# Maggie Cheung

Margaret Cheung Man-yuk (Chinese: 張曼玉; pinyin: Zhāng Mànyù; born 20 September 1964) is a former Hong Kong actress. Raised in Hong Kong and Britain, she started her career after placing second in 1983's Miss Hong Kong Pageant. She achieved critical success in the late 1980s and into the early 2000s, before taking a break from acting following her last starring role in 2004. She rarely makes public appearances except for fashion events and award ceremonies.
Cheung has won numerous accolades at home and abroad for her acting. She won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress 5 times in the span of 11 years from 1990 to 2001, and holds the record for most wins in that category. She also holds the record for most wins for the Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress in Taiwan, having won 4 times. In the West, she was awarded the Silver Bear for Best Actress at Berlin International Film Festival in 1992 and Best Actress at Cannes Film Festival in 2004. In 2004, she became the first Asian actress to be nominated for the French César Award for Best Actress.
Her most acclaimed performances include As Tears Go By, Center Stage, Green Snake, Irma Vep, Comrades: Almost a Love Story, The Soong Sisters, Hero and Clean. The Wong Kar-wai–directed In the Mood for Love (2000), in which she plays a cheongsam-wearing character opposite male lead Tony Leung, is a classic in both the film and fashion worlds.

## Early life and education

Maggie Cheung was born in Hong Kong on 20 September 1964 to Shanghainese parents. She attended St. Paul's Primary Catholic School in Happy Valley, where she began at the primary one level. Her family emigrated from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom when she was eight. She spent part of her childhood and adolescence in Bromley, London, and attended St Edmund's School, Canterbury. She returned to Hong Kong at the age of 18 in 1982 for a vacation but ended up staying for modelling assignments and other commitments. She also briefly had a sales job at the Lane Crawford department store.
In 1983, Cheung entered the Miss Hong Kong pageant and won the first runner-up and the Miss Photogenic award as well. She was a semi-finalist in the Miss World pageant the same year. After two years as a TV presenter, it led to a contract with TVB (the television arm of the Shaw Bros. Studio).
Cheung is a polyglot as a result of her upbringing in Hong Kong and England and ten years' stay in Paris. In Center Stage, Cheung performed in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Shanghainese fluently, switching languages with ease. In Clean, she performed in fluent English, French, and Cantonese.

## Career

Soon after her debut, Cheung broke into the film industry, starring in comedies. She caught the attention of Jackie Chan, who cast her in Police Story (1985) as May, his long-suffering girlfriend. The film was a huge hit and made Cheung a star overnight. Cheung was slated to star in TVB's "The Legend of the General Who Never Was", but due to the death of Barbara Yung who was in the midst of filming Battlefield, and The Feud That Never Was a.k.a. Kings of Ideas (橋王之王), Yung's remaining scenes were assigned to Cheung, and Cheung's role was given to Sheren Tang.
Despite her success, Cheung found herself typecast in the roles of comics or weak, clumsy women. Realizing this, Cheung wanted to break away by seeking more dramatic roles. She got this opportunity when Wong Kar-wai cast her in As Tears Go By (1988), her first of many collaborations with Wong. Cheung often cites the film as the piece that truly began her serious acting career, and she won critical praise for it. In 1989, she won Best Actress awards at the Golden Horse Award and Hong Kong Film Award for her work in Full Moon in New York and A Fishy Story respectively. In 1991, she became the first Chinese performer to win a Best Actress Award at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival for her work in Center Stage.
Cheung subsequently proved her versatility with roles in action films. Her performance in the sci-fi martial arts smash hit The Heroic Trio (1992) and its sequel, Executioners (1993), impressed both critics and audiences with her martial arts skills. Also in a departure from her usual roles, Cheung played a beautiful and vicious femme fatale in New Dragon Gate Inn (1992).
After taking a break in 1994, Cheung returned to film Olivier Assayas' Irma Vep (1996), which helped her break into the international scene. That same year, she won further acclaim for her work in the romantic film Comrades: Almost a Love Story, in which she played one of a pair of lovers kept apart for ten years by fate and circumstance. The following year, she made her first English-language film in Wayne Wang's Chinese Box (1997). Cast as a mysterious young woman named Jean, Cheung held her own alongside the more internationally well-established stars, Jeremy Irons and Gong Li.
After her 1998 marriage to Olivier Assayas, Cheung stayed mainly in France. She returned to Hong Kong to film In the Mood for Love (2000), which won critical acclaim and a second Taiwanese Golden Horse award for Cheung. Thereafter, she starred in Zhang Yimou's Hero (2002) and Wong's 2046 (2004). She won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role as a mother who tries to kick her drug habit and reconcile with her long-lost son in Clean (2004).
Cheung was a jury member at the 1997 Berlin Film Festival, the 1999 Venice Film Festival, the 2004 Hawaii International Film Festival, the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, and the 2010 Marrakech International Film Festival. And for the first time in its history, the 59th Cannes Film Festival (2006) used a photographic image of a real actress on its poster – that of Cheung.
On 7 February 2007, The New York Times rated Cheung as one of the 22 Great Performers in 2006 for her Cannes winning role as Emily in Clean. After 25 years of making movies, she decided to retire from acting to pursue a career as a film composer. She had mentioned she would like to compose music and paint after having fulfilled her acting potential. Her last film appearance was as Mazu, Chinese goddess of the sea, in the film Ten Thousand Waves (2010) by British filmmaker and installation artist Isaac Julien.
As UK's Independent puts it, since her Cannes moment in 2004, Cheung "turned her back on film" and has shifted her focus to philanthropy, making music, and editing. In April 2010, Cheung was appointed as UNICEF's Ambassador to China. In July 2011, she was awarded a doctor honoris causa at the University of Edinburgh. Cheung retired from acting in 2013 and has since kept a low profile.
Cheung has provided celebrity endorsement for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

