Renowned Chinese-American actress Joan Chen, an Oscar Academy Awards judge whose works have won nine Oscars, has reignited significant online discussions over her early struggles as a dishwasher in the US.

Born in Shanghai in 1961 to a family of medical professionals – her mother a pharmacologist and neurobiologist, and her father a former hospital dean – Chen’s journey into acting was serendipitous.

In 1977, while a secondary school student, Chinese director Xie Jin cast her in the film Youth, drawn by her unique character.

Although this collaboration did not bring widespread recognition, it caught the eye of director Zhang Zheng, who offered her a role in his film The Little Flower. This role earned her the Best Actress Award at the 3rd Hundred Flowers Awards, marking a pivotal turning point in her life and career.

Despite her growing success, she left her acting career in 1981 to study in the US, trading fame for new beginnings and broader opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Initially working as a dishwasher in American restaurants to cover tuition and living expenses, she faced significant psychological challenges transitioning from a celebrated actress to an ordinary worker.