Michelle Yeoh
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
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Cast in her first film, The Owl vs. Bombo in 1984 with Sammo Hung, it didn't take long for Michelle Yeoh to become the top female action star in Hong Kong. After her casting as James Bond's first leading lady to match Bond in the villain-kicking department in 1997, Yeoh became the world's top female action star.
Born and raised in Ipoh, Malaysia on August 6th, 1962, Yeoh grew up learning English as well as her native Malaysian language. Having studied ballet since the age of four, she relocated to London in 1980 where she received a BA from England's Royal Academy of Dance. But a back injury promptly ended her dancing career and Yeoh returned home where she was crowned Miss Malaysia in 1983.
After appearing in a television commercial with Jackie Chan, Yeoh was discovered by D&B Films, a production company in Hong Kong. Renamed Michelle Khan, Yeoh co-starred in The Owl vs, Bombo (1984). It was during this time that she met her one-time husband, Dickson Poon, owner of D&B Films. Yeoh's breakthrough role came with her second film, Yes, Madam (1985) co-starring Cynthia Rothrock. Along with Yukari Oshima's latter Angels (1987), Yeoh's "girls-with-guns" role started a whole trend in female action films with Yeoh leading the pack. Although unfamiliar with martial arts, Yeoh's former ballet training and an ravenous enthusiasm for proving her mettle, earned her the respect of filmmakers and the viewing public while she quickly learned the moves necessary to do just that. After turning out successful roles in Royal Warriors and the adventure flick "Magnificent Warriors," Yeoh finally married Dickson Poon and in keeping with Chinese tradition, retired from acting to play housewife.
