Maggie Q

MAGGIE Q is an actress, humanitarian, and international spokesperson who continues to display her range through projects that have immense international appeal. Working opposite some of the world‘s most established actors, including Hugh Jackman (Deception, 2008), Andy Lau (Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon, 2008), Bruce Willis (Live Free or Die Hard, 2007) and Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible III, 2006), she has continuously captivated audiences worldwide by showing her versatility in graceful and seductive roles.

The actress began her career in Hong Kong in the TV drama House of the Dragon (2000). This quickly led to lead roles in films like Gen-Y Cops, opposite Paul Rudd, and Manhattan Midnight. She made memorable cameos in films like Rush Hour 2 and Around the World in 80 Days before starring as a femme fatale in the popular action film Naked Weapon (2002), directed by Tony Ching Siu Tung, the action choreographer for highly successful action films like Hero and House of Flying Daggers.

Maggie‘s early experiences in Hong Kong action films helped develop her work ethic and talent for hand-to-hand combat and martial arts. She was able to use these skills during production on Mission: Impossible III, her first leading role in an American film. In 2007, Maggie showed her comedic side starring opposite George Lopez in Balls of Fury.

In 2008, Maggie accepted the rare opportunity to play the lead role in EA Games‘ Need for Speed, one of the most successful franchises in videogame history. In 2009, Maggie appeared in three segments directed by Yvan Attal in the feature film New York, I Love You. The film is a collaboration of some of today‘s most imaginative filmmakers including Allen Hughes, Mira Nair and Brett Ratner, featuring an all-star cast including Shia LaBeouf, Bradley Cooper and Natalie Portman.

The actress also starred in the Chinese epic Warrior and the Wolf, from award-winning director Zhuangzhuang Tian. The film made its world premiere at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Other credits include starring roles in King of Fighters, based on the popular video game of the same title, and the action comedy Rogue‘s Gallery, featuring Zach Galifianakis and Ving Rhames.

Maggie gives much of her time and voice to animal rights. She supports Animals Asia Foundation‘s various campaigns and works with the Human Rights Action Center and Best Friends Animal Society. Maggie also served as a producer on the 2007 documentary Earthlings, which took a startling look at the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.

Born in Hawaii to an American father and Vietnamese mother, Maggie spent her childhood competing in swimming and track-and-field events. At the age of 18, she moved to Hong Kong to pursue a career in modeling. She quickly rose to the status of top model in many parts of Asia and has appeared on more than 200 magazine covers throughout the world.

When not filming on location or traveling the world to speak out for her charitable causes, Maggie resides in Los Angeles, where she lives with several rescue dogs.

© 2011 Screen Gems/Palm Pictures