Joan Chen is a Chinese born American actress and film director. Born on April 26, 1961, she made her film debut in *Youth* in 1977 and gained prominence in China with *Little Flower* in 1979. International audiences recognized her for portraying Wanrong in Bernardo Bertolucci’s *The Last Emperor* in 1987, which won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture. Her film credits include *Heaven and Earth*, *Red Rose White Rose*, *Saving Face*, *The Home Song Stories*, *Lust, Caution*, *Tigertail*, and *Didi*. On television, she appeared in *Twin Peaks*, *Marco Polo*, and *A Murder at the End of the World*. She has won four Taipei Golden Horse Awards and an AACTA Award. As a director, her features include *Xiu Xiu The Sent Down Girl*, *Autumn in New York*, *English*, and *Hero*.