Trivia

Was one of the few first Chinese American actresses that opened the door to Hollywood.

Speaks Mandarin and Cantonese.

Studied at St. John's University, Shanghai, National Chiao Tung University, and the University of Hawaii.

Worked several odd jobs before becoming an actress, including accountant, lab technician, and interpreter.

She played the Empress Dowager Cixi in three dissimilar films: Qing guo qing cheng (1975), Ying tai qi xue (1976) and El último emperador (1987).

She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1708 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on May 5, 2025. Actress Awkwafina and Janet Yang, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) were guest speakers at the ceremony. Her Walk of Fame star is located near the historic corner of Hollywood and Vine.