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Tsai Chin

Tsai Chin

Actor · Born November 30, 1936 (89) · Tianjin, China

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Tsai Chin, also known by her Chinese name Zhou Caiqin, is an actress, director, teacher and author, best known in America for her role as Auntie Lindo in the film The Joy Luck Club. The third daughter of the legendary Peking opera actor and singer Zhou Xinfang, Tsai Chin was the first Chinese student trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and later earned a Masters Degree at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. Her career spans more than five decades and three continents. She starred onstage in London's West End in The World of Susie Wong, and on Broadway in Golden Child. Chin appeared in two James Bond films: as a Bond girl in You Only Live Twice; and Casino Royale. Her single, "The Ding Dong Song," recorded for Decca, hit the top of the music charts in Asia. She was the first acting instructor to be invited to teach acting in China after the Cultural Revolution, when China's universities re-opened. In China she is best known for her portrayal of Grandmother Jia in the 2010 TV drama series The Dream of Red Mansions.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 30, 1936 (89)
From
Tianjin, China
Works as
Actor
Titles
34 on MovieCove · 55 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 64 days to Oct 27Down 35% in 30 days

What are Tsai Chin's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 5th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
25%
Self
18%
Power
15%
Society
15%
Morality
13%
Survival
10%
Ideas
4%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themePower5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 13 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 12 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 12 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 8 · Heavy 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 18 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles
Shapeshifter
1 of 7
Shadow
1 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Trickster
1 of 7
Ally
1 of 7
Hero
1 of 7
Mentor
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Warm
7
Thrilling
8
Melancholic
6
Hopeful
5
Other
17

How their films linger

Hopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Tsai Chin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 34 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tsai Chin's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

55 credits, 34 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings(2021)

    as Waipo

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Lucky Grandma(2019)

    as Grandma

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Abominable(2019)

    as Nai Nai (voice)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Jade Pendant(2017)

    as Madame Pong

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • She's Got a Plan(2016)

    as Mrs. Roberts

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Now You See Me 2(2016)

    as Bu Bu

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • We Bare Bears(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Linda (voice)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • A Leading Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Grandma Lu Mei-An

  • She Lights Up Well (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Grandma

  • Getting On(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ruth Lee

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as May's Mother

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Nani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Isabel

  • The Dream of Red Mansions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 50 episodes · as 贾母

  • Year of the Fish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Mrs. Su

  • Casino Royale(2006)

    as Madame Wu

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior(2006)

    as Grandma

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Memoirs of a Geisha(2005)

    as Auntie

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Interpreter(2005)

    as Luan

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Helen Rubenstein

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Avatar: The Last Airbender(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Aunt Wu (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer(2003)

    as Madame Lu

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity(2002)

    as Hun Ping Wong

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Strong Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Jin Jae

  • Titan A.E.(2000)

    as Old Woman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • My American Vacation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Grandma Lee

  • Fantasy Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Rita

  • Red Corner(1997)

    as Chairman Xu

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Magic Pearl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Additional Voices (voice)

  • The West Side Waltz(1995)

    as Tenant

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Crowfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Det. Lisa Ishima

  • Due South (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Lee

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Board Member

  • All-American Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Auntie June

  • The Joy Luck Club(1993)

    as Lindo Jong

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • James Bond: The First 21 Years(1983)

    as Ling (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Rentadick(1972)

    as Madam Greenfly

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Virgin Soldiers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Juicy Lucy

  • The Castle of Fu Manchu(1969)

    as Lin Tang

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Blood of Fu Manchu(1968)

    as Lin Tang

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • You Only Live Twice(1967)

    as Ling

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Vengeance of Fu Manchu(1967)

    as Lin Tang

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Blow-Up(1966)

    as Thomas's Receptionist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Brides of Fu Manchu(1966)

    as Lin Tang

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Invasion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Nurse Lim

  • The Face of Fu Manchu(1965)

    as Lin Tang

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Troubleshooters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Esther Ho

  • The Cool Mikado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Man of the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Souen

  • The Defenders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Parma Gideon

  • The Treasure of San Teresa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as 1st Girl in Fight

  • Whicker's World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Inn of the Sixth Happiness(1958)

    as Sui-Lan

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Violent Playground(1958)

    as Primrose

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Bridge on the River Kwai(1957)

    as Tokyo Rose (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Battle Hell(1957)

    as Sampan Woman

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 55 titles from 1957 to 2021; peak year 2021.

Biggest box office

Abominable (2019)

$190M worldwide

Highest rated

The Joy Luck Club (1993)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Abominable (2019)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19572021

Peak 2021 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 7 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting55 of 55: 55 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score66th

By decade

1950s6 · acting1960s13 · acting1970s1 · acting1980s1 · acting1990s10 · acting2000s11 · acting2010s11 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 10% of 21 roles
576797

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Tsai Chin's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 29; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 40th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 34 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

She's Got a Plan (2016)

94th percentile spread · 78% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Tsai Chin's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 5 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 67 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles15–51 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 19 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 59 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Tsai Chin work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tsai Chin's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Christopher Lee shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors