Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actress, Cheng Pei-pei, has died at the age of 78 from a degenerative brain disease.
Born in Shanghai in 1946, Cheng moved to Hong Kong in 1962, where she began her career with the renowned Shaw Brothers studio, a key player in the popularization of kung-fu movies. Her film debut came with the 1964 drama Lovers’ Rock. her background in ballet and dance quickly propelled her to stardom in martial arts, action, and swordplay films.
Her breakout role came with the 1966 action film Come Drink With Me, directed by King Hu. Although it was selected as Hong Kong’s entry for the Oscars, it did not secure a nomination.
In the 1970s, Cheng relocated to San Francisco, where she attended business school at the University of California, Irvine, while raising her four children, who all pursued careers in show business.
Cheng’s most iconic role was as the antagonist Jade Fox in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). The film won four Academy Awards and became the first foreign-language film to gross over $100 million in the U.S.
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Her later career featured roles in Naked Weapon and the Hyde Park Entertainment’s adaptation of the Capcom game Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li. She also appeared in Lilting (2014) and Disney’s 2020 live-action remake of Mulan as The Matchmaker.
Casting director and producer Mike Leeder described Cheng as a, “very talented actress, and a lovely lady, who raised 4 children, her son Harry, and daughters Jennifer, Eugenia and Marsha.”
Leeder said he “had the pleasure of working with Pei-pei, Marsha & Eugenia over the years and my thoughts are with them and the rest of her family.”
Cheng is survived by her four children, Eugenia, Jennifer, Harry, and Marsha, as well as her grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Cheng requested donations be made to the Brain Support Network (BSN), where her brain was donated.
On Instagram, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star Michelle Yeoh paid tribute to the late actress. “Heartfelt condolences to Pei Pei Jie’s family, friends and fans… we will miss your kindness and shining talent RIP,” Yeoh wrote.
