Haute 100 San Francisco Update: Joan Chen

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. Once named the “Elizabeth Taylor of China,” Joan Chen is a sexy, successful San Franciscan armed with a beautiful mind and upcoming lead roles.

Joan Chen

Category: Entertainer

Industry: Actress

What Made Her Haute: Her film awards are many and the fact that she calls San Francisco home serves as a testament to our city. We first fell in love with Joan Chen back in 1987 when she sprang onto the American scene in the Academy Award-winning film The Last Emperor. She continued to make her presence known with projects like Heaven and Earth, Temptation of a Monk, Lust, Caution, The Home Song Stories and The Sun Also Rises.

What Make Her Haute: An illustrious actress, director, producer and writer enduring more than two decades in the industry, Joan Chen is much more than just a pretty face. Expect to see Chen co-starring in Bruce Beresford’s Mao’s Last Dancer, set to hit screens on Aug. 20, alongside Bruce Greenwood and Kyle MacLachlan. American audiences will be captivated by the autobiography-turned-box-office sensation in this true story of world-renowned ballet dancer Li Cunxin. Chen has also officially been named writer/director and star of a third of a three-segment film, Seeing Red, depicting female revenge in New York’s Chinatown shooting in late fall.