Zhang Ziyi (9 February 1979-) was a Chinese actress and model. Born and raised in Beijing, she made her acting debut at the age of 16 and first rose to international fame in 2000 with her role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which was nominated for ten Oscars. She was also nominated for awards for her roles in Hero in 2002, The House of Flying Dagger in 2004, Memoirs of a Geisha in 2005, and The Grandmaster in 2013. She supported the empowerment of women in films and turned down roles portraying women as victims, and she was also politically involved with the socialist China Zhi Gong Party.