Wu Chien-Lien was born on July 3, 1968, in Taipei, Taiwan, a city that would later become a significant part of her life and career. Her entry into the world of entertainment was sparked by her fascination with the 1980 American film Fame, which inspired her to pursue a career in the arts.
After completing her high school education, Wu entered the Taipei National University of Art, where she honed her skills and earned tuition money by singing commercial jingles and providing back-up vocals. It was during this time that she caught the attention of famous actress Sylvia Chang, who happened to come across a striking photograph of Wu at the record company where she worked.
Sylvia Chang sent the photograph to Johnnie To, a renowned film director, who was casting for a new movie. This chance encounter led to Wu's breakout role in the 1990 film A Moment of Romance, which catapulted her to stardom across Asia. Over the next few years, Wu continued her studies while appearing in a few films here and there, gradually building a reputation as a talented young actress.
In 1994, Wu's performance in the UFO horror film The Returning earned her a nomination for the Hong Kong Film Awards' Best Actress Award. She also appeared in Ang Lee's acclaimed film Eat Drink Man Woman, released the same year, and made her debut as a singer. Wu's versatility as an actress was further showcased when she was cast against type as a cold-blooded killer in the Milkyway films Beyond Hypothermia (1996) and Intruder (1997).
One of Wu's most acclaimed roles to date is that of an ill-fated but determined young woman in Ann Hui's 1997 film Eighteen Springs, for which she received a nomination for the Hong Kong Film Awards' Best Actress Award and won the Hong Kong Critics Society Best Actress Award. In recent years, Wu has worked on a Mainland TV series, taking on the role of tragic 30s actress Ruan Ling-Yu.
Throughout her career, Wu has managed to maintain a low profile, avoiding the usual celebrity relationship gossip and rumors. She has reportedly insisted that she has no intentions of retiring from acting when or if she gets married, indicating her dedication to her craft and her passion for the art of acting.
