HONG KONG– Cheng Pei-pei, a Chinese-born martial arts film actor who starred in Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” died, his family announced on Friday. She was 78 years old.
Cheng, who was diagnosed with a rare disease with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, died Wednesday at home surrounded by her loved ones, her family wrote on Facebook. They said current medical treatment could not slow the progression of the disease, called atypical neurodegenerative parkinsonism syndrome, and that she donated her brain for medical research.
“Our mother wanted to be remembered for what she was: the legendary Queen of Martial Arts… a versatile, award-winning actress whose film and television career spanned more than six decades, not just in Asia but also internationally,” they said . .
Cheng loved being an actress and knew how lucky she was to have the career she did, they said.
Entertainment publication Variety reported that she died in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Shanghai-born film star became a household name in Hong Kong, once nicknamed the Hollywood of the Far East, for his performances in martial arts films in the 1960s. One of his most famous films was “Come Drink with Me ”, directed by King Hu and released in 1966.
She played Jade Fox, who uses poisoned needles, in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, which also starred famous Hong Kong actor and Oscar winner Chow Yun-fat. Michelle Yeoh. The film, released in 2000, grossed $128.1 million in North America and won four Oscars.
Most recently, Cheng acted in Disney’s “Mulan”, released in 2020.
She is survived by her three daughters and one son.
Supreme Art Entertainment, the company she worked for, expressed deep sorrow over her death.
“In addition to her tireless efforts in her career, Sister Pei-pei was also an approachable, kind, helpful and patient mother. Sister Pei-pei, we will always miss you! she said on Facebook.
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