Vivian Wu | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Chinese name | 鄔君梅 (traditional) |
Chinese name | 邬君梅 (simplified) |
Pinyin | Wū Jūnméi (Mandarin) |
Birth name | Wu Jun Mei |
Born |
Shanghai, China |
February 5, 1966
Other name(s) | Wu Jun Mei Junmei Wu |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1981–present |
Spouse(s) | Oscar L. Costo (1996–present) |
Vivian Wu (simplified Chinese: 邬君梅; traditional Chinese: 鄔君梅; pinyin: Wū Jūnméi; born February 5, 1966) is a Chinese actress, known for her roles in The Last Emperor (1987), Heaven & Earth (1993), The Joy Luck Club (1993), and The Pillow Book (1996) and as the historical figure of Soong Mei-ling, commonly referred to as Madam Chiang Kai-shek, in The Soong Sisters (1997 film) and The Founding of a Republic (2009 film) and Departed Heroes (2011 TV series).
Wu began acting at the age of fifteen in Shanghai Film Studio. In 1987, she attended the Hawaii Pacific University, studying tourism.
Wu made her first film appearance in 1987, as Wenxiu in Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor. She later appeared in the poorly received The Guyver, alongside Mark Hamill. She gained some critical acclaim, after appearing in The Joy Luck Club (1993), and The Pillow Book (1996), as Nagiko, a Japanese model, alongside Ewan McGregor. Beside films, she has also worked in television, making guest appearances in shows, such as The Untouchables, L.A. Law, Tales from the Crypt, Highlander: The Series, JAG, Murder, She Wrote, F/X: The Series, ER, and Ghost Whisperer. She also starred in the live action video game Supreme Warrior (1994). As May–Lin Eng in Eve and the Fire Horse (2005), Wu gained an Genie Award nomination. She also appeared in the Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb as Mei Ying.