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Award-winning Taiwanese actress and filmmaker
She is best known for her Golden Horse Award-winning performance in Hou Hsiao-hsien's Three Times and her role as the title character in the critically acclaimed wuxia film The Assassin.
Shu Qi, born Lin Li-hui on April 16, 1976, is a Taiwanese actress widely regarded as one of the most successful Chinese actresses of all time. She has won three Hong Kong Film Awards and two Golden Horse Awards across a 30-year career spanning arthouse cinema and commercial blockbusters. Her collaborations with acclaimed director Hou Hsiao-hsien in Millennium Mambo, Three Times, and The Assassin cemented her status as a leading figure in Asian cinema.
Born Lin Li-hui in Xindian District, Taipei County (now New Taipei City), she adopted the stage name Shu Qi when she moved to Hong Kong at age 17 to pursue a film career. She began in softcore modeling, appearing in the Chinese edition of Playboy before signing with producer Manfred Wong for Category III films including Sex & Zen II in 1996. Her breakthrough came with Derek Yee's Viva Erotica in 1996, earning her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 16th Hong Kong Film Awards in 1997 and launching her transition into mainstream acting.
Shu Qi keeps her personal life private, with no publicly confirmed marriage or spouse despite ongoing public curiosity about her marital status. Born under the zodiac sign Aries, she has been romantically linked to various figures in the entertainment industry over the years but has not disclosed a husband. She divides her time between Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China for her film work and brand ambassador roles with luxury houses including Bulgari, Michael Kors, and Tom Ford Beauty.
She does not have formal martial arts training despite starring in action films like The Transporter and The Assassin, relying on choreography and stunt coordination for fight sequences.
She did not appear in Transporter 2 because the role was recast with a different character and actress for the sequel, a common practice in action franchises.
She ranked 18th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2013, demonstrating her commercial appeal beyond critical acclaim.
She served as a jury member at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival in 2008, the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in 2009, and the 80th Venice International Film Festival in 2023.
She made her directorial debut with the film Girl in 2025, which was shortlisted for the Golden Lion at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
She became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2024.
I don't want to be limited by any role or genre. I want to try everything.
Acting is about finding the truth in the character, no matter how different they are from yourself.
Made film debut in Derek Yee's Viva Erotica, beginning transition from Category III films to mainstream cinema
Won Best Supporting Actress at the 16th Hong Kong Film Awards for Viva Erotica
Starred in Hou Hsiao-hsien's Millennium Mambo, beginning acclaimed collaboration with the director
Appeared in The Transporter, marking first foray into American action cinema
Won Best Actress at the 13th Shanghai Film Critics Awards for The Foliage
Won Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress for Three Times, which competed at Cannes Film Festival
Served as jury member at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival
Won Huabiao Award as Best Actress for Taiwan and Hong Kong region for If You Are the One, the highest-grossing Chinese film of the year
Served as jury member at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival
Starred in Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, which became the highest-grossing Chinese film at the time
Played title character in The Assassin, winning Asian Film Award for Best Actress
Served as jury member at the 80th Venice International Film Festival and became Global Brand Ambassador for Bulgari
Invited to become member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Made directorial debut with Girl, shortlisted for Golden Lion at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, and starred in Bi Gan's Resurrection at Cannes