Lisa Lu Shines Bright: Hollywood Honors 98-Year-Old Chinese-American Screen Legend

By Richard Ren | LAPost | Los Angeles, May 5, 2025

At 11:30 AM on May 5, coinciding with the kickoff of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, 98-year-old legendary Chinese-American actress Lisa Lu was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She became the 2,811th recipient of the iconic star, now embedded at 1708 Vine Street—poetically positioned between two figures of cinematic history: her first Hollywood co-star and Oscar winner James Stewart, and pioneering Asian-American actress Anna May Wong. The placement signifies a century-long legacy of Chinese contributions to film.

Hosted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the location carried deep meaning. Ceremony producer Ana Martinez noted, “Lisa Lu’s star is placed next to James Stewart, her co-star from The Mountain Road, and also beside Anna May Wong’s star. This honors not only her artistic accomplishments but her groundbreaking work in promoting diversity and cultural representation.”

The ceremony was emceed by Steve Nissen, President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The guest list was star-studded, including Golden Globe-winning actress Awkwafina and Janet Yang, the first Asian President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—both of whom delivered heartfelt tributes honoring Lu’s six-decade, cross-cultural acting career.

Janet Yang shared an emotional speech, emphasizing how Lu has portrayed roles with grace and dignity across Asia and Hollywood alike. She particularly highlighted Lu’s matriarchal performances in The Last Emperor, The Joy Luck Club, and Crazy Rich Asians as both dignified and heartwarming. Yang also noted a personal connection: both she and Lu’s father studied at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, a detail that deepened her admiration.

“Lisa Lu paved the way for Asian women like me. She’s a role model for us all,” Yang said. She pointed to Lu’s powerful portrayal of An-Mei in The Joy Luck Club—a mother determined to break cycles of suffering—as emblematic of strength and hope. Even at 98, Lisa Lu remains vibrant and inspiring.

Actress Awkwafina, who is of Chinese and Korean descent, also spoke warmly about Lu as a “co-star, fan, and friend.” She recalled her awe upon meeting Lu for the first time on the Crazy Rich Asians set: “I was goofing off in the makeup trailer until I realized Lisa Lu was sitting right next to me—I immediately shut up out of respect.” Awkwafina praised Lu not just as a trailblazer but as someone who fought for roles of depth and dignity for Asian actors, lighting the way for future generations.

“This star is more than Lisa Lu’s honor—it’s a physical embodiment of Asian-American cultural memory,” said Ana Martinez. Located at the famed Hollywood & Vine intersection, the star will be seen by tens of thousands of visitors daily. It’s especially poignant that this year marks the 65th anniversary of The Mountain Road, Lu’s Hollywood debut in which she played a rare romantic lead as an Asian actress.

Lu appeared at the ceremony wearing a silk Chinese cheongsam adorned with jade jewelry, looking radiant and elegant. In her speech, she said:

“I’m so happy to finally have a star on the Walk of Fame! Film has been my lifelong passion, and working with so many talented peers has inspired me to love life and strive for excellence.”

She shared that she declined the honor in 1960, believing “a name shouldn’t be stepped on.” But now, she embraces it proudly, hoping her star will inspire younger Asian actors to shine in Hollywood.

A three-time Golden Horse Award winner and voting member of the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Emmys, and SAG, Lu has helped reshape the role of Chinese women in global cinema. Even near 100, she remains active, with recent appearances in Crazy Rich Asians, The Farewell Plan of Grandma Wu, the animated film Over the Moon, and Hulu’s Death and Other Details.

Lisa Lu debuted in The Mountain Road (1960, Columbia Pictures), and went on to appear in internationally acclaimed films like Chinatown, The Last Emperor, and The Joy Luck Club. Her role as a mother in The Joy Luck Club has become iconic in Asian-American cinematic history, cementing her status in both Eastern and Western film industries.

Notably, Lisa Lu remains the only Chinese actress to hold voting rights in all four major entertainment academies: the Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, and SAG.

The event was live-streamed globally. Lisa, lightly made up with silver hair styled elegantly, was joined by her two daughters and other relatives, warmly engaging with attendees. After the ceremony, she hosted a private luncheon at a Beverly Hills restaurant owned by a longtime friend, graciously seeing off guests herself well into the afternoon.

A special video montage was played on site, showcasing highlights from Lu’s storied career—from black-and-white film to 4K digital—paying tribute to her enduring impact on cinema.

The guest list included Joy Luck Club actresses Ming-Na Wen, Tamlyn Tomita, and France Nuyen; producer Janet Yang; Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan; prominent actors Bowen Yang, Archie Kao, and Canadian-based actor Ludi Lin, who all came to celebrate Lisa Lu’s moment of glory.

Chinese-American director Anna Chi, who directed Lu in The Farewell Plan of Grandma Wu, said Lu remains full of creative passion. “She just asked me, ‘When are you shooting your next movie?’” Chi’s husband, Douglas Smith, an Oscar-winning VFX artist who worked on China’s epic Creation of the Gods, was also present.

Other notable attendees included Georges N. Chamchoum, CEO of the Asian World Film Festival and key advocate for Lu’s star; U.S.-China Television Festival Chairman James Su and his wife; Lisa Lu’s longtime friend and celebrated designer Sue Wong; and prominent Chinese-American community leaders like Leo Chu and his wife.