Maggie Q

Maggie Q
Born Margaret Denise Quigley
(1979-05-22) May 22, 1979[1]
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Residence Pound Ridge, New York
Other names Maggie D. Quigley
Occupation Actress, model, health advocate
Years active 1998–present
Partner(s) Dylan McDermott (2015–present; engaged)

Margaret Denise Quigley[2] (born May 22, 1979),[3] professionally known as Maggie Q, is an American actress, model and animal rights activist. She is known for starring in the action films Mission: Impossible III and Live Free or Die Hard and played the title role of The CW's action-thriller series Nikita, airing from 2010 to 2013. In 2014, she portrayed Tori Wu in the film adaptation of Veronica Roth's novel Divergent, a role she reprised in its sequels, Insurgent and Allegiant.[4] She starred in the role of FBI Agent Hannah Wells in the ABC political drama Designated Survivor.[5]

Early life

Q was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii.[6][7] Her father is of Irish and Polish descent[8] and her mother is a Vietnamese immigrant.[7][9] Her parents met while her father was stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.[10][11] Q has four siblings,[7] and was raised Catholic.[12]

Q attended Mililani Waena Elementary School and Wheeler Intermediate School. She then attended Mililani High School, where she was on the cross country, track and field, and swim teams. She won the title of "Best Body" senior year, and graduated in 1997.[7] She won an athletics scholarship to a private university and intended to study veterinary science. Q's family was unable to assist her financially; she left Hawaii during the summer in hopes of earning enough money so that she could start her studies in the fall.[13]

Career

Maggie Q, at the world premiere of The Warrior and the Wolf

1996–2005: Modeling and Chinese films

At the suggestion of a friend, Q began modeling in Tokyo at the age of 17, before making an unsuccessful move to Taipei, and finally trying in Hong Kong, where she started going by the name Maggie Q because the Chinese couldn't pronounce Quigley properly.[7][10][14] She has said it was not easy for her: "I had twenty bucks in my pocket. I mean, I literally did the same thing that my mother did when she left Vietnam... didn't speak the language... had no money."[9] But, it was in Hong Kong that she was selected by Jackie Chan, because he saw a potential action star. His intensive training taught her the importance of professionalism and always doing her own stunts. Q later said, "I had never done a day of martial arts in my life when I started in the business. I couldn’t even touch my toes."[10]

In 1998,[15] she started her acting career in the TV drama House of the Dragon, which was a huge hit in Asia. In 2000, Q made her film debut as Anna in the horror film Model from Hell, and went on to star as an FBI agent Jane Quigley in the action thriller Gen-Y Cops the same year. Her appearance in Gen-Y Cops impressed Jackie Chan so much that she was cast in Manhattan Midnight and Rush Hour 2.[7]

In 2002, she starred as martial artist assassin Charlene Ching in the action film Naked Weapon. In 2004 she co-starred with Kelly Hu, Russell Wong and other Asian-American actors in a 30-second PSA produced by Mark Allen for CAUSE USA (Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment), The Least Likely, encouraging Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to register and vote.[16][17][18][19] In 2005, Q played Harmony in the German-Singaporean TV mini-series House of Harmony, opposite Fann Wong. The same year she also co-produced the animal treatment documentary Earthlings narrated by Joaquin Phoenix.[20]

2006–2013: Hollywood career and Nikita

Maggie Q at Comic-Con 2013.
Lyndsy Fonseca and Maggie Q at a panel for the television series Nikita at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2010.

In 2006 Q made her Hollywood breakthrough as co-star in Mission: Impossible III alongside Tom Cruise. She played Zhen, the only female member of the IMF team. In 2007, she appeared as Mai Linh in the Bruce Willis movie Live Free or Die Hard,[7] the fourth film in the Die Hard series, and as Maggie in Balls of Fury. In 2008, Q played fictional Cao Ying, a granddaughter of the warlord Cao Cao in Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon, her first ancient Chinese costume performance. That same year, she also appeared in the drama/thriller movie Deception starring Ewan McGregor and Hugh Jackman, as Tina, an investment banker[15] who introduced Jackman's character to an exclusive anonymous sex club list. Q also stars in the video game Need for Speed: Undercover as the seductive lead character, federal agent Chase Linh, who is the player's only contact to the Tri-City Police.[21]

In 2010, Q became the lead character, an assassin gone rogue, on the CW series Nikita, based on the 1990 French film of the same name.[10] Since the premiere of Nikita, Q has been incorrectly described as the first Asian American series lead in an American television drama;[22] actress Anna May Wong is the first Asian American series lead of an American television series with her show The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong which aired 1951.[23] Q received mostly positive reviews for her role in the series.[24][25] The character was included in TV Guide's lists of "TV's Sexiest Crime Fighters" and "TV's Toughest Ladies".[26][27]

