Michelle Yeoh is one step closer to the top acting prize in show business. Photo: AP
PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh is on the verge of becoming not only the first Malaysian to have won a Golden Globe, but possibly an Oscar as well!
Yeoh’s portrayal of an ordinary woman who becomes the multiverse’s last hope in the film Everything Everywhere All At Once won her a Golden Globe earlier this month for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Motion Picture.
Her performance in the film has also earned her a nomination for an Oscar for Best Actress at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards on March 12.
The announcement yesterday has created buzz among Yeoh’s many fans around the world, including in her home country.
As we wait to see if Yeoh does indeed manage to win the Oscar, let’s take a closer look at some of the many accomplishments of Malaysia’s global screen icon:
Yeoh’s career spans nearly 70 films and television performances to date and in genres ranging from martial arts to science fiction.
She first made a name for herself in the 1980s starring in Hong Kong action films, fighting her way to the top of a male-dominated genre and earning her a reputation as the “queen of martial arts”.
She then widened her reach to Hollywood, starring as the Chinese agent Wai Lin in the 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.
While many of her films fall into the action and martial arts category, Yeoh’s versatility has garnered her roles in a wide range of genres ranging from drama to science fiction.
Here’s a closer look at her films and television performances:
Many of Yeoh’s films enjoyed major box office success. The following is a look at some of her biggest hits:
In recognition of her talent and performances, Yeoh has earned numerous nominations and awards throughout her career:
A win by Yeoh would hold great significance not just for Malaysia. As the New York Times put it, “no Asian woman has ever won best actress, and after 94 ceremonies, the only winner of colour in the category remains Halle Berry for Monster’s Ball.
In terms of Yeoh’s chances, various publications have described as one of the front-runners in the Oscar race for Best Actress.
Entertainment publication Variety ranked Yeoh as the leading contender to win the award ahead of Cate Blanchett for her role in Tár.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Yeoh's performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once has garnered the best reviews of the actress' career, “with many touting her as a front-running contender for a nomination in the Academy's Best Actress category.”
The New York Times also puts Yeoh as a possible winner, saying that her leading role in the critically acclaimed film, “should earn Yeoh her first Oscar nod.”
The following are the previous Best Actress winners since the year 2000.
Are you a big fan of Hollywood and its most outstanding Oscar-winning actresses? Test your knowledge in our quiz below:
