Donnie Yen Chi-tan is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Golden Horse Awards and five Hong Kong Film Awards. He is best known for portraying Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the Ip Man film series, namely Ip Man (2008), Ip Man 2 (2010), Ip Man 3 (2015), and Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019). He also served as co-producer for the spin-off Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018).
Donnie Yen Chi-tan is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Golden Horse Awards and five Hong Kong Film Awards. He is best known for portraying Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the Ip Man film series, namely Ip Man (2008), Ip Man 2 (2010), Ip Man 3 (2015), and Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019). He also served as co-producer for the spin-off Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018).
Born in Guangdong, Yen developed an interest in martial arts at a young age, and began experimenting with various styles, including tai chi and other traditional Chinese martial arts. At age 18, he auditioned for action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping in Hong Kong. He landed his first starring role in the 1984 Hong Kong martial arts action film Drunken Tai Chi. He made his breakthrough role as the antagonist General Nap-lan in Once Upon a Time in China II (1992), opposite Jet Li's character. He appeared in several other Hong Kong kung fu films, including Iron Monkey (1993) and Wing Chun (1994). In 1997, he starred in his directorial debut film Legend of the Wolf.
Yen made his American debut in Highlander: Endgame (2000), followed by a cameo in Blade II (2002). He went on to appear in the American films Shanghai Knights (2003), Rogue One (2016), XXX: Return of Xander Cage (2017), Mulan (2020), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). He has continued to be active in Hong Kong cinema, appearing in the well-received films Hero (2002), SPL: Sha Po Lang (2005), 14 Blades (2010), Wu Xia (2011), Kung Fu Jungle (2014), Chasing the Dragon (2017), Enter the Fat Dragon (2020), Raging Fire (2021), and The Prosecutor (2024), among others. In television, Yen portrayed fictional character Chen Zhen in the television series Fist of Fury (1995); he reprised the role in the 2010 film Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen.
For portraying Ip Man in the Ip Man film series (2008-2019), Yen is credited by many for contributing to the popularisation of Wing Chun in China. Alongside Kung fu, particularly Wing Chun, Yen is also known for incorporating mixed martial arts (MMA) elements into his action choreography. Aside from his acting, in 1997, he established his own production company, Bullet Films, which choreographed the action for Western blockbusters like Blade II (2002) and Stormbreaker (2006).
External links
Filmography (Movies)
You are the Best
Character:Alex Yang
Release Date:17/07/2025
The Prosecutor
Character:Fok Chi Ho
Release Date:08/12/2024
John Wick: Chapter 4
Character:Caine
Release Date:22/03/2023
Sakra
Character:Qiao Feng / Xiao Feng
Release Date:16/01/2023
The Monkey King: The Legend Begins
Character:Sun Wukong / Monkey King
Release Date:02/11/2022
Polar Rescue
Character:A De
Release Date:03/10/2022
New Kung Fu Cult Master 2
Character:Zhang Sanfeng
Release Date:12/02/2022
New Kung Fu Cult Master
Character:Zhang Sanfeng
Release Date:28/01/2022
Kung Fu Stuntmen
Character:
Release Date:28/08/2021
Raging Fire
Character:Bong
Release Date:28/07/2021
2021 China Central Radio and TV Station Spring Festival Gala
Character:
Release Date:11/02/2021
Mulan
Character:Commander Tung
Release Date:04/09/2020
Enter the Fat Dragon
Character:Fallon Zhu
Release Date:23/01/2020
Ip Man 4: The Finale
Character:Ip Man
Release Date:19/12/2019
Iceman: The Time Traveler
Character:Ying
Release Date:02/11/2018
Big Brother
Character:Henry Chen Xia / Chan Hak
Release Date:16/08/2018
Guardians of Martial Arts
Character:Master Yen
Release Date:11/11/2017
Chasing the Dragon
Character:Crippled Ho
Release Date:28/09/2017
The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
Character:Self
Release Date:04/04/2017
xXx: Return of Xander Cage
Character:Xiang
Release Date:13/01/2017
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Character:Chirrut Imwe
Release Date:14/12/2016
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
Character:Silent Wolf
Release Date:18/02/2016
Ip Man 3
Character:Ip Man
Release Date:24/12/2015
An Inspector Calls
Character:Band Members
Release Date:19/02/2015
Kung Fu Jungle
Character:Hahou Mo
Release Date:31/10/2014
Iceman
Character:Ying
Release Date:17/04/2014
Golden Chickensss
Character:Yip Man
Release Date:30/01/2014
