Zhou Dongyu Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Children, Husband, Movies, Awards

Zhou Dongyu is a prominent Chinese actress who became famous for her performance in Zhang Yimou’s film Under the Hawthorn Tree.

Recognized for her talent, she was named one of the “Four Dan Actresses of the Post-90s Generation” by Southern Metropolis Daily, alongside Zheng Shuang, Guan Xiaotong, and Yang Zi.

Profile

• Full Name: Zhou Dongyu
• Stage Name: Zhou Dongyu
• Born: January 31, 1992
• Age: 32 years old
• Birthplace: Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
• Nationality: Chinese
• Occupation: Chinese actress
• Height: 1.6 m
• Parent: Mr. and Mrs. Dongyu
• Siblings: Unknown
• Partners: Tian Mingxin(?-2016)
• Boyfriends: Kenny Lin, Ethan Juan
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: 45 million yuan (approximately $7 million).

Early Life And Education

Zhou Dongyu was born on January 31, 1992, in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China. She was born into an ordinary working-class family. While her parents’ identities are not publicly known but can be referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Dongyu, there is limited information about whether she has siblings.

Zhou attended the prestigious Beijing Film Academy, where she was admitted in 2011. She is of Chinese ethnicity, but details about her religious beliefs remain undisclosed.

Career

Zhou Dongyu first gained prominence in 2010 when Zhang Yimou cast her in the film Under the Hawthorn Tree. Despite having no prior acting experience, Zhou‘s portrayal of the lead character was widely acclaimed, earning her several awards, including Best Actress at the 56th Valladolid International Film Festival in Spain.

Her remarkable debut established her as a rising star in Chinese cinema, paving the way for a series of notable roles. In 2011, she appeared in the romance film The Allure of Tears and the war film The Road of Exploring, where she played Yang Kaihui, the wife of Mao Zedong.

In 2013, Zhou starred in the historical romance film The Palace, part of Yu Zheng’s Gong series, solidifying her reputation in period dramas. A year later, she transitioned to youth-centric roles with My Old Classmate, a coming-of-age romance that topped China’s box office and showcased her acting versatility.

That same year, she displayed her comedic flair in Breakup Buddies. By 2015, Zhou had ventured into suspense and drama with films like The Unbearable Lightness of Inspector Fan and The Ark of Mr. Chow, further broadening her range as an actress. Zhou’s breakthrough came in 2016 with Soul Mate, an adaptation of Anni Baobei’s novel.

Her nuanced performance, alongside co-star Sandra Ma, earned them both Best Actress honors at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards, a rare shared win. Zhou also won Best Actress at the 28th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards, cementing her status as a leading actress in the industry.

In 2017, she showcased her comedic timing in This Is Not What I Expected, a romantic comedy that grossed over 100 million yuan and received high ratings on Maoyan. The following year, she starred in Us and Them, a box-office hit that explored themes of love and separation, earning $191 million in its initial weeks.

In 2019, Zhou reunited with director Derek Tsang for Better Days, a youth drama about school bullying. The film was a critical and commercial success, topping the box office and receiving positive reviews for its socially relevant narrative.

Zhou‘s performance further solidified her reputation as one of China’s most talented actresses. In 2021, she starred in the historical fantasy series Ancient Love Poetry alongside Xu Kai, demonstrating her adaptability to television projects.

By 2023, Zhou was part of Anthony Chen’s film The Breaking Ice, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and competed in the Un Certain Regard category, marking another milestone in her international career. Besides acting, Zhou has been involved in socially and politically sensitive issues.

In March 2021, she ended her contract as a brand ambassador for Burberry after the company announced its decision to stop sourcing cotton from Xinjiang, citing human rights concerns. Zhou‘s move was widely interpreted as a pro-nationalist stance and influenced similar actions by other Chinese celebrities.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @zhoudongyu

Personal Life

Zhou Dongyu’s current relationship status is not publicly confirmed, though some sources suggest she is single. She previously dated her college classmate, Tian Mingxin, but the relationship ended in January 2016.

Over the years, rumors have linked her romantically to actors such as Kenny Lin and Ethan Juan, but none of these speculations have been verified. Zhou Dongyu has not announced any new relationships.

Filmography

• Better Days (2019)
• Us and Them (2018)
• Soulmate (2016)
• Under the Hawthorn Tree (2010)
• The Breaking Ice (2023)
• This Is Not What I Expected (2016)
• The Palace (2012)
• Tainted Love (2023)
• Trending Topic (2023)
• Under the Light (2023)

Net Worth

Zhou Dongyu, a highly acclaimed Chinese actress, is estimated to be worth 45 million yuan (approximately $7 million).

She rose to prominence with breakout roles in films such as Under the Hawthorn Tree and Better Days, solidifying her status as one of China’s leading actresses. Her success in the film industry has been a significant factor in her financial and professional achievements.