Cheng Pei-pei - Mourning a Chinese actress
Cheng Pei-pei (1946-2024) revolutionized Chinese cinema with her role in the Wuxia film "Come Drink With Me - The Sword of the Golden Dragoness" (1966) at the age of 19. She is considered a pioneer for female martial arts roles - now she is deceased at the age of 78. According to Variety, the actress passed away on July 17 in her residence in San Francisco, USA.
"Legendary Queen of Martial Arts"
"Our mother Cheng Pei-pei wanted to be remembered as she was: the legendary Queen of Martial Arts," says a statement from the family. She loved being "an actress and knew how happy she could be, having this career."
Pei-pei was reportedly generous, humble, patient, and friendly, and always generous with her time, despite her decades of international success. "We will deeply miss her," the family concluded in the statement. Pei-pei leaves behind four Children and several grandchildren.
Her Brain will be donated for research
According to industry reports, Cheng Pei-pei was diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease in 2019. This was a rare disease with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. The progression of this disease cannot be slowed down by current treatments.
Pei-pei decided not to make her diagnosis public but to enjoy the remaining time with her children. Her brain will be donated to science after her death.
Pioneer of female martial arts roles
After her breakthrough in "Come Drink With Me," Cheng Pei-pei became a major star in Martial Arts, Action, and Swordplay films. In 1970, she moved from Hong Kong to California, where she married and raised her children. In 1986, she returned to film, and in 2000, her career experienced a new upswing through her role in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" alongside Michelle Yeoh (61). The film won four Oscars.
Recently, Cheng Pei-pei was seen in the lead role in the British film drama "Lilting" (2014) and in 2020 as a matchmaker in Disney's Live-Action Remake of "Mulan."
Despite her diagnosis with a degenerative brain disease in 2019, which was similar to Parkinson's and couldn't be slowed down by current treatments, Cheng Pei-pei chose to spend her remaining time with her four Children in San Francisco.
After her passing on July 17, 2024, Cheng Pei-pei, the legendary Queen of Martial Arts, will be remembered not only for her groundbreaking role in Chinese cinema but also as a loving Mother and a generous actress who graced stages in San Francisco with her Theater acting skills.
In a tribute to her pioneering spirit, Cheng Pei-pei's brain will be donated for research, contributing to the advancement of understanding and treatments for degenerative brain diseases.
