Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen, also known as Yen Ji-dan, is a Hong Kong actor, Chinese martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and multiple-time world wushu tournament champion...
NationalityChinese
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth27 July 1963
CityYuexiu District, China
CountryChina
street walking
A gesture, a smile, or just walking down the street is an expression.
food lots wonder
I always used to wonder why American actors were getting fat, then I made a U.S. movie. I'm seeing all the food every day, and there's lots of waiting around because making an American movie is very slow.
aspect attractive audience average certain criminal fantasize fantasy films following huge money movies people possess power surreal watch
Police/gangster films always have a huge following and huge audience because of the power, glamour, and certain fantasy aspect they have to them. When people watch movies, they like to fantasize being in a surreal world, and sometimes a criminal world can be attractive because you possess so much power and money, not like the average 9 to 5 guy.
negative
Better to be called something positive and inspirational than something negative.
uprising rebel
I've always been in a rebel.
motivational art self
Martial art is a form of expression, an expression from your inner self to your hands and legs.
growing-up school glasses
There are two types of Chinese growing up in America. One is the kind that does really well in school, with thick, thick glasses. And the other is involved with the gangs.
heart feelings watches
When you watch my films, you're feeling my heart.
baseball football teenager
My mum lives in Boston; she's famous for teaching wushu and t'ai chi. So from when I was young, my mum and aunt were like: 'You're training; you're not playing baseball or football.' Training every day was normal. Later, when I was almost a teenager, Bruce Lee became my idol.
japan festivals aikido
I got nominated for my second film as best young director in the Aikido Film Festival in Japan.
actors elements dynamics
From my experience as an actor, choreographer, action director, and producer, I understand the elements and the dynamics of being a film maker.
motivational time men
Bruce is the man. He was definitely ahead of his time.
looks actors action
When audiences look at an action actor like myself, sometimes we are very easily stereotyped or characterized as one type. They forget that we are actors, too.
moving character talking
Action choreographer is like talking. When you talk, you have a rhythm. When you act, you have a rhythm. When you're moving your body, you have a rhythm. So as an actor, as a choreographer, the objective is trying to blend everything in - into - ultimately back into that character.