical Lifeline (2016) as Xin Zhou
- Nature Is Speaking (2015) as Sky / Tiankong
- Lady of the Dynasty (2015) as Consort Wu
- You Are My Sunshine (2015)
- 旗 (2015)
- Cairo Declaration (2015)
- Marco Polo (2014) as Empress Chabi
- Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) as Josie Packard
- For Love or Money (2014) as Xu's mother
- Meng's Palace (2013)
- Serangoon Road (2013) as Patricia Cheng
- 笑傲江湖 (2013) as Yue Lingshan
- 笑傲江湖 (2013) as Dongfang Bubai
- White Frog (2013) as Irene Young
- Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties (2012) as Empress Wenxian of Sui
- Hemingway & Gellhorn (2012) as Madame Chiang Kai Shek
- Shanghai Strangers (2012) Director
- Shanghai Strangers (2012) Writer
- Double Xposure (2012) as Dr. Hao
- Passion Island (2012) as Joanna
- Let It Be (2012)
- 1911 (2011) as Longyu
- Journey to the West (2010) as Guanyin
- Love in Disguise (2010) as Joan
- Color Me Love (2010)
- To Whom It May Concern: Ka Shen's Journey (2010) as Herself
- 人到中年 (2009)
- Mao’s Last Dancer (2009) as Niang
- Fringe (2008) as Reiko
- 24 City (2008) as Xiao Hua
- All God's Children Can Dance (2008) as Evelyn
- The Leap Years (2008) as Li-Ann (age 48)
- Shi Qi (2008)
- Lust, Caution (2007) as Mrs. Yee
- The Sun Also Rises (2007) as Dr. Lin
- The Home Song Stories (2007) as Rose Hong / Hong Meigui
- Hollywood Chinese (2007) as Self
- Secrets from Another Place: Creating Twin Peaks (2007) as Self
- Americanese (2006) as Betty Nguyen
- Sunflower (2005) as Zhang Xiuqing
- Saving Face (2004) as Ma
- Jasmine Women (2004) as Elder Mo
- Cyber Wars (2004) as Madame Ong
- Autumn in New York (2000) Director
- What's Cooking? (2000) as Trinh Nguyen
- In a Class of His Own (1999) as Linda Ching
- Purple Storm (1999) as Shirley Kwan
- Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1998) Director
- Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1998) Producer
- Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1998) Executive Producer
- Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1998) Screenplay
- Precious Find (1996) as Camilla Jones
- Wild Side (1996) as Virginia Chow
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Major Dara Talif
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Princess Jade (voice)
- Judge Dredd (1995) as Dr. Ilsa Hayden
- The Hunted (1995) as Kirina
- Stallone's Law: The Making of 'Judge Dredd' (1995) as Herself
- On Deadly Ground (1994) as Masu
- Red Rose White Rose (1994) as Wang Jiaohui
- Golden Gate (1994) as Marilyn Song
- Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) as Elizabeth Wu
- Temptation of a Monk (1993) as Princess Hong-e - Scarlet / Qing-shou - Violet
- Heaven & Earth (1993) as Mama
- Nightmare Cafe (1992) as Cafe Customer
- Children of the Dragon (1992) as Jin-Juan
- Turtle Beach (1992) as Minou
- Steel Justice (1992) as Nicole Loa
- Shadow of a Stranger (1992) as Vanessa
- Strangers (1992) as The Girl (Small Sounds and Tilting Shadows)
- Wedlock (1991) as Noelle
- Twin Peaks (1990) as Jocelyn Packard
- Twin Peaks (1990) as Josie Packard (archive footage)
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Connie
- Twin Peaks (1989) as Jocelyn Packard
- The Blood of Heroes (1989) as Kidda
- Dim Sum Take-Out (1988)
- Wiseguy (1987)
- The Last Emperor (1987) as Wan Jung
- The Night Stalker (1987) as Mai Wing
- Tai-Pan (1986) as May-May
- Goodbye My Hero (1986)
- MacGyver (1985) as Lin
- Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart (1985) as Young M.J. Player
- Miami Vice (1984) as May Ying
- Knight Rider (1982) as Su-Lin
- American Playhouse (1982) as Mei Lai
- American Playhouse (1982) as Young Mahjong Player
- American Playhouse (1982) as Marilyn Song
- Matt Houston (1982)
- Peking Encounter (1982) as GUIDE
- Awakening (1981) as Su Xiaomei
- A Loyal Overseas Chinese Family (1979) as 黄思华
- The Little Flower (1979) as 赵小花
- Youth (1977) as Shen Yamei
- Golden Horse Awards (1962) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Tonight at Noon as Joan
- Flayer
- The Evil Inside as Ho Jen-Jen / "Golden Phoenix"
- The Making of Dìdi
- English Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Joan Chen best known for?
Joan Chen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026), Montreal, My Beautiful (2026), Oh. What. Fun. (2025), The Wedding Banquet (2025).
When and where was Joan Chen born?
Joan Chen was born on April 26, 1961 in Shanghai, China.
How many credits does Joan Chen have?
Joan Chen has accumulated over 131 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1953 to 2026.
What is Joan Chen's background in cinema and television?
Joan Chen is a Chinese American actress born on April 26, 1961, in Shanghai, China. She gained fame in China for her performance in the 1979 film Little Flower and international attention for her role in the 1987 film The Last Emperor. Chen is also known for her roles in Twin Peaks, Red Rose White Rose, Saving Face, an...
Joan Chen by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Journey to the West (2010) as Guanyin — aged about 49
- Golden Horse Awards (1962) as Self — aged about 1
- Thirteen Talks (2016) — aged about 55
- The Heart (2023) as Fang Zhuqing — aged about 62
- Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026) as Janice Kim — aged about 65
- Twin Peaks (1990) as Jocelyn Packard — aged about 29
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