Cheng Pei-pei, best known for her iconic role in Ang Lee’s Oscar-nominated film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, died Wednesday at the age of 78 in San Francisco.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that the rumors are true. Our mother, Cheng Pei-pei, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on July 17,” Cheng’s family wrote on Your Facebook.
The Chinese actress, nicknamed the “Queen of Blades” and considered one of the first female action stars, was “diagnosed with atypical neurodegenerative parkinsonism syndrome, unofficially corticobasal degeneration” in 2019, according to Cheng’s family.
“It is a rare disease with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s, however, current treatments cannot stop the progression,” they continued. “She decided not to make this news public so she could deal with her condition privately and spend her remaining time with her children and grandchildren.”
Her family remembered Pei-pei as the “legendary Queen of Martial Arts” as well as a “versatile, award-winning actress” with a career spanning more than six decades internationally.
Cheng Pei-pei, best known for her iconic role in Ang Lee’s Oscar-nominated film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, died Wednesday at the age of 78 in San Francisco; seen in 2019
“It is with great sadness that we announce that the rumours are true. Our mother, Cheng Pei-pei, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on July 17,” Cheng’s family wrote on their Facebook. She was seen in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with Zhang Ziyi (l.)
“Our mother remained humble and approachable, patient and kind, and always generous with her time, willing to help others whenever she could. We will miss her greatly,” they concluded.
Pei-pei, born in Shanghai on January 6, 1946, moved to Hong Kong in 1962, where she began her illustrious career with the iconic Shaw Brothers studio, known for popularizing kung-fu films.
He made his film debut in the drama Lovers’ Rock and quickly rose to fame as a major star in martial arts, action and fencing films.
Her breakthrough role came in 1966 with King Hu’s Come Drink With Me, which catapulted her to fame at the age of 19.
The film that paved the way for a sequel (Golden Swallow in 1968) and inspired numerous action films starring East Asian women.
Although Come Drink With Me was selected as the Hong Kong film for the Oscars, it was not nominated.
Cheng also starred in several other Shaw Brothers films, including The Jade Raksha (1968), Dragon Swamp (1969), The Lady Hermit (1971), and The Shadow Whip (1971).
In the 1970s, Cheng moved to California, where she combined raising her four children with attending business school at the University of California, Irvine.
The Chinese actress, nicknamed the ‘Queen of Blades’ and considered one of the first female action stars, was ‘diagnosed with atypical neurodegenerative parkinsonism syndrome, unofficially corticobasal degeneration’ in 2019, according to Cheng’s family; seen in 2018
Pei-pei, born in Shanghai on January 6, 1946, moved to Hong Kong in 1962, where she began her illustrious career with the iconic Shaw Brothers studio, known for popularizing kung-fu films; seen in Mulan
Most recently, Cheng starred in the 2014 film Lilting (pictured) and played The Matchmaker in Disney’s 2020 live-action remake of Mulan.
Her career experienced a major resurgence with her role as the villain Jade Fox in the 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which would win four Academy Awards.
Most recently, Cheng starred in the 2014 film Lilting and played The Matchmaker in Disney’s 2020 live-action remake of Mulan.
She is survived by her four children, Eugenia, Jennifer, Harry and Marsha, as well as her grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Cheng requested that donations be made to the Brain Support Network (BSN), to which he donated his brain.
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