## Post-retirement

In May 2014, Cheung performed at the 2014 Shanghai Strawberry Music Festival. In June 2019, during a guest appearance on Mango TV reality show Master in the House [zh] in which she mentored boyband Next, Cheung spoke frankly about her 2014 performance's poor reception.
In 2015, Cheung composed and performed the theme song "If You Were Gone" (Chinese: 如果沒了你) for the anthology film Cities in Love. According to producer Gu Xiaodong, Cheung dedicated almost half a year to producing the song. In June 2022, Cheung performed a DJ set at the grand opening of a new Gucci store at The Landmark in Hong Kong.

## Personal life

Cheung married French director Olivier Assayas in 1998; they divorced in 2001. She began a relationship with German architect Ole Scheeren in 2007. The relationship ended in 2011.
In 2020, the Singaporean publication Today wrote that Cheung had no plans to return to acting, instead devoting her time to fashion, music, and producing and editing films.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | English title | Chinese Title | Role | Notes |
| 1984 | Prince Charming | 青蛙王子 | Kitty | |
| 1984 | Behind the Yellow Line | 緣份 | Monica | |
| 1985 | Girl with the Diamond Slipper | 摩登仙履奇緣 | Cheung Man Ju | |
| 1985 | Police Story | 警察故事 | May | |
| 1985 | It's a Drink, It's a Bomb | 聖誕奇遇結良緣 | Cat | |
| 1986 | Lost Romance | 玫瑰的故事 | Rose Wong | |
| 1986 | Happy Ghost 3 | 開心鬼撞鬼 | Tsui Pan-Han | |
| 1986 | The Seventh Curse | 原振俠與衛斯理 | Tsui Hung | |
| 1987 | Seven Years Itch | 七年之癢 | Jogger in park | Cameo |
| 1987 | Sister Cupid | 天賜良緣 | Yuk | |
| 1987 | Heartbeat 100 | 心跳一百 | Maggie Cheung | |
| 1987 | The Romancing Star | 精裝追女仔 | Maggie Tung Man-yuk | |
| 1987 | Project A Part II | A計劃續集 | Maggie / Yesan | |
| 1987 | You Are My Destiny | 用愛捉伊人 | Driver of white sports car | Cameo |
| 1988 | Call Girl '88 | 應召女郎1988 | Jenny Lin | |
| 1988 | Love Soldier of Fortune | 愛的逃兵 | So See Dai | |
| 1988 | Paper Marriage | 過埠新娘 | Jade Lee | |
| 1988 | Double Fattiness | 雙肥臨門 | Diana | |
| 1988 | As Tears Go By | 旺角卡門 | Ngor | Nominated—Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1988 | Mother vs. Mother | 南北媽打 | Betty | |
| 1988 | Moon, Star, Sun | 月亮星星太陽 | May | |
| 1988 | How to Pick Girls Up! | 求愛敢死隊 | Fanny | |
| 1988 | Police Story 2 | 警察故事續集 | May | |
| 1988 | Beloved Son of God | 肥貓流浪記 | Bibi Cheung | |
| 1988 | The Game They Call Sex | 黃色故事 | Chu Hsiao Min | |
| 1988 | Last Romance | 流金歲月 | Jiang Nan Sun | |
| 1989 | Little Cop | 小小小警察 | Restaurant customer | |
| 1989 | A Fishy Story | 不脫襪的人 | Huang | Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1989 | Hearts No Flowers | 少女心 | Ms Tsang | |
| 1989 | The Bachelor's Swan-Song | 再見王老五 | Cheung Yuk | |
| 1989 | Doubles Cause Troubles | 神勇雙妹嘜 | Zhu Ying Tai | |
| 1989 | My Dear Son | 我要富貴 | Chow Fung | |
| 1989 | In Between Loves | 求愛夜驚魂 | Jenny Tung | |
| 1989 | The Iceman Cometh | 急凍奇俠 | Polly | |
| 1990 | Full Moon in New York | 人在紐約 | Lee Fung-Jiau | Golden Horse Award for Best Actress |
| 1990 | Heart into Hearts | 三人新世界 | Joe | |
| 1990 | Song of the Exile | 客途秋恨 | Cheung Hueyin | |
| 1990 | The Dragon from Russia | 紅場飛龍 | May Yip | |
