Maggie Q
Encyclopedia
Margaret Denise Quigley professionally known as Maggie Q, is an American-born actress and former fashion model. She currently stars as the titular character
on the action-thriller TV series Nikita
.
and Polish descent. Her mother, a golf course employee, is a Vietnamese
immigrant. Her parents met while her father was stationed in Vietnam
during the war
. Q grew up with four siblings.
Q attended Mililani Waena Elementary School and Wheeler Intermediate School. She also attended Mililani High School, where she was on the cross country, track and field, and swim teams. She won the title of "Best Bod" senior year, and graduated from Mililani High School
in 1997.
at the age of 17, before making an unsuccessful move to Taipei
, and finally trying in Hong Kong
. She has said it was not easy for her: "I had twenty bucks in my pocket. I mean, I literally did the same thing that my mother did when she left Vietnam... didn't speak the language... had no money." But, it was in Hong Kong, that she was selected by Jackie Chan
, because he saw a potential action star. His intensive training taught her the importance of professionalism and always doing her own stunts. Q later said, "I had never done a day of martial arts in my life when I started in the business. I couldn’t even touch my toes."
In 1998, she started her acting career in the TV drama House of the Dragon, which was a huge hit in Asia. In 2000, Q made her film debut as Anna in the horror film Model from Hell, and went on to star as an FBI agent Jane Quigley in the action thriller Gen-Y Cops the same year. Her appearance in Gen-Y Cops impressed Jackie Chan
so much that she was cast in Manhattan Midnight and Rush Hour 2
.
In 2002, she starred as martial artist assassin Charlene Ching in the action film Naked Weapon
. In 2005, Q played Harmony in the German-Singaporean TV mini-series House of Harmony
, opposite Fann Wong
. The same year she also co-produced the animal treatment documentary Earthlings
narrated by Joaquin Phoenix
.
In 2006, she starred alongside Tom Cruise
in Mission: Impossible III
. She played Zhen, the only female member of the IMF team. In 2007, she appeared as Mai Linh in the Bruce Willis
movie Live Free or Die Hard
, the fourth film in the Die Hard series, and as Maggie in Balls of Fury
.
In 2008, Q played fictional Cao Ying, a granddaughter of the warlord Cao Cao in Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon
, her first ancient Chinese costume performance. That same year, she also appeared in the drama/thriller movie Deception
starring Ewan McGregor
and Hugh Jackman
, as Tina, an investment banker who introduced Jackman's character to an exclusive anonymous sex club list.
Q also stars in the video game in the Need for Speed
franchise Need for Speed: Undercover
, as the seductive lead character, federal agent Chase Linh, who is the player's only contact to the Tri-City Police.
In 2010, she became the lead character, an assassin gone rogue, on the new CW
series, Nikita
, a revamp of the movie/TV title.
. In 2008, Maggie Q was named PETA Asia-Pacific's "Person of the Year." The same year, the organization also listed Q as one of the "Best-Dressed Celebrities" of 2008.
Q previously dated Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu
who also was a costar of Naked Weapon
. She has three tattoos: one on each arm and one of a phoenix
on her buttocks, which she has had to conceal for most of her roles except Nikita. Q is also deaf in her left ear, because her eardrum was blown out in an explosive stunt while her right ear suffered mild hearing loss. She lives in Los Angeles
, California, with her three (at one point, eight) rescued dogs.
Nikita (Nikita character)
Nikita Meers, better known as Nikita, is the primary protagonist and eponymous character of Nikita, an American action and drama television series, which debuted in September 2010 on The CW Television Network. She is played by American actress Maggie Q...
on the action-thriller TV series Nikita
Nikita (TV series)
La Femme Nikita is a Canadian action/drama television series based on the French film Nikita by Luc Besson. The series was co-produced by Jay Firestone of Fireworks Entertainment and Warner Brothers. It was adapted for television by Joel Surnow...
.
Early life
Q was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her father, a government employee, is of IrishIrish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and Polish descent. Her mother, a golf course employee, is a Vietnamese
Vietnamese people
The Vietnamese people are an ethnic group originating from present-day northern Vietnam and southern China. They are the majority ethnic group of Vietnam, comprising 86% of the population as of the 1999 census, and are officially known as Kinh to distinguish them from other ethnic groups in Vietnam...
immigrant. Her parents met while her father was stationed in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
during the war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Q grew up with four siblings.
Q attended Mililani Waena Elementary School and Wheeler Intermediate School. She also attended Mililani High School, where she was on the cross country, track and field, and swim teams. She won the title of "Best Bod" senior year, and graduated from Mililani High School
Mililani High School
Mililani High School is the only public high school located in Mililani Town CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. on the island of Oahu....
in 1997.