The Monkey King
Character:Sun Wukong / Monkey King
Release Date:09/01/2014
Special ID
Character:Dragon Chan
Release Date:17/10/2013
Together
Character:Chan Kwok-Wah
Release Date:13/02/2013
All's Well, Ends Well
Character:Carl Tam
Release Date:19/01/2012
Dragon
Character:Liu Jinxi / Tang Long
Release Date:04/07/2011
The Lost Bladesman
Character:Guan Yunchang
Release Date:28/04/2011
All's Well, Ends Well 2011
Character:Cheng Yu-keung / Arnold Cheng
Release Date:02/02/2011
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
Character:Chen Zhen
Release Date:01/09/2010
Ip Man 2
Character:Ip Man
Release Date:29/04/2010
14 Blades
Character:Qinglong
Release Date:04/02/2010
Bodyguards and Assassins
Character:Sum Chung-Yang
Release Date:18/12/2009
The Founding of a Republic
Character:Tian Han
Release Date:17/09/2009
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
Character:Self
Release Date:17/05/2009
All's Well, Ends Well 2009
Character:Wedding Guest
Release Date:22/01/2009
Ip Man
Character:Yip Man
Release Date:12/12/2008
Painted Skin
Character:Pang Yong
Release Date:25/09/2008
An Empress and the Warriors
Character:General Muyong Xuehu
Release Date:09/02/2008
Flash Point
Character:Ma
Release Date:26/07/2007
Dragon Tiger Gate
Character:Tiger Wong
Release Date:27/07/2006
SPL: Kill Zone
Character:Inspector Ma Kwun
Release Date:18/11/2005
Seven Swords
Character:Chu Zhaonan
Release Date:25/07/2005
'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece
Character:Self
Release Date:30/11/2004
The Twins Effect II
Character:General Lone
Release Date:12/08/2004
Love on the Rocks
Character:Victor Tsui
Release Date:08/04/2004
Shanghai Knights
Character:Wu Chow
Release Date:06/02/2003
The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'
Character:Self
Release Date:03/09/2002
The Kung Fu Master
Character:Hung Hei-Kwun
Release Date:30/07/2002
Hero
Character:Sky
Release Date:22/07/2002
Fist of Fury
Character:Chen-Jun
Release Date:30/04/2002
Blade II
Character:Snowman
Release Date:22/03/2002
Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge
Character:Chen Zhen
Release Date:26/11/2001
Hong Kong Superstars
Character:Self
Release Date:01/01/2001
Highlander: Endgame
Character:Jin Ke
Release Date:01/09/2000
City of Darkness
Character:Ozone
Release Date:01/01/1999
Shanghai Affairs
Character:Tong Shan
Release Date:03/07/1998
Ballistic Kiss
Character:Cat Lee
Release Date:21/03/1998
Legend of the Wolf
Character:Fung Man-hin
Release Date:14/06/1997
Black Rose II
Character:Boxing School Owner
Release Date:01/03/1997
义侠勇闯上海滩
Character:唐山
Release Date:01/01/1997
Satan Returns
Character:Nam
Release Date:17/05/1996
Iron Monkey 2
Character:Iron Monkey
Release Date:24/04/1996
The Saint of Gamblers
Character:Lung Chat
Release Date:28/06/1995
High Voltage
Character:Chiang Ho-Wa
Release Date:14/01/1995
Circus Kids
Character:Danton Lee
Release Date:09/10/1994
Revenge of the Kung Fu Master
Character:Hung-Hei Kwun
Release Date:23/09/1994
Wing Chun
Character:Leung Pok To
Release Date:24/03/1994
Cinema of Vengeance
Character:Self (uncredited)
Release Date:01/01/1994
Heroes Among Heroes
Character:So Chan
Release Date:11/11/1993
Iron Monkey
Character:Wong Kei-ying
Release Date:03/09/1993
Butterfly and Sword
Character:Yip Cheung
Release Date:16/01/1993
Dragon Inn
Character:Eunuch Tso Siu Yan
Release Date:22/08/1992
Once Upon a Time in China II
Character:Commander Lan
Release Date:16/04/1992
Crystal Hunt
Character:Leung / Brett Chan
Release Date:19/01/1992
Cheetah on Fire
Character:Ronnie
Release Date:01/01/1992
The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead
Character:Shiang Chin-Fei
Release Date:07/06/1991
Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991
Character:
Release Date:01/04/1991
Tiger Cage II
Character:Dragon Yau
Release Date:11/08/1990
In the Line of Duty 4
Character:Captain Donnie Yan
Release Date:21/07/1989
Tiger Cage
Character:Terry
Release Date:28/07/1988
The Last Conflict
Character:Dickson Kwan
Release Date:01/01/1988
Mismatched Couples
Character:Eddie
Release Date:03/04/1985
Drunken Tai Chi
Character:Chan Chuen Chung
Release Date:31/05/1984
Television Appearances
Armor Hero Star Ray
Character:General Qiu Bai
Crush Over
Character:
Bravo Youngsters!
Character:
2次重塑
Character:
The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up
Character:
Roast
Character:
鲁豫有约一日行
Character:
Chef Nic
Character:
Running Man
Character:
Club Sparkle
Character:
Be My Guest
Character:
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Character:Self
Fist of Fury
Character:陈真
The Kung Fu Master
Character:Hung Hei-gun
A New Life
Character:
The Crime File
Character:
Flying Squads
Character:Cheung Ho-nam
File Noir
Character:
The Oscars
Character:Self
Images
