With outstanding visuals and acting talent that few can rival, Zhou Xun has long stood as a towering figure in Chinese entertainment, despite her petite 1.55m (approximately 5’1’’) stature. While most remember her as a “Triple Best Actress” (winner of the prestigious award ceremonies Golden Horse, Golden Rooster, and Hong Kong Film Awards), directors across generations continue to sing her praises not only for her thespian prowess but also for a beauty that leaves a lasting impression.
One such admirer, legendary director Chen Kaige, once said, “Zhou Xun is truly beautiful. Her only flaw is her height. If she were 10cm taller, the entire entertainment industry would be hers.” Other directors have dubbed her ““the bride-faced beauty”” and ““a muse among muses.””
Even beside fellow screen icons like Zhang Ziyi, Li Bingbing, or even the strikingly youthful Zhang Yuqi, who is 13 years her junior, Zhou Xun has never faded into the background. Her big, expressive eyes and ethereal presence routinely steal the spotlight, whether on stage or at global events like Cannes, where her red carpet moments remain iconic.
While she may lack height, Zhou Xun’s filmography speaks volumes. From “Suzhou River” and “The Equation of Love and Death” to “Red Sorghum” and “Painted Skin”, her roles are as diverse as they are challenging. Her portrayal of the seductive fox spirit Xiao Wei in “Painted Skin” left even seasoned audiences mesmerized—more haunting and sensual than many actresses praised solely for their looks.
Additionally, Feng Xiaogang, a renowned Chinese filmmaker, called her “the indisputable best actress of her generation,” who is “miles ahead of the second place”, while Peter Chan described her as a limitless actress capable of inspiring every director’s imagination. Even the famously sharp-tongued TV personality Jin Xing couldn’t hold back her admiration, praising, “Zhou Xun was born to act.”
Not every industry veteran sees Zhou Xun as a classic beauty. In fact, Hong Kong director Wong Jing rated the actress just 70 out of 100 for looks, but gave her a full 100 for acting. He added, “She may be just over 1.5 meters tall with no bombshell figure, but she can portray a fox demon more alluring than any so-called goddess. She’s the best actress I’ve met in 40 years.“
Zhou Xun’s career began unconventionally. With no formal acting training, she still rose to dominate the industry, proving that true artistry transcends credentials. In 2010, she was one of only three Chinese women included in CNN’s list “Asia’s 25 Greatest Actors of All Time”, alongside Gong Li and Ruan Lingyu.
Now in her 50s, Zhou Xun has embraced aging with grace. “I can’t go back to the days of playing Princess Taiping (her role in ‘Palace of Desire’). I can only move forward,” she once said. With her signature poise and passion still burning, she continues to take on new roles, receiving accolades while remaining an irreplaceable gem in the Chinese entertainment landscape.