Career
At the suggestion of a friend, Q began modeling in TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
at the age of 17, before making an unsuccessful move to Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, and finally trying in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. She has said it was not easy for her: "I had twenty bucks in my pocket. I mean, I literally did the same thing that my mother did when she left Vietnam... didn't speak the language... had no money." But, it was in Hong Kong, that she was selected by Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, because he saw a potential action star. His intensive training taught her the importance of professionalism and always doing her own stunts. Q later said, "I had never done a day of martial arts in my life when I started in the business. I couldn’t even touch my toes."
In 1998, she started her acting career in the TV drama House of the Dragon, which was a huge hit in Asia. In 2000, Q made her film debut as Anna in the horror film Model from Hell, and went on to star as an FBI agent Jane Quigley in the action thriller Gen-Y Cops the same year. Her appearance in Gen-Y Cops impressed Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
so much that she was cast in Manhattan Midnight and Rush Hour 2
Rush Hour 2
Rush Hour 2 is a 2001 martial arts action comedy film. This is the second installment in the Rush Hour film series. A sequel to the 1998 film Rush Hour, the film stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker who respectively reprise their roles as Inspector Lee and Los Angeles police detective James Carter...
.
In 2002, she starred as martial artist assassin Charlene Ching in the action film Naked Weapon
Naked Weapon
Naked Weapon is a 2002 Hong Kong action-thriller film directed by action choreographer Tony Ching and starring Maggie Quigley, Anya Wu and Daniel Wu. Written by prolific film producer Wong Jing, Naked Weapon is similar in theme though unrelated to his earlier work Naked Killer...
. In 2005, Q played Harmony in the German-Singaporean TV mini-series House of Harmony
House of Harmony
House of Harmony is a S$7 million German-Singaporean telemovie. Jointly produced by 4 parties - Germany's FFP Media and ZDF Pictures, together with Singapore's Oak 3 Films and Media Development Authority , the telemovie was shot in three languages - English, German, and Mandarin.It is based on...
, opposite Fann Wong
Fann Wong
Fann Woon Fong , better known by her stage name Fann Wong, is a Singaporean actress, singer and model.At Singapore's Star Awards 1995, Fann became the first actress to win both the Best Actress and Best Newcomer awards in the same year...
. The same year she also co-produced the animal treatment documentary Earthlings
Earthlings (documentary)
EARTHLINGS is a 2005 movie about humanity's use of animals as pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and for scientific research. The film is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix features music by Moby, directed by Shaun Monson and co-produced by Maggie Q, all of whom are practicing vegans.-Synopsis:Covering...
narrated by Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix , formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an American film actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and his family returned to the continental United States four years later...
.
In 2006, she starred alongside Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
in Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible III is a 2006 spy film, the third based on the spy-themed television series Mission: Impossible starring Tom Cruise who reprises his role of IMF agent Ethan Hunt....
. She played Zhen, the only female member of the IMF team. In 2007, she appeared as Mai Linh in the Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles...
movie Live Free or Die Hard
Live Free or Die Hard
Live Free or Die Hard , is a 2007 American action film, and the fourth installment in the Die Hard series. The film was directed by Len Wiseman and stars Bruce Willis as John McClane. The name was adapted from the state motto of New Hampshire, "Live Free or Die"...
, the fourth film in the Die Hard series, and as Maggie in Balls of Fury
Balls of Fury
Balls of Fury is a 2007 American sports comedy film starring Dan Fogler and Christopher Walken. It was directed by Ben Garant and was released on August 29, 2007.-Plot:...
.
In 2008, Q played fictional Cao Ying, a granddaughter of the warlord Cao Cao in Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon is a 2008 Hong Kong film loosely based on parts of the Chinese classical novel Romance of Three Kingdoms. It was directed by Daniel Lee with a reported budget of US$25 million...
, her first ancient Chinese costume performance. That same year, she also appeared in the drama/thriller movie Deception
Deception (2008 film)
Deception is a 2008 drama/thriller film, directed by Marcel Langenegger and written by Mark Bomback. It stars Ewan McGregor, Hugh Jackman, and Michelle Williams. The film was released on April 25, 2008 in the United States.-Plot:...
starring Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
and Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Michael Jackman is an Australian actor and producer who is involved in film, musical theatre, and television.Jackman has won international recognition for his roles in major films, notably as action/superhero, period and romance characters...
, as Tina, an investment banker who introduced Jackman's character to an exclusive anonymous sex club list.
Q also stars in the video game in the Need for Speed
Need for Speed
Need for Speed is a series of racing video games published by Electronic Arts and developed by several studios including Canadian-based company EA Black Box and British-based Criterion Games...
franchise Need for Speed: Undercover
Need for Speed: Undercover
Need for Speed: Undercover is the 12th installment of the popular racing video game series Need for Speed, developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts . It was released on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, and mobile...