| 1990 | Farewell China | 愛在別鄉的季節 | Li Hong | Nominated—Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1990 | Red Dust | 滾滾紅塵 | Yueh-Feng | Nominated—Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1990 | Days of Being Wild | 阿飛正傳 | Su Lizhen | |
| 1991 | Today's Hero | 志在出位 | Annie | |
| 1991 | The Banquet | 豪門夜宴 | Personal Singing Instructor | |
| 1991 | The Perfect Match | 富貴吉祥 | Carrie Kam | |
| 1991 | Will of Iron | 黑雪 | Maggie | |
| 1991 | Alan & Eric - Between Hello & Goodbye | 雙城故事 | Olive Cheung | |
| 1991 | Center Stage | 阮玲玉 | Ruan Lingyu | Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress Golden Horse Award for Best Actress Silver Bear for Best Actress Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress |
| 1992 | Too Happy for Words | 兩個女人，一個靚，一個唔靚 | — | Short film |
| 1992 | Rose | 白玫瑰 | Rose Chin | |
| 1992 | All's Well, Ends Well | 家有喜事 | Holli-yuk | |
| 1992 | True Love | 真的愛妳 | Angel | |
| 1992 | New Dragon Gate Inn | 新龍門客棧 | Jade | Nominated—Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress Nominated—Golden Horse Award for Best Actress |
| 1992 | What a Hero! | 譁! 英雄 | Lan | |
| 1992 | Twin Dragons | 雙龍會 | Barbara | |
| 1992 | Police Story 3: Supercop | 警察故事3: 超級警察 | May | |
| 1992 | Heart Against Hearts | 三人做世界 | Joe | Cameo |
| 1992 | Moon Warriors | 戰神傳說 | Mo-sin | |
| 1993 | Millionaire Cop | 千面天王 | Jacky Cheuk | |
| 1993 | The Bare-Footed Kid | 赤腳小子 | Pak Siu-kwan | |
| 1993 | The Heroic Trio | 東方三俠 | Chat / Thief Catcher | |
| 1993 | Holy Weapon | 武俠七公主 | Princess Tin Heung | |
| 1993 | Green Snake | 青蛇 | Green Snake | |
| 1993 | Enigma of Love | 飛越謎情 | Tammy Cheung | |
| 1993 | The Eagle Shooting Heroes | 東成西就 | Imperial Master | |
| 1993 | Flying Dagger | 神經刀與飛天貓 | Flying Cat | |
| 1993 | Boys Are Easy | 追男仔 | Ching Siu Nam | |
| 1993 | Executioners | 現代豪俠傳 | Chat / Thief Catcher / Chelsea | |
| 1993 | First Shot | 廉政第一擊 | Annie Ma | |
| 1993 | Mad Monk | 濟公 | Bai Xiao Yu | |
| 1994 | In Between | 新同居時代 | Coco Lau | Segment: "Unwed Mother" |
| 1994 | Ashes of Time | 東邪西毒 | Ouyang Feng's sister-in-law | |
| 1996 | Comrades: Almost a Love Story | 甜蜜蜜 | Li Qiao | Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress Golden Horse Award for Best Actress Golden Bauhinia Award for Best Actress |
| 1996 | Irma Vep | 迷离劫/迷離劫 | Herself | |
| 1997 | The Soong Sisters | 宋家皇朝 | Soong Ching-ling | Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress Nominated—Golden Bauhinia Award for Best Actress |
| 1997 | Chinese Box | 中国匣 | Jean | |
| 1999 | Augustin, King of Kung-Fu | 爱在异乡的故事 | Ling | |
| 2000 | Sausalito | 一見鍾情 | Ellen | |
| 2000 | In the Mood for Love | 花樣年華 | Su Li-zhen | Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress Golden Horse Award for Best Actress Nominated—Golden Bauhinia Award for Best Actress |
| 2002 | Hero | 英雄 | Flying Snow | Nominated—Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress Nominated—Golden Bauhinia Award for Best Actress |
| 2004 | Clean | 錯得多美麗 | Emily Wang | Cannes Film Festival for Best Actress Nominated—César Award for Best Actress |
| 2004 | 2046 | 2046 | Su Li-zhen | |
| 2009 | Inglourious Basterds | 惡棍特工 | Madame Ada Mimieux | Deleted scene |
| 2010 | Hot Summer Days | 全城熱戀 | Crying woman | Cameo |
| 2010 | Ten Thousand Waves | 萬層浪 | Mazu | Short film |

