Famous Taiwanese People

Taiwanese-American professional basketball player Jeremy Lin is famous for being the first Asian American to win an NBA championship. He has played for numerous teams in his career, the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) being the latest. He loves music and has collaborated with the rapper MC Jin on the single "The First Opponent."

Shu Qi is a Taiwanese-Hong Kong model and actress best known for playing Nie Yinniang in the critically acclaimed 2015 film, The Assassin, for which she received the prestigious Asian Film Award. Starting from 2013, Shu Qi was named in three successive Forbes China Celebrity 100 lists. She is also one of the highest-paid Taiwanese-Hong Kong actresses.

Taiwanese politician and academic, Tsai Ing-wen, is currently serving as the seventh president of the Republic of China (Taiwan). She has been in office since 2016. She is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party and the first female president of Taiwan. As the president, she has taken steps to fund green energy initiatives and supports LGBTQA+ rights.

Former Taiwanese actor Joan Lin Feng-jiao is best known as the wife of Hong Kong martial artist Jackie Chan. She had to drop out of school at age 12 due to her family’s poor financial condition. She won a Golden Horse Award for The Story of a Small Town.

Chou Tzu-yu is a Taiwanese singer best known for her association with the popular South Korean girl group Twice, where she is currently the youngest member. In 2016, she was named among the most popular idols in South Korea. In 2019, she was adjudged the second-most popular female K-pop idol, according to a survey.

Jerry Yan is a Taiwanese actor and model best known for playing Dao Ming Si in the popular Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden and its sequel Meteor Garden II. Also renowned for his singing skills, Jerry is a former member of a boy band named F4. Over the years, Jerry Yan has won several awards, such as Mnet Asian Music Award.

Taiwanese-Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro was not seen in any major projects after his successful stint in the romantic comedy This Is Not What I Expected, till he announced he was part of the much-delayed Sons of the Neon Night. He is also popular as Samanosuke from the Onimusha video games.

Mark Chao is a Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model. He catapulted to nationwide popularity with his TV debut in the series Black & White, for which he won the Golden Bell Award for Best Actor. He soon ventured into films as well and appeared in a string of hit films, clinching numerous awards for his performances.

Ruby Lin is a Taiwanese actress, producer, and pop singer. She began her career in the glamour industry as a model when she was 17 and eventually started taking up acting assignments. After gaining popularity as an actress, she went a step further and opened her own studio for producing TV shows and films. She is also a singer. 

While he initially aspired to be a basketball player, Wallace Huo later deviated to singing and then acting. The Taiwanese entertainer is known for his performances in Chinese Paladin 3, Swordsman, and the hit fantasy drama The Journey of Flower. He has grabbed deals with brands such as Hugo Boss, too.

Taiwanese actor Joe Chen, also known as the Queen of Idol Dramas, soared to fame with her roles in series such as The Queen of SOP, Swordsman, and Cruel Romance. She met her Malaysian boyfriend, Alan Chen, on the Chinese dating reality show Meeting Mr Right II.

Ma Ying-jeou is a Taiwanese politician who served as the justice minister of Taiwan from 1993 to 1996. From 2008 to 2016, he served as the sixth president of Taiwan. Although he has been quite popular as a politician, Ma Ying-jeou has also attracted criticisms from several environmental groups for his construction of the Taipei Arena and the Maokong Gondola.

Born in Taiwan, Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD, moved to the US at age 3. Lisa eventually earned a PhD in electrical engineering from MIT. Named to the Forbes America’s Self-Made Women 2020 list, she is also the first woman recipient of the IEEE Robert Noyce Medal.

Terry Gou is a Taiwanese billionaire businessman. He is the founder, chairman, and general manager of Foxconn, the world's largest contract manufacturer of electronics. Beginning his career by working odd jobs, he became an entrepreneur as a young man and opened his first factory in 1988. He is also the main owner of HMD Global, a Finnish mobile manufacturer. 

Ethan Juan is a Taiwanese model and actor best known for his portrayal of Ji Cun Xi in the popular television series, Fated to Love You. He is also known for his performance in the 2010 gangster film Monga, for which he was honored at the 47th Golden Horse Awards with the Best Actor award.  

Jiro Wang is a Taiwanese actor and singer best known for his association with the popular Taiwanese boy band, Fahrenheit. Over the years, he has won several prestigious awards, such as China Entertainment Television Award, Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Award, China Mengniu Billboard Music Award, and LeTV Film Entertainment Award.

Kai-Fu Lee is a computer scientist, writer, and businessman. One of the Chinese internet sector's most important figures, Lee is credited with creating a website called Wǒxuéwǎng, which aims at helping young people achieve in their respective careers. Also popular on social media, Lee is one of China's most-followed micro-bloggers; he has more than 50 million followers on Sina Weibo.