History Creator / JoanChen

* ''Film/{{Ava}}'' (2020) as Toni

Joan Chen (born 1961) is a Chinese-born actress, director, writer, and producer who has gained stardom on both sides of the Pacific.

!Tropes

* ''Series/MacGyver'' (1985 episode "The Golden Triangle") as Lin

* ''Film/TheHunted'' (1995) as Kirina

In 1980, Chen moved to the USA, and studied film. Her first Hollywood role was in ''[[Literature/AsianSaga Tai-Pan]]''. She also acted in ''Film/TheLastEmperor'' and ''Heaven And Earth'', and played DragonLady Jocelyn Packard in the Creator/DavidLynch series ''Series/TwinPeaks''. But she grew tired of playing the "exotic Asian lady," and began directing both Chinese and American films, such as ''Xiu Xiu The Sent Down Girl'' and ''Autumn In UsefulNotes/{{New York|City}}''.

* ''[[Literature/AsianSaga Tai-Pan]]'' (1986) as May-May

* ''WildSide'' (1995) as Virginia Chow - also producer

In 1980, Chen moved to the USA, and studied film. Her first Hollywood role was in ''[[Literature/AsianSaga Tai-Pan]]''. She also acted in ''Film/TheLastEmperor'' and ''Heaven And Earth'', and played DragonLady Jocelyn Packard in the Creator/DavidLynch series ''Series/TwinPeaks''. But she grew tired of playing the "exotic Asian lady," and began directing both Chinese and American films, such as ''Xiu Xiu The Sent Down Girl'' and ''Autumn In UsefulNotes/NewYork''.

She was born in Shanghai as Chen Chong, and grew up during the CulturalRevolution. When she was in high school, Jiang Qing (the wife of MaoZedong) saw her excel in target shooting. This led to the young Chen Chong being inducted into the Young Actors' Training Program of the Shanghai Film Studio. She graduated school at 17, and began acting while studying English in university. In 1979, she starred in ''Little Flower'', and the fame she received from this role led to ''Time'' calling her "the Creator/ElizabethTaylor of China."

* ''SavingFace'' (2004) as Hwei-Lan Gao

Chen lives in both Shanghai and San Francisco with her husband Peter Hui and their two daughters, and is now an American citizen. She is not related to ChangChen.

* ''Series/TheOuterLimits'' (1998 episode "Phobos Rising") as Major Dara Talif

* FakeNationality: As an Eskimo in ''OnDeadlyGround'', a Vietnamese woman in ''What's Cooking?'', and a Japanese woman in ''{{Fringe}}''.
* MoneyDearBoy: Her roles in ''OnDeadlyGround'' and ''JudgeDredd''.
* StarMakingRole: In ''Little Flower'' (for Chinese audiences) or ''TheLastEmperor'' (for Westerners).

In 1980, Chen moved to the USA, and studied film. Her first Hollywood role was in ''[[Literature/AsianSaga Tai-Pan]]''. She also acted in ''TheLastEmperor'' and ''Heaven And Earth'', and played DragonLady Jocelyn Packard in the DavidLynch series ''TwinPeaks''. But she grew tired of playing the "exotic Asian lady," and began directing both Chinese and American films, such as ''Xiu Xiu The Sent Down Girl'' and ''Autumn In UsefulNotes/NewYork''.

Chen returned to acting in the 2000s, starring in ''Jasmine Women'' alongside ZhangZiyi. Other roles since her return to acting have been in ''SavingFace'', ''Tonight At Noon'', ''The Home Song Stories'', ''LustCaution'', ''JourneyToTheWest'', and ''{{Fringe}}''. She also curated the first Singapore Sun Film Festival.

* ''TheLastEmperor'' (1987) as Wan Jung

* ''TalesFromTheCrypt'' (1993 episode "Food for Thought") as Connie

* ''OnDeadlyGround'' (1994) as Masu
* ''TheHunted'' (1995) as Kirina
* ''JudgeDredd'' (1995) as Dr. Ilsa Hayden

* ''HomicideLifeOnTheStreet'' (1997 episode "Wu's On First?") as Elizabeth Wu
* ''TheOuterLimits'' (1998 episode "Phobos Rising") as Major Dara Talif

* ''LustCaution'' (2007) as Mrs. Yee

* ''{{Fringe}}'' (2011 episode "Immortality") as Reiko

* ''MacGyver'' (1985 episode "The Golden Triangle") as Lin
* ''MiamiVice'' (1985 episode "Golden Triangle") as May Ying

* ''TwinPeaks'' (1990-1992) as Jocelyn Packard
* ''NightmareCafe'' (1992) as the first customer

She was born in Shanghai as Chen Chong, and grew up during the CulturalRevolution. When she was in high school, Jiang Qing (the wife of MaoZedong) saw her excel in target shooting. This led to the young Chen Chong being inducted into the Young Actors' Training Program of the Shanghai Film Studio. She graduated school at 17, and began acting while studying English in university. In 1979, she starred in ''Little Flower'', and the fame she received from this role led to ''Time'' calling her "the ElizabethTaylor of China."

* ''Serangoon Road'' (2013) as Patricia Cheng

* ''Heaven And Earth'' (1993) as Mama

* ''[[AsianSaga Tai-Pan]]'' (1986) as May-May

In 1980, Chen moved to the USA, and studied film. Her first Hollywood role was in ''[[AsianSaga Tai-Pan]]''. She also acted in ''TheLastEmperor'' and ''Heaven And Earth'', and played DragonLady Jocelyn Packard in the DavidLynch series ''TwinPeaks''. But she grew tired of playing the "exotic Asian lady," and began directing both Chinese and American films, such as ''Xiu Xiu The Sent Down Girl'' and ''Autumn In UsefulNotes/NewYork''.

In 1980, Chen moved to the USA, and studied film. Her first Hollywood role was in ''[[AsianSaga Tai-Pan]]''. She also acted in ''TheLastEmperor'' and ''Heaven And Earth'', and played DragonLady Jocelyn Packard in the DavidLynch series ''TwinPeaks''. But she grew tired of playing the "exotic Asian lady," and began directing both Chinese and American films, such as ''Xiu Xiu The Sent Down Girl'' and ''Autumn In NewYork''.

* BrainyBrunette
* ChristmasCake: One of the best examples, alongside HelenaBonhamCarter and AlexKingston.
* CoolOldLady

She was born Chen Chong, and grew up during the CulturalRevolution. When she was in high school, Jiang Qing (the wife of MaoZedong) saw her excel in target shooting. This led to the young Chen Chong being inducted into the Young Actors' Training Program of the Shanghai Film Studio. She graduated school at 17, and began acting while studying English in university. In 1979, she starred in ''Little Flower'', and the fame she received from this role led to ''Time'' calling her "the ElizabethTaylor of China."

Chen lives in both Shanghai and San Francisco with her husband and their two daughters, and is now an American citizen.

* ''JudgeDredd'' (1995) as Ilsa Hayden