PEOPLE Staff

getty images video By [{ "selector": ".jousr-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".arilj-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".gfmmi-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".aycyw-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Yes, Madam!

For one of her first roles in 1985, Yeoh starred as a relentless inspector alongside Cynthia Rothrock. EVERETT [{ "selector": ".rzinz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".ihwbe-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "300ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Tai Chi Master

Yeoh’s stunt training came in handy for this 1993 martial arts classic, featuring Jet Li. EVERETT [{ "selector": ".tgfzm-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".mbwhx-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "300ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

The Soong Sisters

Starring as one of three wealthy sisters in this 1997 movie, Yeoh took on the dramatic role of Soong Ai-ling. EVERETT [{ "selector": ".ghbfg-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".tjxod-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "300ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Tomorrow Never Dies

"I was quite surprised when they did cast me," Yeoh told EW of her starring role in the 1997 James Bond film, with Pierce Brosnan as 007. MGM [{ "selector": ".besei-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".zwqpa-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "300ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

For director Ang Lee's iconic Oscar-winning movie, the actress had to learn Mandarin and perform wire stunts. EVERETT [{ "selector": ".fdzya-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".eadgb-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "300ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Memoirs of a Geisha

The 2005 book-turned-film is her 83-year-old mother's favorite role of hers because "I look so glamorous and beautiful," Yeoh told PEOPLE. EVERETT [{ "selector": ".zmmnh-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".xdoxx-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "300ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Crazy Rich Asians

Yeoh starred as a fiercely protective matriarch in this lavish blockbuster hit. EVERETT [{ "selector": ".phfio-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".yojzu-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "300ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Yeoh brought her acting and martial arts talents to the world of Marvel in the 2021 superhero movie (and the first Asian-led movie in the MCU!). MARVEL [{ "selector": ".uoxfn-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".zocuv-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "300ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Everything Everywhere
All at Once

This genre-bending movie stars Yeoh as a woman who learns that the fate of the world relies on her ability to harness other dimensions. A24 [{ "selector": ".behzb-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".jngna-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "300ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

PEOPLE Staff

Michelle Yeoh’s Life in Movies

The 59-year-old actress’s film career is unmatched.

MOVIES

Yes, Madam!

Tai Chi Master

The Soong Sisters

Tomorrow Never Dies

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Memoirs of a Geisha

Crazy Rich Asians

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Everything Everywhere
All at Once

read here

Michelle Yeoh talks about her inspiring career

PEOPLE Staff

Michelle Yeoh’s Life in Movies

The 59-year-old actress’s film career is unmatched.

MOVIES

Yes, Madam!

Tai Chi Master

The Soong Sisters

Tomorrow Never Dies

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Memoirs of a Geisha

Crazy Rich Asians

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Everything EverywhereAll at Once

read here

Michelle Yeoh talks about her inspiring career

Everything Everywhere
All at Once