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Screen & Stage • Actress

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress known for work in Hong Kong action cinema, Hollywood films, and television.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress who rose to fame through Hong Kong action cinema and later achieved global recognition. She made history in 2023 by winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for *Everything Everywhere All at Once*, becoming the first Asian woman to win in that category.

What it is

Michelle Yeoh (born Yeoh Choo Kheng on 6 August 1962 in Ipoh, Malaysia) is a Malaysian actress known for performing many of her own stunts. She first gained attention in Hong Kong action films like *Yes, Madam!* and *Supercop* before crossing over to international hits such as *Tomorrow Never Dies*, *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, and *Crazy Rich Asians*.

Why it matters

Yeoh's Oscar win for *Everything Everywhere All at Once* marked a milestone for Asian representation in global cinema. Her career, spanning decades and genres, has made her one of the most recognized female action stars. Canadian audiences know her through major international releases and awards coverage, and her success contributes to broader discussions about diversity in film.

Key details

Yeoh also goes by the name Michelle Khan. She has won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. Her filmography includes *Yes, Madam!*, *Supercop*, *Tomorrow Never Dies*, *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, *Crazy Rich Asians*, and *Everything Everywhere All at Once*. She is widely regarded as a leading action star of her era.

In short

  • Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress born in Ipoh on 6 August 1962.
  • She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2023 for *Everything Everywhere All at Once*.
  • She is known for Hong Kong action films and international hits like *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*.
  • Her Oscar win was a first for an Asian woman in that category.
Canadian angle

Michelle Yeoh is widely known to Canadian audiences through major international films and awards coverage, especially Everything Everywhere All at Once and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. She is also relevant to Canadian readers as part of broader discussions about Asian representation in global film.

Quick questions

Who is Michelle Yeoh?
Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress known for action films, major Hollywood roles, and her Oscar-winning performance in *Everything Everywhere All at Once*.
What is Michelle Yeoh’s birth name?
Her birth name is Yeoh Choo Kheng.
Has Michelle Yeoh won an Oscar?
Yes. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for *Everything Everywhere All at Once* in 2023.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Yeoh
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, career overview, awards
  2. Biography.comhttps://www.biography.com/actor/michelle-yeoh
    Supports: Hong Kong action-star status, international recognition, Oscar win
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Michelle-Yeoh
    Supports: Birth details, action-star reputation, Oscar win, alternate names
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/facts/Michelle-Yeoh
    Supports: Born in Ipoh, Malaysia; awards; marriage fact
  5. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000706/bio/
    Supports: Birthplace, birth name, family details
  6. Fandangohttps://www.fandango.com/people/michelle-yeoh-742386/biography
    Supports: Career progression and notable film roles