### Television

| Year | English title | Original Title |
| 1984 | Rainbow Round My Shoulder | 畫出彩虹 |
| 1984 | Police Cadet '84 | 新紮師兄 |
| 1985 | The Fallen Family | 武林世家 |
| 1985 | Zhe Dang Pai Dang | 拆擋拍擋 |
| 1985 | The Yang's Saga | 楊家將 |
| 1985 | The Feud That Never Was | 拆档拍档 |

## Awards
### Wins

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work |
| 1989 | Golden Horse Award | Best Actress | Full Moon in New York |
| 1990 | Golden Horse Award | Best Supporting Actress | Red Dust |
| 1990 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | A Fishy Story |
| 1990 | Torino International Festival of Young Cinema | Jury Special Prize | Farewell China |
| 1991 | Golden Horse Award | Best Actress | Center Stage |
| 1992 | Berlin International Film Festival | Best Actress | Center Stage |
| 1992 | Chicago International Film Festival | Best Actress | Center Stage |
| 1993 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | Center Stage |
| 1996 | Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actress | Comrades: Almost a Love Story |
| 1997 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | Comrades: Almost a Love Story |
| 1997 | Asia-Pacific Film Festival | Best Actress | Comrades: Almost a Love Story |
| 1997 | Golden Bauhinia Awards | Best Actress | Comrades: Almost a Love Story |
| 1997 | Golden Horse Award | Best Actress | Comrades: Almost a Love Story |
| 1998 | | Best Actress |
| 1998 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | The Soong Sisters |
| 2000 | Golden Horse Award | Best Actress | In the Mood for Love |
| 2001 | Asian Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | In the Mood for Love |
| 2001 | Chinese Film Media Awards | Best Actress | In the Mood for Love |
| 2001 | Durban International Film Festival | Best Actress | In the Mood for Love |
| 2001 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | In the Mood for Love |
| 2001 | SESC Film Festival | Best Foreign Actress | In the Mood for Love |
| 2003 | Chinese Film Media Awards | Most Popular Actress | Hero |
| 2004 | Cannes Film Festival | Best Actress | Clean |
| 2004 | Hawaii International Film Festival | Award for Achievement in Acting | — |
| 2005 | Montréal World Film Festival | Exceptional Contribution to Cinematographic Art | — |
| 2005 | Asian American International Film Festival | Acting Achievement Award | — |
| 2007 | Shanghai International Film Festival | Outstanding Contribution to Chinese Cinema | — |

### Nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1989 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | As Tears Go By | Nominated |
| 1990 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | Farewell China | Nominated |
| 1990 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Red Dust | Nominated |
| 1992 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | New Dragon Gate Inn | Nominated |
| 2002 | Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | Hero | Nominated |
| 1992 | Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards | Best Leading Actress | New Dragon Gate Inn | Nominated |
| 1998 | Golden Bauhinia Awards | Best Actress | The Soong Sisters | Nominated |
| 2000 | Golden Bauhinia Awards | Best Actress | In the Mood for Love | Nominated |
| 2002 | Golden Bauhinia Awards | Best Actress | Hero | Nominated |
| 2005 | César Awards | Best Actress (Meilleure actrice) | Clean | Nominated |
| 2002 | Chlotrudis Awards | Best Actress | In the Mood for Love | Nominated |
| 2007 | Chlotrudis Awards | Best Actress | Clean | Nominated |