Chen Joan

US citizen since 1988. Has one elder brother, Chuan Chen, an artist who goes by the professional name of Chase Chenoff.Cancelled proceedings to adopt a child when she became pregnant with daughter Angela Frances. [October 1998]Joan was first spotted by Ching Chiang, the wife of Mao Zedong at a Chinese rifle range. She then recommended Joan to movie producers.While preparing to shoot a period piece called "Fu Song" (2002), she discovered she was pregnant. She took a break from the film and eventually gave birth to a second daughter. [2002]Selected by Self magazine as one of "The Nine Best Bodies for the 90s".Measurements: 34C-24-35 1/2 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)Member of the jury at the Berlin International Film Festival. [1996]Her Chinese first name "Chong" means "charge on!" and "to rush".Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. [1992]She is referred to as Chen Chong in Mandarin and Chan Chung in Cantonese.Speaks Mandarin, English and Shangainese.Is friends with Amy Tan.Is friends with Wayne Wang.She went to film school with author Anchee Min in Shanghai. In 1984 she helped Min emigrate from China to the US and is mentioned in Min's autobiography, "Red Azalea".Inspired indie rock band 'Xiu Xiu', named after Chen's film Tian yu (1998) (aka Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl).Childhood friend of writer Geling Yan.Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival. [2001]Her grandfather was a famous Shanghai pharmacologist. He protested the Cultural Revolution by swallowing a fatal dose of cyanide at a public meeting, after he was wrongly accused of being a counterrevolutionary and a foreign spy.Chosen by Goldsea Asian American Daily as one of the "100 Most Inspiring Asian Americans of All Time" (ranked #44).During a press conference at the 61st Cannes Film Festival for Er shi si cheng ji (2008), Zhang Ke Jia, Joan Chen and Tao Zhao observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the 2008 devastating earthquake in China. The film Er shi si cheng ji (2008) was shot in Chengdu, in Sichuan province where the earthquake struck.Attended the 61st Cannes Film Festival. [May 2008]Her performance in The Home Song Stories (2007) earned her 5 awards and 2 nominations for Best Actress.Nominated twice at the 2nd Asian Film Awards for two different roles: for Best Supporting Actress for Tai yang zhao chang sheng qi (2007), and for Best Actress for The Home Song Stories (2007). She eventually won the award for Best Supporting Actress for Tai yang zhao chang sheng qi (2007). [March 2008]Narrated the MP3 audio guide Louis Vuitton Soundwalk Shanghai City Guide, one of the three audio guides for Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong), produced by Louis Vuitton and Soundwalk, and released in June 2008. The Beijing City Guide is narrated by Li Gong and the Hong Kong City Guide is narrated by Qi Shu. [2008]Narrated with Amy Tan the audio book version of Tan's novel "The Bonesetter's Daughter". Chen reads the part of Ruth. [2001]Appeared alongside James Kyson-Lee and Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom in a public service announcement for the Banyan Tree Project campaign to stop HIV/AIDS-related stigma in Asian & Pacific Islander communities. [May 19, 2008]Friend of author Anchee Min. The two befriended each other at the Shanghai Film Studio when they were teenagers. Min being considered politically incorrect, Chen was told to stay away from her. Nonetheless, the two maintained their friendship and Chen later helped Min emigrate to the USA in 1984. Min said: "Joan Chen was very successful back then in China. She was a budding star. I was an underdog, politically incorrect. Nobody wanted to be associated with me. They told Joan Chen not to be with me. They told her it was good for her, but she always stood by me, showing her camaraderie and support. I'll never forget it".Had her head completely shaved in the film You Seng (1993) for the role of Qingshou (Violet).Member of the jury at the 11th Shanghai International Film Festival. The jury also included German producer Ulrich Felsberg, Danish director Bille August, Israeli writer Gila Almagor, Japanese director Kaori Momoi, Chinese director Jianqi Huo, and was headed by Hong Kong director Kar Wai Wong. [June 2008]Headed the Altadis-New Directors Award Jury at the 56th San Sebastian Film Festival. [September 2008]She has been called "China's Elizabeth Taylor" for achieving stardom while still a teenager, and "China's Meryl Streep" for her ability to move beyond the role of ing