Martial Arts Legend Cheng Pei-pei Passes Away at 78
Chinese-born actress Cheng Pei-pei, renowned for her role in the Oscar-winning film *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, has passed away in San Francisco at the age of 78. Her family confirmed that she had been battling a neurodegenerative brain disease, similar to Parkinson's, since 2019.
Cheng Pei-pei was a pioneer in martial arts films, paving the way for female actors in the action genre. Her breakthrough role came in 1966 with *Come Drink with Me*, directed by King Hu. This critically acclaimed film, which celebrated the "wuxia" genre of ancient Chinese martial arts, catapulted Cheng to international fame.
In *Come Drink with Me*, she played the fierce Golden Swallow, a kung-fu master who embarks on a mission to rescue her kidnapped brother. This role, along with its 1968 sequel, *Golden Swallow*, established Cheng as a fearless swordswoman in a multitude of martial arts films.
Her portrayal of the lone female assassin, seeking revenge, significantly influenced later action films, including Quentin Tarantino's *Kill Bill
franchise.
After moving to California in the early 1970s, Cheng continued her acting career, becoming an iconic action heroine during the golden age of Hong Kong martial arts cinema.
In 2000, she achieved another milestone with her role as Jade Fox, the villain, in Ang Lee's *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*. This groundbreaking film, which featured a female lead, became a global sensation, winning ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It also garnered Best Foreign Language Film awards at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs, and was the first foreign-language film to gross over $100 million worldwide.
Cheng's final role was as the matchmaker in Disney's live-action adaptation of *Mulan
in 2020.
Her *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
co-star Michelle Yeoh paid tribute to Cheng on Instagram, expressing her sadness and remembering her "kindness and shining talent."
After her illness was diagnosed, Cheng chose to keep her condition private and spent time with her four children and grandchildren. Her family has requested that, instead of flowers, donations be made to the Brain Support Network, where she donated her brain.
Cheng Pei-pei's legacy will live on through her groundbreaking contributions to the world of martial arts cinema. Her powerful performances inspired generations of actors and actresses, leaving an enduring mark on the genre.
