Donnie Yen Chi-tan is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Golden Horse Awards and five Hong Kong Film Awards. He is best known for portraying Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the Ip Man film series, namely Ip Man (2008), Ip Man 2 (2010), Ip Man 3 (2015), and Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019). He also served as co-producer for the spin-off Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018).
Born in Guangdong, Yen developed an interest in martial arts at a young age, and began experimenting with various styles, including tai chi and other traditional Chinese martial arts. At age 18, he auditioned for action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping in Hong Kong. He landed his first starring role in the 1984 Hong Kong martial arts action film Drunken Tai Chi. He made his breakthrough role as the antagonist General Nap-lan in Once Upon a Time in China II (1992), opposite Jet Li's character. He appeared in several other Hong Kong kung fu films, including Iron Monkey (1993) and Wing Chun (1994). In 1997, he starred in his directorial debut film Legend of the Wolf.
Yen made his American debut in Highlander: Endgame (2000), followed by a cameo in Blade II (2002). He went on to appear in the American films Shanghai Knights (2003), Rogue One (2016), XXX: Return of Xander Cage (2017), Mulan (2020), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). He has continued to be active in Hong Kong cinema, appearing in the well-received films Hero (2002), SPL: Sha Po Lang (2005), 14 Blades (2010), Wu Xia (2011), Kung Fu Jungle (2014), Chasing the Dragon (2017), Enter the Fat Dragon (2020), Raging Fire (2021), and The Prosecutor (2024), among others. In television, Yen portrayed fictional character Chen Zhen in the television series Fist of Fury (1995); he reprised the role in the 2010 film Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen.
For portraying Ip Man in the Ip Man film series (2008-2019), Yen is credited by many for contributing to the popularisation of Wing Chun in China. Alongside Kung fu, particularly Wing Chun, Yen is also known for incorporating mixed martial arts (MMA) elements into his action choreography. Aside from his acting, in 1997, he established his own production company, Bullet Films, which choreographed the action for Western blockbusters like Blade II (2002) and Stormbreaker (2006).
Known For
The Prosecutor
Fok Chi-ho
2024
John Wick: Chapter 4
Caine
2023
Sakra
Qiao Feng / Xiao Feng
2023
Come Back Home
A De
2022
New Kung Fu Cult Master 2
Zhang Sanfeng
2022
New Kung Fu Cult Master
Zhang Sanfeng
2022
Golden Chickensss
Yip Man
2014
The Monkey King
Sun Wukong / Monkey King
2014
Special ID
Dragon Chan
2013
Together
Chan Kwok-Wah
2013
All's Well, Ends Well
Carl Tam
2012
Dragon
Liu Jinxi / Tang Long
2011
The Lost Bladesman
General Guan Yunchang
2011
All's Well, Ends Well 2011
Cheng Yu-keung / Arnold Cheng
2011
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
Chen Zhen
2010
Ip Man 2
Ip Man
2010
14 Blades
Qinglong
2010
Bodyguards and Assassins
Sum Chung-Yang
2009
Ip Man
Yip Man
2008
Painted Skin
Pang Yong
2008
An Empress and the Warriors
General Muyong Xuehu
2008
Flash Point
Det. Sgt. Ma Jun
2007
Dragon Tiger Gate
Tiger Wong
2006
SPL: Kill Zone
Inspector Ma Kwun
2005
Seven Swords
Chu Zhaonan
2005
The Twins Effect II
General Lone
2004
Shanghai Knights
Wu Chow
2003
Hero
Sky
2002
Blade II
Snowman
2002
Highlander: Endgame
Jin Ke
2000
City of Darkness
Ozone
1999
Shanghai Affairs
Tong Shan
1998
Ballistic Kiss
Cat Lee
1998
Legend of the Wolf
Fung Man-hin
1997
Black Rose II
Boxing School Owner
1997
Satan Returns
Nam
1996
Iron Monkey 2
Iron Monkey
1996
High Voltage
Chiang Ho-Wa
1995
Circus Kids
Danton Lee
1994
Wing Chun
Leung Pok To
1994
Heroes Among Heroes
So Chan
1993
Butterfly and Sword
Yip Cheung
1993
Dragon Inn
Eunuch Tso Siu Yan
1992
Once Upon a Time in China II
Commander Lan
1992
Crystal Hunt
Leung / Brett Chan
1992
Cheetah on Fire
Ronnie
1992
The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead
Shiang Chin-Fei
1991
Tiger Cage II
Dragon Yau
1990
In the Line of Duty 4
Captain Donnie Yan
1989
Drunken Tai Chi
Chan Chuen Chung
1984
Ip Man 5
Ip Man
Flash Point: Resurgence
Det. Sgt. Ma Jun
Wick Is Pain
(archive footage)
2025
Armor Hero Star Ray
General Qiu Bai · (8 episodes)
2024
Crush Over
(13 episodes)
2023
Kung Fu Stuntmen
2021
Raging Fire
Cheung Sung-bong
2021
2021 China Central Radio and TV Station Spring Festival Gala
2021
Bravo Youngsters!
(10 episodes)
2020
Mulan
Commander Tung
2020
2次重塑
(1 episode)
2020
Enter the Fat Dragon
Fallon Zhu
2020
Ip Man 4: The Finale
Ip Man
2019
The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up
(1 episode)
2018
Iceman: The Time Traveler
Ying
2018
Big Brother
Henry Chen Xia / Chan Hak
2018
Guardians of Martial Arts
Master Yen
2017
Chasing the Dragon
Crippled Ho
2017
The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
Self
2017
xXx: Return of Xander Cage
Xiang
2017
Roast
(1 episode)
2017
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Chirrut Imwe
2016
鲁豫有约一日行
(1 episode)
2016
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
Silent Wolf
2016
Ip Man 3
Ip Man
2015
An Inspector Calls
Band Members
2015
Kung Fu Jungle
Hahou Mo
2014
Chef Nic
(1 episode)
2014
Iceman
Ying
2014
Running Man
(1 episode)
2010
The Founding of a Republic
Tian Han
2009
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
Self
2009
Club Sparkle
(1 episode)
2009
'Hero' Defined: A Look at the Epic Masterpiece
Self
2004
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self · (1 episode)
2003
The Blood Pact: The Making of 'Blade II'
Self
2002
Fist of Fury - Sworn Revenge
Chen Zhen
2001
Fist of Fury
陈真 · (30 episodes)
1995
Revenge of the Kung Fu Master
Hung-Hei Kwun
1994
Cinema of Vengeance
Self (uncredited)
1994
Iron Monkey
Wong Kei-ying
1993
Kung Fu
The Kung Fu Master
Hung Hei-gun · (30 episodes)
1994
A New Life
(15 episodes)
1991
Donnie Yen UK Tour 1991
1991
From the World of John Wick: Caine
Caine
All's Well, Ends Well 2009
Wedding Guest
2009
Love on the Rocks
Victor Tsui
2004
The Kung Fu Master
Hung Hei-Kwun
2002
Fist of Fury
Chen-Jun
2002
Hong Kong Superstars
Self
2001
The Saint of Gamblers
Lung Chat
1995
Let the Music Fly
The Crime File
(13 episodes)
1991
Flying Squads
Cheung Ho-nam · (20 episodes)
1989
File Noir
(20 episodes)
1989
Tiger Cage
Terry
1988
The Last Conflict
Dickson Kwan
1988
Mismatched Couples
Eddie
1985
The Oscars
Self · (1 episode)
1953