Joan Chen

Biography

Joan Chong Chen (born April 26, 1961) is a Chinese American actress, film director, screenwriter and film producer. She became famous in China for her performance in the 1979 film Little Flower and came to international attention for her performance in the 1987 Academy Award-winning film The Last Emperor. She is also known for her roles in Twin Peaks, Red Rose White Rose, Saving Face and The Home Song Stories, and for directing the feature film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.

Career Overview

Joan Chen has 112 screen credits in a career dating back to 1977. Their work spans 2 cinematic universes — most prominently Sheep Without a Shepherd Series with 1 titles. Signature works include Remarkably Bright Creatures, The Home Song Stories, Lust, Caution. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For: Acting
Gender: female
Known Credits: 112
Birth Date: 1961-04-26 00:00:00
Birth Place: Shanghai, China

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 2 universes

Sheep Without a Shepherd Series (1 titles)
Judge Dredd (1 titles)

Frequent Collaborators

Lisa Lu (2 collaborations)
Sally Field (1 collaborations)
Lewis Pullman (1 collaborations)
Alfred Molina (1 collaborations)
Colm Meaney (1 collaborations)
Kathy Baker (1 collaborations)
Beth Grant (1 collaborations)
Brandon McEwan (1 collaborations)
Sofia Black-D'Elia (1 collaborations)
Laura Harris (1 collaborations)

Credits

actors (99 credits)
- The Evil Inside
  Ho Jen-Jen / "Golden Phoenix"
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- Tonight at Noon
  Joan
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- Flayer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- The Making of Dìdi
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- Remarkably Bright Creatures
  Janice Kim
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- No Other Love
  Ms. Miao
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- Montreal, My Beautiful
  Feng Xia
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- Oh. What. Fun.
  Jeanne Wang-Wasserman
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2025
- The Wedding Banquet
  May Chen
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2025
- Slow Conversation
  
  - Episode 22 (2026) ... actor actors
  
  2025
- Dìdi (弟弟)
  Chungsing Wang
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2024
- A Murder at the End of the World
  Lu Mei
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  - Retreat (2023) ... Lu Mei actor actors
  
  - Crime Seen (2023) ... Lu Mei actor actors
  
  - Crypt (2023) ... Lu Mei actor actors
  
  - Family Secrets (2023) ... Lu Mei actor actors
  
  - Survivors (2023) ... Lu Mei actor actors
  
  2023
- Under the Light
  He Xiuli
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2023
- Hachiko
  Li Jiazhen
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2023
- Logic Paralyzes the Heart
  Cyborg #1
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2022
- Breathe
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- Ava
  Toni
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- Tigertail
  Yuan
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- Sheep Without a Shepherd
  La Wen
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2019
- The House That Never Dies II
  医生
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2017
- The One
  汤母·柯露思
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2017
- Wonderland
  Susan
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2017
- Critical Lifeline
  Xin Zhou
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2016
- Thirteen Talks
  
  - Episode 2 (2019) ... actor actors
  
  2016
- Cairo Declaration
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- Lady of the Dynasty
  Consort Wu
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- You Are My Sunshine
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- 旗
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- Marco Polo
  Empress Chabi
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  - The Fellowship (2016) ... Empress Chabi actor actors
  
  - Heirs (2016) ... Empress Chabi actor actors
  
  - Whitehorse (2016) ... Empress Chabi actor actors
  
  - Lost Crane (2016) ... Empress Chabi actor actors
  
  - Serpent's Terms (2016) ... Empress Chabi actor actors
  
  2014
- For Love or Money
  Xu's mother
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2014
- Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
  Josie Packard
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2014
- White Frog
  Irene Young
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2013
- Double Xposure
  Dr. Hao
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Let It Be
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Passion Island
  Joanna
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Hemingway & Gellhorn
  Madame Chiang Kai Shek
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties
  
  - Episode 68 (2013) ... Empress Wenxian of Sui actor actors
  
  - Episode 67 (2013) ... Empress Wenxian of Sui actor actors
  
  - Episode 66 (2013) ... Empress Wenxian of Sui actor actors
  
  - Episode 65 (2013) ... Empress Wenxian of Sui actor actors
  
  - Episode 64 (2013) ... Empress Wenxian of Sui actor actors
  
  2012
- 1911
  Longyu
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- Color Me Love
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Love in Disguise
  Joan
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Journey to the West
  Guanyin
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  - 波生极乐天 () ... Guanyin actor actors
  
