Cheng Pei-Pei in a scene from ‘Come Drink with Me’
Cheng Pei-pei, the pioneering Chinese actress known as the “Queen of Swords” and one of the first female action stars, died peacefully at her home on July 17 at the age of 78. Cheng’s family confirmed the news in a statement on Facebook, revealing that she had been battling a rare neurodegenerative disorder, corticobasal degeneration (CBD), since 2019.
In their statement, the family said, “It is with a heavy heart 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.” They added, “Our mother wanted to be remembered as what she was: the great queen of martial arts.”
Cheng’s career spanned six decades, during which she left an indelible mark on the film industry. She first came to fame in the 1960s with Shaw Brothers Studios, a Hong Kong production company famous for its action films and wuxia (martial arts) epics. Cheng starred in 20 films for Shaw Brothers, including the iconic come have a drink with me, Princess Iron FanAnd Golden SwallowHer performance as the Golden Swallow come have a drink with me It established him as a powerful action star and solidified his place in Chinese cinema.
Born in Shanghai in 1946, Cheng moved to Hong Kong in 1962, where she began her journey with the Shaw Brothers Studio. Initially trained in dance, Cheng was initially eyed for roles in Chinese opera films. However, with the studio’s shift towards action films, she trained in martial arts, including mastering swords, knives, and horseback riding – skills that became her trademark in wuxia cinema.
His breakthrough came with the 1966 film ‘Dabangg’. come have a drink with meDirected by King Hu. The film is famous for its entertaining fight choreography, in which Cheng excelled due to his dance background. In 1968, he reprised his role in Golden SwallowIts production was however plagued by creative differences with director Chang Cheh, who held conservative views about women in action roles.
After a prosperous period in Hong Kong cinema, Cheng’s career slowed down in the 1980s as she moved to the United States. She made a significant comeback in 2000 with Ang Lee’s film crouching Tiger Hidden DragonHer role as the villain Jade Foxx in the film brought her international fame. The film won four Academy Awards and was a huge success.
Cheng continued acting in the 2000s and 2010s, with notable roles in Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009), Lilting (2014), Meditation Park (2017), and Disney’s live-action Mulan (2020).
