Fala Chen Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Height, Children

Fala Chen, born Chen Fala, is a Chinese-American actress celebrated for her versatile performances across Hong Kong and Hollywood entertainment.

She gained prominence through her work with TVB, starring in acclaimed dramas like Heart of Greed (2007) and No Regrets (2010), earning two Best Supporting Actress awards at the TVB Anniversary Awards.

After transitioning to Hollywood, she is best known for her role as Ying Li in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and appearances in HBO’s The Undoing (2020) and Irma Vep (2022), solidifying her as a global talent.

Profile

• Full Name: Chen Fala
• Stage Name: Fala Chen
• Born: 24 February 1982
• Age: 43 years old
• Birthplace: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Singer
• Height: 1.71m
• Parents: Chen Fengsheng and Mrs. Chen
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Emmanuel Straschnov (m. 2013)
• Children: Minnie Straschnov, Mickey Straschnov
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Chen Fala was born on February 24, 1982, in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, to Chen Fengsheng and Mrs. Chen.

An only child, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at age 14 with her family.

She graduated from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in 2005 with a degree in Marketing and International Business.

Chen later pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Drama at The Juilliard School in New York, graduating in 2018 as the first Chinese-American to complete the program.

She is of Chinese descent, and her religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Fala Chen began her career through beauty pageants, competing to fund her college tuition.

She won Miss Asian America 2002, Miss NY Chinese 2004, and placed first runner-up at Miss Chinese International 2005, representing New York.

This led to an eight-year contract with TVB, where she debuted in the drama Forensic Heroes (2006) as a guest star.

Her roles in Heart of Greed (2007) and Steps (2007) earned her critical acclaim, with the latter securing her first Best Supporting Actress award at the TVB Anniversary Awards.

Chen’s career advanced with leading roles in Lives of Omission (2011) and Triumph in the Skies II (2013), alongside her film debut in Turning Point (2009), which earned a nomination for Best New Performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

After her TVB contract ended in 2013, she pursued further training at Juilliard, debuting on stage in the Chinese adaptation of Skylight (2016).

Her Hollywood breakthrough came with The Undoing (2020), followed by a prominent role as Ying Li in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), and a series regular role in HBO’s Irma Vep (2022).

Chen continues to expand her presence in global cinema, starring in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) and securing a role in Netflix’s Ballad of a Small Player alongside Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton.

Her multilingual skills in Mandarin, English, Cantonese, and Japanese enhance her versatility, allowing her to bridge Asian and Western markets.

Chen’s journey from Hong Kong television to Hollywood, coupled with her dedication to her craft, has established her as a trailblazer for Asian representation in the entertainment industry.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @falachenfala
• Facebook Handle: Fala Chen
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Fala Chen married French entrepreneur Emmanuel Straschnov in 2013 in France.

The couple has two children: a daughter, Minnie, born in February 2021, and a son, Mickey, born in March 2024.

Chen balances her career with motherhood, often bringing her family to filming locations to maintain closeness.

Filmography

• Turning Point (2009)
• The Jade and the Pearl (2010)
• Tales from the Dark 2 (2013)
• Despicable Me 3 (2017, Cantonese dub)
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
• Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

Discography

• Beautiful Life (2012)

Net Worth

Fala Chen has an estimated net worth of $3 million.

Her wealth is derived from her acting career, spanning TVB dramas, Hollywood films, and television series, as well as her music releases, notably her debut album Beautiful Life.

Earnings from endorsements, her pageant background, and advocacy work with the Hong Kong Cancer Fund further contribute to her financial success.