Trivia

Had a song written about her by the Red Hot Chili Peppers ("Gong Li").

Can understand English but is uncomfortable in speaking it off camera and in interviews. Usually finds its easier to learn her lines for her English speaking roles phonetically.

Michael Mann and Rob Marshall refer to her as the "Meryl Streep of China".

First Chinese actress/actor on the cover of TIME magazine.

In 2010 Gong Li was presented with the "Commandeur of the Legion of Honor" the highest decoration from the French government. She is the only Chinese woman ever to receive it.

Was chosen and honored as one of TIME Magazine's "60 Years of Asian Heroes".

Beauty ambassador for L'Oreal cosmetics.

Personal favorites: Meryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman

Her performance as Juxian in Farewell My Concubine (1993) (aka "Farewell My Concubine") (1993) is ranked #89 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

Graduated from the Central Drama Academy in Beijing (1989)

Voted "Most beautiful woman in China" 2006.

Empress Phoenix, her character from Curse of the Golden Flower (2006), served as the inspiration for Mattel's Gold Label Collector doll Empress of the Golden Blossom Barbie.

Appointed in 2008 by the United Nations(UNEP) as the "Global Environmental Ambassador", along with Mikhail Gorbachev , Richard Branson, Samuel Etoo Angelique Kinjo, Gabriel Yared.

Named one of CNN's "25 greatest Asian actors of all time".

Her father and her older sister both died of cancer.

President of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 50th Berlin International Film Festival in 2000.

President of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 16th Tokyo International Film Festival in 2003.

She was presented the French government's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in June 1998 for contributions to the cinema.

Youngest person to be honored with the "Trophy of the Festival" award at Cannes.

President of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 59th Venice International Film Festival in 2002.

Recipient of the 2007 Chinese World Influence Award.

#52 on Premiere magazines "100 sexiest movie stars of all time" (2008).

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 50th Cannes International Film Festival in 1997.

Was included in People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.

Received New York Film Critics award for Farewell My Concubine (1993).

Representative of Shanghai Tang line of clothing.