2014–present: Television work

In 2014, Q played the role of Dauntless faction member Tori Wu, in the film Divergent, the adaptation of the same-titled novel.[4] Q reprised her role in the sequel to Divergent, The Divergent Series: Insurgent, which began filming on May 27, 2014 and was released on March 20, 2015. She also starred in the CBS drama series Stalker[28] by Kevin Williamson as Detective Beth Davis along with Dylan McDermott and Mariana Klaveno.[29] The series premiered on October 1, 2014 for the 2014–15 fall television season.[30][31] The series was ordered for a full season on October 27, 2014.[32] The series however was canceled after one season, leaving the show on a cliffhanger.[33] In October 2013, Q started filming for A Conspiracy on Jekyll Island, starring alongside Frank Grillo, AnnaSophia Robb, Dianna Agron, John Leguizamo, Ed Westwick, Mary McCormack, Christopher McDonald and Minnie Driver.[34] The film is directed by Aram Rappaport and produced by Hilary Shor, Atit Shah and Aaron Becker. Jekyll Island is set to release in 2016.[35]

She reprised her role in The Divergent Series: Allegiant, the third installment of the Divergent series, which was released on March 18, 2016.[36] In February 2016, it was announced that she would co-star opposite Kiefer Sutherland in the ABC drama series Designated Survivor as Hannah Wells, a leading FBI agent.[5] She will be starring alongside Liev Schreiber, Jessica Chastain, Samantha Bond, Jaimie Alexander, Helen Hunt, Josh Henderson, Juliette Lewis and Emily Mortimer in Gladiator: Fight for Freedom.

Personal life

In January 2015, Q became engaged to her Stalker co-star Dylan McDermott.[37]

She has five tattoos: cross on her right forearm, Tibetan script and little triangle on her left forearm, African adverb on her side and one of a phoenix on her left hip, which she has had to conceal for most of her roles except Nikita.[38] Q also suffered temporary hearing loss in her right ear, when her eardrum was blown out in an explosive stunt.[39]

In 2007, she lived in Studio City, Los Angeles, California with her two (at one point, eight) rescued dogs.[7][40] She also has a house in Pound Ridge, New York.[41][42]

Activism

Q is outspoken on the subject of animal rights and has taken part in PETA Asia's campaigns promoting vegetarianism. In a PETA ad, she posed nearly nude in a bed of crimson chili peppers to spread the word that going vegetarian is the best way to "spice up your life" as well as help animals, one's health, and the environment. A second ad for PETA Asia features her wearing a bikini made entirely of strategically placed lettuce leaves next to the tagline "Turn Over a New Leaf – Try Vegetarian!"[43]

A vegetarian for many years, she has said that giving up meat is one of the most rewarding decisions she has ever made. "I feel better, I have more energy, on, and off the set, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that I'm doing something to help stop animal suffering." In 2008, Maggie Q was named PETA Asia-Pacific's "Person of the Year".[44] The same year, the organization also listed Q as one of the "Best-Dressed Celebrities" of 2008. She has since taken the step to cut all animal products from her diet by becoming a vegan.[45] PETA declared her to be one of three "Sexiest Vegans' of 2017.[46]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Model from Hell Anna Chinese: 鬼名模
Gen-Y Cops Jane Quigley Chinese: 特警新人類2
2001 Manhattan Midnight Susan/Hope
Rush Hour 2 Girl in car
2002 Naked Weapon Charlene Ching Chinese: 赤裸特工
2003 The Trouble-Makers Miss Clary Chinese: 一屋兩火
2004 Magic Kitchen May Chinese: 魔幻厨房
2004 Around the World in 80 Days Female Agent
Rice Rhapsody Gigi Chinese: 海南雞飯
2005 Taped Maggie Short film
Earthlings N/A Documentary; co-producer
Dragon Squad Yuet Chinese: 猛龍
House of Harmony Harmony Television film
2006 Mission: Impossible III Zhen Lei
2007 The Counting House Jade
Live Free or Die Hard Mai Linh
Balls of Fury Maggie Wong
2008 Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon Cao Ying Chinese: 三國之見龍卸甲
Deception Tina
New York, I Love You Janice Taylor Segment: "Yvan Attal"
2009 The Warrior and the Wolf Harran Woman Chinese: 狼灾记
2010 Operation: Endgame High Priestess
The King of Fighters Mai Shiranui
2011 Priest Priestess
2014 Divergent Tori Wu
Unity Narrator Documentary
2015 The Divergent Series: Insurgent Tori Wu
2016 The Divergent Series: Allegiant Tori Wu
2017 The Crash Hilary
Slumber Alice
2018 The Con Is On Irina
2018 Modest Heroes "Life Ain't Gonna Lose" Mom Voice
TBA Death Of Me

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1998 House of the Dragon Devine Recurring role
2002 Mission in Trouble Yeung Lan Main role; Chinese: 雄心密令
2010–13 Nikita Nikita Mears Lead role; 73 episodes
2012 Young Justice Wonder Woman Voice; Episodes: "Agendas" and "Alienated"
2014–15 Stalker Beth Davis / Michelle Webber Lead role; 20 episodes
2016–18 Designated Survivor FBI Agent Hannah Wells Main role; 35 episodes
TBA Queen of Canton Ching Shih Lead role

Video games

Year Title Role
2008 Need for Speed: Undercover Chase Linh

Music videos

Year Artist Title
2000 Chris Yu "Subway"
2002 Santana featuring Michelle Branch "The Game of Love"

