Maggie Q
Maggie Q | |
---|---|
Born | Margaret Denise Quigley May 22, 1979[1] |
Other names | Maggie D. Quigley |
Occupation(s) | Actress, model |
Years active | 1998–present |
Margaret Denise Quigley[2] (born May 22, 1979),[3] professionally known as Maggie Q, is an American actress and model. She achieved international fame starring as the title role on The CW's action-thriller series Nikita that aired from 2010 to 2013. In 2014, she portrayed Tori Wu in the film adaptation of Veronica Roth's novel Divergent,[4] and stars in the Kevin Williamson CBS drama series Stalker as Lieutenant Beth Davis.[5][6]
Early life
Q was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii.[7][8] Her father is of Irish and Polish descent[9] and her mother is a Vietnamese immigrant.[8][10] Her parents met while her father was stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.[11][12] Q grew up with four siblings.[8]
Q attended Mililani Waena Elementary School and Wheeler Intermediate School. She then attended Mililani High School, where she was on the cross country, track and field, and swim teams. She won the title of "Best Body" senior year, and graduated from Mililani High School in 1997.[8] She won an athletics scholarship to a private university and intended to study veterinary science. Q's family was unable to assist her financially; she left Hawaii during the summer in hopes of earning enough money so that she could start her studies in the autumn.[13]
Career
1996–97: Modeling
At the suggestion of a friend, Q began modeling in Tokyo at the age of 17, before making an unsuccessful move to Taipei, and finally trying in Hong Kong.[8][11][14] 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."[10] 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."[11]
1998–2009: Start of acting career
In 1998,[15] 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.[8]
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.[16]
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,[8] 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[15] who introduced Jackman's character to an exclusive anonymous sex club list.
Q also stars in the video game 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.[17]
2010–present: Nikita, Divergent and Stalker
In 2010, Q became the lead character, an assassin gone rogue, on the CW series Nikita, based on the 1990 French film of the same name.[11] Since the premiere of Nikita, Q has been incorrectly stated as the first Asian American series lead in an American television drama;[18] this is not true as it was actually the actress Anna May Wong who was the first Asian American series lead of an American television series with her show The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong which aired back in 1951.[19] Q received mostly positive reviews for her role in the series.[20][21] The character was included in TV Guide's lists of "TV's Sexiest Crime Fighters" and "TV's Toughest Ladies".[22][23]
In 2014, Q played the role of Dauntless faction member Tori Wu, in the film Divergent, the adaptation of the same-titled novel.[4] Q will reprise her role in the sequel of the Divergent, titled The Divergent Series: Insurgent, which began filming on May 27, 2014 and has a release date of March 20, 2015. She also stars in the CBS drama series Stalker[5] by Kevin Williamson as Detective Beth Davis along with Dylan McDermott and Mariana Klaveno.[6] The series premiered on October 1, 2014 for the 2014–15 fall television season.[24][25]
Personal life
Q is outspoken on the subject of animal rights and has taken part in PETA Asia's campaigns promoting vegetarianism. In a PETA ad, she posed nearly nude in a bed of crimson chili peppers to spread the word that going vegetarian is the best way to "spice up your life" as well as help animals, your health, and the environment. A second ad for PETA Asia features her wearing a bikini made entirely of strategically placed lettuce leaves next to the tagline "Turn Over a New Leaf – Try Vegetarian!"[26]
A vegetarian for many years, she once said that giving up meat is one of the most rewarding decisions she has ever made. "I feel better, I have more energy on and off the set, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that I'm doing something to help stop animal suffering." In 2008, Maggie Q was named PETA Asia-Pacific's "Person of the Year."[27] The same year, the organization also listed Q as one of the "Best-Dressed Celebrities" of 2008. She has since taken the step to cut all animal products from her diet by becoming a vegan.[28]
Q previously dated Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu, who also was a costar of Naked Weapon.[29] She has three tattoos: one on each arm and one of a phoenix on her left hip, which she has had to conceal for most of her roles except Nikita.[30] Q also suffered temporary hearing loss in her right ear, when her eardrum was blown out in an explosive stunt.[31]
In 2007, she lived in Studio City, Los Angeles, California with her two (at one point, eight) rescued dogs.[8][32] She also has a house in Pound Ridge, New York.[33][34]
In January of 2015, she announced her engagement to her Stalker co-star Dylan McDermott.[35]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | Model from Hell | Anna | Chinese: 鬼名模 |
2000 | Jackie Chan Presents: Metal Mayhem | Jane Quigley | Chinese: 特警新人類2 |
2001 | Manhattan Midnight | Susan/Hope | |
2001 | Rush Hour 2 | Girl in car | |
2002 | Naked Weapon | Charlene Ching | Chinese: 赤裸特工 |
2003 | The Trouble-Makers | Miss Clary | Chinese: 一屋兩火 |
2004 | Magic Kitchen | May | Chinese: 魔幻厨房 |
2004 | Around the World in 80 Days | Female agent | |
2004 | Rice Rhapsody | Gigi | Chinese: 海南雞飯 |
2005 | Taped | Maggie | Short film |
2005 | Earthlings | Documentary; co-producer | |
2005 | Dragon Squad | Yuet | Chinese: 猛龍 |
2005 | House of Harmony | Harmony | Television film |
2006 | Mission: Impossible III | Zhen Lei | Asian Excellence Award for Supporting Film Actress |
2007 | The Counting House | Jade | |
2007 | Live Free or Die Hard | Mai Linh | |
2007 | Balls of Fury | Maggie Wong | |
2008 | Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon | Cao Ying | Chinese: 三國之見龍卸甲 |
2008 | Deception | Tina | |
2008 | New York, I Love You | Janice Taylor | Segment "Yvan Attal" |
2009 | The Warrior and the Wolf | Harran Woman | Chinese: 狼灾记 |
2010 | Operation: Endgame | High Priestess | |
2010 | The King of Fighters | Mai Shiranui | |
2011 | Priest | Priestess | |
2014 | Divergent | Tori Wu | |
2014 | Unity | Narrator | Documentary |
2015 | The Divergent Series: Insurgent | Tori Wu | In post-production |
2015 | A Conspiracy on Jekyll Island | In post-production |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | House of the Dragon | Devine | Unknown episodes |
2010–13 | Nikita | Nikita | Main role; 73 episodes |
2012 | Young Justice | Wonder Woman | Voice; 2 episodes |
2014–present | Stalker | Beth Davis/Michelle Webber | Main role |
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2008 | Need for Speed: Undercover | Chase Linh |
See also
References
- ^ "Monitor". Entertainment Weekly. No. 1208. Time. May 25, 2012. p. 21.