, as the seductive lead character, federal agent Chase Linh, who is the player's only contact to the Tri-City Police.
In 2010, she became the lead character, an assassin gone rogue, on the new CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
series, Nikita
Nikita (TV series)
La Femme Nikita is a Canadian action/drama television series based on the French film Nikita by Luc Besson. The series was co-produced by Jay Firestone of Fireworks Entertainment and Warner Brothers. It was adapted for television by Joel Surnow...
, a revamp of the movie/TV title.
Personal life
Q has been a vegetarian for many years, and was featured in two almost nude ads for PETA Asia-Pacific. She was also responsible for the removal of all real fur from the wardrobe on the set of Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the DragonThree Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon is a 2008 Hong Kong film loosely based on parts of the Chinese classical novel Romance of Three Kingdoms. It was directed by Daniel Lee with a reported budget of US$25 million...
. In 2008, Maggie Q was named PETA Asia-Pacific's "Person of the Year." The same year, the organization also listed Q as one of the "Best-Dressed Celebrities" of 2008.
Q previously dated Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu
Daniel Wu
Daniel Yin-Cho Wu is a Hong Kong actor, director and producer. Since his film debut in 1998, he has been featured in over 40 films. Wu has been called "the young Andy Lau," and is known as a "flexible and distinctive" leading actor in the Chinese-language film industry.-Early life:Wu was born in...
who also was a costar of Naked Weapon
Naked Weapon
Naked Weapon is a 2002 Hong Kong action-thriller film directed by action choreographer Tony Ching and starring Maggie Quigley, Anya Wu and Daniel Wu. Written by prolific film producer Wong Jing, Naked Weapon is similar in theme though unrelated to his earlier work Naked Killer...
. She has three tattoos: one on each arm and one of a phoenix
Phoenix (mythology)
The phoenix or phenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indian and Phoenicians....
on her buttocks, which she has had to conceal for most of her roles except Nikita. Q is also deaf in her left ear, because her eardrum was blown out in an explosive stunt while her right ear suffered mild hearing loss. She lives in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California, with her three (at one point, eight) rescued dogs.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2000 | Model from Hell (鬼名模) | Anna | |
| Gen-Y Cops (特警新人類2) | Jane Quigley | ||
| 2001 | Manhattan Midnight | Susan & Hope (twins) | |
| Rush Hour 2 Rush Hour 2 Rush Hour 2 is a 2001 martial arts action comedy film. This is the second installment in the Rush Hour film series. A sequel to the 1998 film Rush Hour, the film stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker who respectively reprise their roles as Inspector Lee and Los Angeles police detective James Carter... |
Girl in Car | ||
| 2002 | Naked Weapon Naked Weapon Naked Weapon is a 2002 Hong Kong action-thriller film directed by action choreographer Tony Ching and starring Maggie Quigley, Anya Wu and Daniel Wu. Written by prolific film producer Wong Jing, Naked Weapon is similar in theme though unrelated to his earlier work Naked Killer... (赤裸特工) |
Charlene Ching | |
| 2003 | The Trouble-Makers The Trouble-Makers The Trouble-Makers is a 2003 film directed by Aman Chang in Cantonese. The movie has a run time of 85 minutes, and involves the actors Terence Yin, Sam Lee, and Maggie Q.-Plot summary:... (一屋两火) |
Clary | |
| 2004 | Rice Rhapsody Rice Rhapsody Rice Rhapsody is a 2005 film directed by Kenneth Bi. The cast includes Sylvia Chang and Martin Yan. Jackie Chan was one of the executive producers.... (海南雞飯) |
Gigi | |
| Around the World in 80 Days Around the World in 80 Days (2004 film) Around the World in 80 Days is a 2004 American comedy adventure film based on Jules Verne's novel of the same name. It stars Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan and Cécile de France. The film is set in 19th-century Britain and centers on Phileas Fogg , here reimagined as an eccentric inventor, and his... |
Female Agent | ||
| Magic Kitchen Magic Kitchen Magic Kitchen is a 2004 Hong Kong film, directed by Lee Chi-Ngai.-Synopsis:Yau is the proprietor of a successful restaurant/cafe. However, her personal life is very sad. During a television show, she meets her ex-lover Chuen, who announces that he is going to marry her best friend... (魔幻廚房) |
May | ||
| 2005 | House of Harmony House of Harmony House of Harmony is a S$7 million German-Singaporean telemovie. Jointly produced by 4 parties - Germany's FFP Media and ZDF Pictures, together with Singapore's Oak 3 Films and Media Development Authority , the telemovie was shot in three languages - English, German, and Mandarin.It is based on... |
Harmony | |
