Actress Cheng Pei-pei is deceased
Cheng Pei-pei, 19-Year-Old Actress Who Revolutionized Chinese Cinema in "Come Drink With Me - The Sword of the Yellow Tiger," Passes Away at 78.
The Chinese actress Cheng Pei-pei passed away at the age of 78. This was reported by the US industry magazine "Variety." Pei-pei, who at the age of 19 revolutionized Chinese cinema with her role in the Wuxia film "Come Drink With Me - The Sword of the Yellow Tiger" and became world-renowned, reportedly died on July 17 at her residence in San Francisco.
"Our mother [..] wanted to be remembered as she was: the legendary queen of martial arts," says a statement from the family. Pei-pei was a pioneer for female martial arts roles. She loved being an actress and knew how happy she could be, despite her hard work, to have this career.
Pei-pei was reportedly humble, kind and approachable, patient and friendly, and always generous with her time, even with her international successes. "We will deeply miss her," the family concluded the statement. Pei-pei leaves behind four children and several grandchildren.
Brain Donation
According to the industry magazine, Cheng Pei-pei was diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease in 2019. It was a rare disease with symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease. The progression of this disease cannot be slowed down by current treatments. Pei-pei decided not to make the diagnosis public but to enjoy the remaining time with her children. Her brain will be donated to science after her death.
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 filmmaking, and in 2000, her career experienced a new upswing through her role in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" alongside Michelle Yeoh. 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."
Research institutions may benefit from studying Pei-pei's brain, as she had agreed to donate it after her diagnosis with a rare, degenerative brain disease similar to Parkinson's. In the world of entertainment, Pei-pei's legacy extends beyond Chinese cinema, with her notable roles in Hollywood productions like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and Disney's "Mulan."
