EntertainmentMovies Michelle Yeoh's Career in Photos As she turns 60, see how the actress has flourished through the yearsByKate HoganKate HoganInstagramTwitterKate Hogan is Director of Digital Specials and Features at PEOPLE. In her 14 years at the brand, she has covered everything from pets and babies to style and Sexiest Man Alive, interviewing celebrities including Céline Dion, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Chris Evans. Currently, she oversees the creation of photo galleries that complement breaking news and major PEOPLE moments like The Beautiful Issue and 100 Reasons to Love America. She has offered expert celebrity commentary on Good Morning America and Access Hollywood. Before joining PEOPLE in 2008, Kate was an editorial assistant at Morris Visitor Publications. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication and resides outside of Chicago with her husband and three kids.People Editorial GuidelinesandKara WarnerUpdated on August 6, 2022 12:16 PM Share Tweet Pin Email 01of 12 Yes, Madam!, 1985 Everett The buddy cop film — starring two females, Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock (left), somewhat of a first — was just Yeoh's second feature. "The first hurdle I had to go through was the guys accepting me to the boys' club," she told The Hollywood Reporter. She joined the stuntmen at the gym, asking them to teach her their ways. "I think it was quite refreshing for them," she added. "Humility goes a long way." 02of 12 Tai Chi Master, 1993 Everett The 1993 action film paired Yeoh with another big name — Jet Li — and put the stunt training she began on Yes, Madam! to good use. 03of 12 The Soong Sisters, 1997 Everett Yeoh starred in the true story of three influential Chinese sisters. "Every time I make a movie, I hope the audience discovers something new about me," the star told PEOPLE of the parts she takes. 04of 12 Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997 MGM "I was quite surprised when they did cast me," she told EW. "When I did get the role I remember going to do the audition with Pierce and it's like oh my god — phew! — and he is the nicest, kindest, most thoughtful gentleman. We had such a great time filming. The most fun is when I was going through immigration and you have to explain why you are coming to London and what movie you are doing. and I said, 'Oh I'm going to be in a Bond movie,' and you could see [the officials'] face change. It was so great." 05of 12 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2000 Everett For director Ang Lee's epic, the actress had to learn Mandarin and perform wire stunts. "That was probably the most memorable, the most happy, the most painful, the most emotional," she told EW of the Oscar-winning film. "I have the greatest love and respect for [Ang Lee]. I literally waited for him for two years, I didn't do another film. It was worth the wait." 06of 12 The Touch, 2002 EverettThe Touch put Yeoh's martial arts skills to the test, and brought her to some very unique locations, including the mountains of Nepal. 07of 12 Memoirs of a Geisha, 2005 Everett This big-screen adaptation is her 83-year-old mother's favorite because "I look so glamorous and beautiful," Yeoh told PEOPLE. 08of 12 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, 2008 Everett Yeoh, here on the set of the hit 2008 action film, relishes the opportunity to do her own stunts whenever possible. "In this [job], you get to do things you will never do in real life," she said. "It gives you a great sense of achievement." 09of 12 Star Trek: Discovery, 2017-2020 Everett "I was very proud to play a captain," Yeoh told EW. "And when I came back on in a later part in the series as Emperor Philippa Georgio, it was delicious, I just reveled in it. I had such an amazing time." 10of 12 Crazy Rich Asians, 2018 Everett "I remember turning the script down," Yeoh told EW of her reaction to the character after having also read the book. "The mother was just too superficially mean, there was no depth, there was no love, no connection at all," she continued. "But I met [director] Jon Chu, we had a Zoom call, so I asked him a very simple question: 'What kind of movie are you making? Is it going to be a Hangover type of film?' He said, 'No, if I did that, my mother would kill me!' So I said, 'Okay, maybe we can have a conversation here.' " 11of 12 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, 2021 Marvel "What an incredible trip," Yeoh told EWof the Marvel hit. "I could play the sane-sounding, wise, embracing [character]. And I love those kinds of roles, and I love to be able to help these youngsters understand that sometimes it's okay, it's all right. And family will always be here for you." 12of 12 Everything Everywhere All at Once, 2022 Jamie Lee Curtis and Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).Allyson Riggs Yeoh calls Everything Everywhere All at Once actress and new friend Jamie Lee Curtis (left) "the most generous, amazing woman." The genre-defying fantasy about a laundromat owner who hops through multiple universes to save the world was one of the actress's most physically demanding roles ever. It's also earning her the best reviews of her career. "Michelle gives one of the great performances onscreen ever," Curtis told PEOPLE. "Her ability to dodge in and out of multiple dialects and physical comedy and real drama and wacky sci-fi martial arts stuff — all seemingly effortlessly — is really quite jawdropping and thrilling to behold."