Donnie Yen
Known for Acting · 111 credits
- Born
- 1963-07-27 (age 62)
- Place of birth
- Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Also known as
- Donnie Yen Ji-Dan · Yen Ji-Dan · Yen Chi-Tan · Yan Chi-Tan · Yen Chi-Ten · Yin Sze-Dan
Biography
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).
Known For
TV Shows (18)
Running Man
2010
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
as Self - Guest
The Oscars
1953
as Self
鲁豫有约一日行
2016
Roast
2017
Chef Nic
2014
Club Sparkle
2009
The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up
2018
Be My Guest
2006
File Noir
1989
Fist of Fury
1995
as 陈真
Flying Squads
1989
as Cheung Ho-nam
The Kung Fu Master
1994
as Hung Hei-gun
Crush Over
2023
A New Life
1991
Bravo Youngsters!
2020
The Crime File
1991
2次重塑
2020
Movies (93)
John Wick: Chapter 4
2023
as Caine
xXx: Return of Xander Cage
2017
as Xiang
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
2016
as Chirrut Imwe
Hero
2002
as Sky
Big Brother
2018
as Henry Chen Xia
Mulan
2020
as Commander Tung
Sakra
2023
as Qiao Feng / Xiao Feng
Blade II
2002
as Snowman
The Prosecutor
2024
as Fok Chi Ho
Flash Point
2007
as Ma
SPL: Kill Zone
2005
as Inspector Ma Kwun
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
2016
as Silent Wolf
Raging Fire
2021
as Bong
New Dragon Gate Inn
1992
as Eunuch Tso Siu Yan
The Monkey King
2014
as Sun Wukong / Monkey King
Ip Man
2008
as Yip Man
Kung Fu Jungle
2014
as Hahou Mo
The Twins Effect II
2004
as General Lone
Shanghai Knights
2003
as Wu Chow
14 Blades
2010
as Qinglong
Ip Man 3
2015
as Ip Man
Chasing the Dragon
2017
as Crippled Ho
Once Upon a Time in China II
1992
as Commander Lan
The Founding of a Republic
2009
as Tian Han
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
2010
as Chen Zhen
Bodyguards and Assassins
2009
as Sum Chung-Yang
Ip Man 4: The Finale
2019
as Ip Man
Seven Swords
2005
as Chu Zhaonan
Dragon
2011
as Liu Jinxi / Tang Long
Dragon Tiger Gate
2006
as Tiger Wong
Iron Monkey
1993
as Wong Kei-ying
Tiger Cage II
1990
as Dragon Yau
Painted Skin
2008
as Pang Yong
New Kung Fu Cult Master
2022
as Zhang Sanfeng
'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece
2004
as Self
Enter the Fat Dragon
2020
as Fallon Zhu
Highlander: Endgame
2000
as Jin Ke
Wing Chun
1994
as Leung Pok To
Love on the Rocks
2004
as Victor Tsui
An Empress and the Warriors
2008
as General Muyong Xuehu
Legend of the Wolf
1997
as Fung Man-hin
Iceman
2014
as Ying
In the Line of Duty 4
1989
as Captain Donnie Yan
New Kung Fu Cult Master 2
2022
as Zhang Sanfeng
Special ID
2013
as Dragon Chan
The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
2017
as Self
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
2009
as Self
The Lost Bladesman
2011
as Guan Yunchang
All's Well, End's Well 2011
2011
as Cheng Yu-keung / Arnold Cheng
An Inspector Calls
2015
as Band Members
The Saint of Gamblers
1995
as Lung Chat
Mismatched Couples
1985
as Eddie
All's Well, End's Well 2009
2009
as Wedding Guest (cameo)
All's Well, Ends Well
2012
as Carl Tam
Kung Fu Stuntmen
2021
Golden Chickensss
2014
as Yip Man
Guardians of Martial Arts
2017
as Master Yen
Heroes Among Heroes
1993
as So Chan
The Last Conflict
1988
as Dickson Kwan
The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead
1991
as Shiang Chin-Fei
Tiger Cage
1988
as Terry
Revenge of the Kung Fu Master
1994
as Hung-Hei Kwun
Crystal Hunt
1992
as Leung / Brett Chan
You are the Best
2025
as Alex Yang
Satan Returns
1996
as Nam
Butterfly and Sword
1993
as Yip Cheung
Cheetah on Fire
1992
as Ronnie
Drunken Tai Chi
1984
as Chan Chuen Chung
The Monkey King: The Legend Begins
2022
as Sun Wukong / Monkey King
City of Darkness
1999
as Ozone
Hong Kong Superstars
2001
as Self
Ballistic Kiss
1998
as Cat Lee
Caine
as Caine
Together
2013
as Chan Kwok-Wah
Iceman: The Time Traveler
2018
as Ying
Black Rose II
1997
as Boxing School Owner
Ip Man 2
2010
as Ip Man
Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge
2001
as Chen Zhen
Iron Monkey 2
1996
as Iron Monkey
Polar Rescue
2022
as A De
Circus Kids
1994
as Danton Lee
Cinema of Vengeance
1994
as Self (uncredited)
The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'
2002
as Self
Shanghai Affairs
1998
as Tong Shan
High Voltage
1995
as Chiang Ho-Wa
The Kung Fu Master
2002
as Hung Hei-Kwun
Kung Fu
Ip Man 5
as Ip Man
Flash Point: Resurgence
as Det. Sgt. Ma Jun
Fist of Fury
2002
as Chen-Jun
Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991
1991
义侠勇闯上海滩
1997
as 唐山
Reflections on 'the Little Dragon'
2001
About Donnie Yen
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 experim… With 111 credits spanning from 1953 to 2025, Donnie Yen has appeared in 93 films and 18 TV shows.
Fans searching for Donnie Yen movies, Donnie Yen filmography, or the latest projects starring Donnie Yen can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Donnie Yen Movies
- John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) — as Caine
- xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017) — as Xiang
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) — as Chirrut Imwe
- Hero (2002) — as Sky
- Big Brother (2018) — as Henry Chen Xia
Where to Watch Donnie Yen Films
Most Donnie Yen movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Donnie Yen, check our movies catalogue and browse page.