| Dragon Squad Dragon Squad Dragon Squad is a 2005 Hong Kong action film co-written and directed by Daniel Lee, co-produced by Steven Seagal and starring Vanness Wu, Sammo Hung, Michael Biehn, Maggie Q, and Simon Yam.-Plot:... (猛龍) |
Yuet | ||
| Taped | Maggie | ||
| Earthlings Earthlings (documentary) EARTHLINGS is a 2005 movie about humanity's use of animals as pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and for scientific research. The film is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix features music by Moby, directed by Shaun Monson and co-produced by Maggie Q, all of whom are practicing vegans.-Synopsis:Covering... |
Co-Producer | Film Documentary | |
| 2006 | Mission: Impossible III Mission: Impossible III Mission: Impossible III is a 2006 spy film, the third based on the spy-themed television series Mission: Impossible starring Tom Cruise who reprises his role of IMF agent Ethan Hunt.... |
Zhen Lei | Asian Excellence Award Asian Excellence Awards The Asian Excellence Awards is an annual celebration of the outstanding achievements of Asians and Asian Americans in film, television, music, and the performing arts. The Asian Excellence Awards is the only nationally televised event celebrating significant Asian and Asian American achievements in... for Supporting Film Actress |
| The Counting House | Jade | ||
| 2007 | Live Free or Die Hard Live Free or Die Hard Live Free or Die Hard , is a 2007 American action film, and the fourth installment in the Die Hard series. The film was directed by Len Wiseman and stars Bruce Willis as John McClane. The name was adapted from the state motto of New Hampshire, "Live Free or Die"... |
Mai Linh | |
| Balls of Fury Balls of Fury Balls of Fury is a 2007 American sports comedy film starring Dan Fogler and Christopher Walken. It was directed by Ben Garant and was released on August 29, 2007.-Plot:... |
Maggie Wong | ||
| The Counting House | Jade | ||
| 2008 | Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon is a 2008 Hong Kong film loosely based on parts of the Chinese classical novel Romance of Three Kingdoms. It was directed by Daniel Lee with a reported budget of US$25 million... (三國之見龍卸甲) |
Cao Ying | |
| Deception Deception (2008 film) Deception is a 2008 drama/thriller film, directed by Marcel Langenegger and written by Mark Bomback. It stars Ewan McGregor, Hugh Jackman, and Michelle Williams. The film was released on April 25, 2008 in the United States.-Plot:... |
Tina | ||
| Need for Speed: Undercover Need for Speed: Undercover Need for Speed: Undercover is the 12th installment of the popular racing video game series Need for Speed, developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts . It was released on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, and mobile... |
Chase Linh | Video Game | |
| 2009 | The Warrior and the Wolf The Warrior and the Wolf The Warrior and the Wolf is an Chinese historical action film directed by veteran filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang. The film tells the story of the battle between two ancient warriors. It is Tian's latest directorial effort since 2006's The Go Master.... (狼災記) |
Harran Woman | |
| New York, I Love You New York, I Love You New York, I Love You is a 2009 romance film released in the United States on October 16, 2009. From the producer of Paris, je t'aime, it stars an ensemble cast, among them Bradley Cooper, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, Anton Yelchin, Hayden Christensen, Orlando Bloom, Irrfan Khan, Rachel Bilson,... |
Janice Taylor | On segment "Yvan Attal" | |
| Operation: Endgame | High Priestess | ||
| 2010 | The King of Fighters The King of Fighters (film) The King of Fighters is a film loosely based on SNK Playmore's The King of Fighters series of fighting games. It stars Sean Faris as Kyo Kusanagi, Maggie Q as Mai Shiranui, Will Yun Lee as Iori Yagami, and Ray Park as Rugal Bernstein.-Plot:... |
Mai Shiranui Mai Shiranui is a player character in both the Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters series of fighting games by SNK and in related media, also appearing in a large number of other games... |
|
| 2011 | Priest | Priestess | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1998 | House of Dragon | Devine | |
| 2010–present | Nikita Nikita (TV series) La Femme Nikita is a Canadian action/drama television series based on the French film Nikita by Luc Besson. The series was co-produced by Jay Firestone of Fireworks Entertainment and Warner Brothers. It was adapted for television by Joel Surnow... |
Nikita Nikita (Nikita character) Nikita Meers, better known as Nikita, is the primary protagonist and eponymous character of Nikita, an American action and drama television series, which debuted in September 2010 on The CW Television Network. She is played by American actress Maggie Q... |
Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress: Action Teen Choice Awards The Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with... |
External links
- Maggie Q at Her Hottest - slideshow by Life magazine