Entered the Central Academy of Drama against the wishes of her parents

Film debut, "Red Sorghum"

Stayed on at the Central Academy of Drama as an instructor

Played opposite director Zhang Yimou in the adventure comedy, "The Terra Cotta Warrior"

Starred in Zhang Yimou's "Ju Dou"

Reunited with Zhang Yimou to star in "Raise the Red Lantern"

Had title role in "The Story of Qiu Ju", directed by Zhang Yimou

Initial collaboration with Chen Kaige, "Farewell My Concubine"

Was the subject of the popular Hong Kong documentary, "The Rising Star: Gong Li", directed by Kam Kwok-leung

Reunited with Zhang Yimou for "To Live"

Had co-starring role in "Shanghai Triad"; last film collaboration with Zhang Yimou

Second film with Chen Kaige "Temptress Moon"

Appeared in first English-language role in "Chinese Box", opposite Jeremy Irons

Reunited with Chen Kaige to star in "The Emperor and the Assassin"

Headlined "Breaking the Silence", directed by Sun Zhou

Starred with Maggie Cheung and Ziyi Zhang in "2046" directed by Wong Kar Wai

Cast as Geisha Hatsumomo in Rob Marshall's adaptation of the best selling novel "Memoirs of a Geisha"

Cast as a drug baroness in the feature adaptation of the 80's series "Miami Vice" directed by Michael Mann

Once again worked with director Zhang in "Curse of the Golden Flower," which co-stars Chow Yun-Fat

Starred in "Hannibal Rising" a prequel to "Silence of the Lambs"