- ^ Chozick, Amy (September 1, 2010). "'Nikita': Don't Make Maggie Q Have to Hurt You". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "Maggie Q". TVGuide.com. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
- ^ a b Nevets, Stephen. "New 'Divergent' Images Spotlights Massive Cast, Action Including Ashley Judd, Maggie Q". The Global Dispatch. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
- ^ a b http://tvline.com/2014/05/09/cbs-fall-2014-new-series-ncis-new-orleans-odd-couple/
- ^ a b Harnick, Chris. "Maggie Q Is Coming Back to TV in a New Kevin Williamson Project—Get the Details!". E! Online. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ^ "The 5-minute Interview: Maggie Q, Actress". London: The Independent. October 31, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Mission Very Possible". Midweek. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "Talking Mission: Impossible III with Maggie Q". MovieWeb. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ a b "Maggie Q (7/27/2010)". Lopez Tonight. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Yuan, Jada (August 22, 2010). "Hong Kong's Hit Girl". New York Magazine. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ "Kick ass girl". London: The Times. April 23, 2006. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
- ^ Brzeski, Patrick (January 19, 2011). "Maggie Q on her Hollywood success". TimeOut Hong Kong. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
- ^ Ito, Robert (February 8, 2007). "The Maggie Q story: Gone to Asia with an eye toward Hollywood". New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
- ^ a b Burke, Jodie (April 24, 2008). "Maggie Q in 'Deception'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
- ^ "Single Most Powerful Information With Professional Cast and Crew in EARTHLINGS". Nation Earth. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "INTERNATIONAL BOX OFFICE SENSATION MAGGIE Q TO STAR IN NEED FOR SPEED UNDERCOVER". teamxbox. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ The new and improved Maggie Q, retrieved 29 July 2013
- ^ "Film reveals real-life struggles of an onscreen 'Dragon Lady'." January 3, 2008. Retrieved: January 27, 2010.
- ^ Stanley, Alessandra (September 7, 2010). "Lethal Woman With Weapons Is Out for Covert Vengeance". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ Bianco, Robert (September 9, 2010). "'Nikita' star Maggie Q brings killer looks to killer role". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ "TV's Sexiest Crime Fighters". TV Guide. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
- ^ "Maggie Q Pictures,Nikita Photos - Photo Gallery: TV's Toughest Ladies". TV Guide. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (May 9, 2014). "CBS Orders 'CSI: Cyber', 'NCIS: New Orleans', 'The Odd Couple', 'Stalker', 'Madam Secretary', 'Scorpion' & 'The McCarthys'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ Swift, Andy (May 9, 2014). "Fall TV: CBS Orders NCIS and CSI Spin-Offs, Odd Couple, Kevin Williamson's Stalker and 4 More to Series (But Not How I Met Your Dad?)". TVLine. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ http://www.petaasiapacific.com/feature-maggieq.asp
- ^ "MAGGIE Q NAMED PETA'S PERSON OF THE YEAR". PETA Asia-Pacific. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "PETA Announces the Best-Dressed Celebrities". PETA Asia-Pacific. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "Maggie Q". Hong Kong Movie World. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ "'Nikita': Maggie Q reveals her tattoo's origin story". Zap2it. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "Maggie Q". Maxim UK. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ^ "Interview with Maggie Q". CNN. November 19, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ http://www.celebuzz.com/2013-07-29/nikita-star-maggie-q-buys-historic-1-2m-new-york-estate/
- ^ http://www.zillow.com/blog/maggie-q-sells-studio-city-stunner-for-rustic-mill-house-128754/
- ^ "Report: Stalker's Dylan McDermott and Maggie Q Are Engaged". TV Guide. United States: tvguide.com. CBS Interactive. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
External links
- 1979 births
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- Actresses from Honolulu, Hawaii
- American expatriates in Hong Kong
- American female models
- American film actresses
- American models of Asian descent
- American people of Irish descent
- American people of Polish descent
- American people of Vietnamese descent
- American Roman Catholics
- American television actresses
- American voice actresses
- Animal rights advocates
- Hong Kong film actresses
- Hong Kong female models
- Living people
- People from Pound Ridge, New York