  - 辛苦到灵山 () ... Guanyin actor actors
  
  - 干戈化玉帛 () ... Guanyin actor actors
  
  - 识破玉兔精 () ... Guanyin actor actors
  
  - 天竺蹊跷事 () ... Guanyin actor actors
  
  2010
- To Whom It May Concern: Ka Shen's Journey
  Herself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Mao’s Last Dancer
  Niang
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- All God's Children Can Dance
  Evelyn
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- 24 City
  Xiao Hua
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- The Leap Years
  Li-Ann (age 48)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Shi Qi
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Fringe
  
  - Immortality (2011) ... Reiko actor actors
  
  2008
- Secrets from Another Place: Creating Twin Peaks
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Lust, Caution
  Mrs. Yee
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- The Sun Also Rises
  Dr. Lin
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Hollywood Chinese
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- The Home Song Stories
  Rose Hong / Hong Meigui
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Americanese
  Betty Nguyen
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- Sunflower
  Zhang Xiuqing
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Cyber Wars
  Madame Ong
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Saving Face
  Ma
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Jasmine Women
  Elder Mo
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- What's Cooking?
  Trinh Nguyen
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2000
- Purple Storm
  Shirley Kwan
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1999
- In a Class of His Own
  Linda Ching
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1999
- Precious Find
  Camilla Jones
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1996
- Wild Side
  Virginia Chow
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1996
- Judge Dredd
  Dr. Ilsa Hayden
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1995
- Stallone's Law: The Making of 'Judge Dredd'
  Herself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1995
- The Hunted
  Kirina
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1995
- The Outer Limits
  
  - Phobos Rising (1998) ... Major Dara Talif actor actors
  
  1995
- Red Rose White Rose
  Wang Jiaohui
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1994
- On Deadly Ground
  Masu
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1994
- Golden Gate
  Marilyn Song
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1994
- Heaven & Earth
  Mama
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1993
- Temptation of a Monk
  Princess Hong-e - Scarlet / Qing-shou - Violet
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1993
- Homicide: Life on the Street
  
  - Wu's on First? (1997) ... Elizabeth Wu actor actors
  
  1993
- Shadow of a Stranger
  Vanessa
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- Steel Justice
  Nicole Loa
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- Strangers
  The Girl (Small Sounds and Tilting Shadows)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- Turtle Beach
  Minou
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- Wedlock
  Noelle
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1991
- Twin Peaks
  
  - Beyond Life and Death (1991) ... Jocelyn Packard actor actors
  
  - Miss Twin Peaks (1991) ... Jocelyn Packard actor actors
  
  - The Path to the Black Lodge (1991) ... Jocelyn Packard actor actors
  
  - Variations on Relations (1991) ... Jocelyn Packard actor actors
  
  - On the Wings of Love (1991) ... Jocelyn Packard actor actors
  
  1990
- Twin Peaks
  Jocelyn Packard
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1989
- The Blood of Heroes
  Kidda
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1989
- Tales from the Crypt
  
  - Food for Thought (1993) ... Connie actor actors
  
  1989
- Dim Sum Take-Out
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1988
- The Last Emperor
  Wan Jung
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1987
- The Night Stalker
  Mai Wing
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1987
- Tai-Pan
  May-May
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1986
- Goodbye My Hero
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1986
- Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart
  Young M.J. Player
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1985
- MacGyver
  
  - The Golden Triangle (1985) ... Lin actor actors
  
  1985
- Miami Vice
  
  - Golden Triangle (2) (1985) ... May Ying actor actors
  
  - Golden Triangle (1) (1985) ... May Ying actor actors
  
  1984
- Peking Encounter
  GUIDE
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1982
- Knight Rider
  
  - Knight of the Drones (1984) ... Su-Lin actor actors
  
  1982
- Matt Houston
  
  - Target: Miss World (1983) ... actor actors
  
  1982
- Awakening
  Su Xiaomei
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1981
- The Little Flower
  赵小花
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1979
- A Loyal Overseas Chinese Family
  黄思华
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1979
- Youth
  Shen Yamei
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1977
- Golden Horse Awards
  
  - Episode 1 (2007) ... Self actor actors
  
  - Episode 1 (1998) ... Self actor actors
  
  - Episode 1 (1994) ... Self actor actors
  
  1962
- The Oscars
  
  - The 66th Annual Academy Awards (1994) ... Self actor actors
  
  1953
directing (6 credits)
- English
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2026
- Hero
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2022
- The Iron Hammer
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2020
- Shanghai Strangers
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2012
- Autumn in New York
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2000
- Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1998
production (4 credits)
- The Truck
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2024
- Dìdi (弟弟)
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2024
- Breathe
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  2021
- Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1998
writing (3 credits)
- Hero
  
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  2022
- Shanghai Strangers
  
  writer
  
  writing
  
  2012
- Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl
  
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1998

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q270672), public domain (CC0).