As producer

Year Title Notes
2005 Earthlings co-producer
2006 Love Asia Producer
TBA Queen of Canton executive producer

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Work Result
2007 Asian Excellence Awards Supporting Film Actress Mission: Impossible III Won
2009 Hawaii International Film Festival Maverick Award The Warrior and the Wolf Won
2010 IGN Summer Movie Awards Best TV Hero Nikita Nominated
2011 Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Action Nominated
2012 IGN Summer Movie Awards Best TV Hero Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Action Nominated
2013 TV Guide Awards Best Ensemble Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Action Nominated
2014 Young Hollywood Awards Best Cast Chemistry – Film Divergent Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Monitor". Entertainment Weekly (1208). May 25, 2012. p. 21.
  2. ↑ Chozick, Amy (September 1, 2010). "'Nikita': Don't Make Maggie Q Have to Hurt You". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Maggie Q". TV Guide. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  4. 1 2 Nevets, Stephen. "New 'Divergent' Images Spotlights Massive Cast, Action Including Ashley Judd, Maggie Q". The Global Dispatch. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (5 February 2016). "'Designated Survivor' Casts Kal Penn, Maggie Q, Natascha McElhone, Italia Ricci".
  6. ↑ "The 5-minute Interview: Maggie Q, Actress". The Independent. London. October 31, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Mission Very Possible". Midweek. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Talking Mission: Impossible III with Maggie Q". MovieWeb. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Maggie Q (7/27/2010)". Lopez Tonight. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Yuan, Jada (August 22, 2010). "Hong Kong's Hit Girl". New York. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Kick ass girl". The Times. London. April 23, 2006. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Maggie Q Talks Designated Survivor, Her Engagement and Big Break!". Youtube. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  13. ↑ Brzeski, Patrick (January 19, 2011). "Maggie Q on her Hollywood success". TimeOut Hong Kong. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  14. ↑ Ito, Robert (February 8, 2007). "The Maggie Q story: Gone to Asia with an eye toward Hollywood". The New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  15. 1 2 Burke, Jodie (April 24, 2008). "Maggie Q in 'Deception'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  16. ↑ CAUSE Launches New Public Service Announcement Urging Young Asian Americas To Vote.
  17. ↑ Building Cinematic Composites: A Creative COW Magazine Extra, interview with Mark Allen.
  18. ↑ The Least Likely on Allen's YouTube channel.
  19. ↑ CAUSE USA website
  20. ↑ "Single Most Powerful Information With Professional Cast and Crew in EARTHLINGS". Nation Earth. Archived from the original on August 18, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  21. ↑ "International Box Office Sensation Maggie Q to Star in Need for Speed Undercover". teamxbox. Archived from the original on May 5, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  22. ↑ Rasul, Juliana June. "The new and improved Maggie Q". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Film reveals real-life struggles of an onscreen 'Dragon Lady'". UCLA Today. January 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  24. ↑ Stanley, Alessandra (September 7, 2010). "Lethal Woman With Weapons Is Out for Covert Vengeance". The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  25. ↑ Bianco, Robert (September 9, 2010). "'Nikita' star Maggie Q brings killer looks to killer role". USA Today. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  26. ↑ "TV's Sexiest Crime Fighters". TV Guide. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Maggie Q Pictures,Nikita Photos - Photo Gallery: TV's Toughest Ladies". TV Guide. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  28. ↑ Swift, Andy (May 9, 2014). "CBS Fall 2014 Series Orders — NCIS: New Orleans, The Odd Couple, More". TVLine. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  29. ↑ Harnick, Chris. "Maggie Q Is Coming Back to TV in a New Kevin Williamson Project—Get the Details!". E!. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  30. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (May 9, 2014). "CBS Orders 'CSI: Cyber', 'NCIS: New Orleans', 'The Odd Couple', 'Stalker', 'Madam Secretary', 'Scorpion' & 'The McCarthys'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  31. ↑ Swift, Andy (May 9, 2014). "Fall TV: CBS Orders NCIS and CSI Spin-Offs, Odd Couple, Kevin Williamson's Stalker and 4 More to Series (But Not How I Met Your Dad?)". TVLine. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  32. ↑ "CBS Gives Full Season Orders to 'Scorpion', 'Madam Secretary', 'NCIS: New Orleans' & 'Stalker'". TV by the Numbers. October 27, 2014. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  33. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (May 8, 2015). "Battle Creek, Stalker, The McCarthys Cancelled at CBS". TVLine. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  34. ↑ Justin Kroll. "'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  35. ↑ Kroll, Justin. "'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  36. ↑ "Third Book in Veronica Roth's Blockbuster Divergent Trilogy, Allegiant, Will be Produced and Released as Two Separate Rilms". Lionsgate. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  37. ↑ http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2015/01/18/Dylan-McDermott-and-Maggie-Q-get-engaged/6661421593073/?spt=sec&or=en
  38. ↑ "'Nikita': Maggie Q reveals her tattoo's origin story". Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Maggie Q". Maxim UK. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Interview with Maggie Q". CNN. November 19, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  41. ↑ Truong, Peggy (July 29, 2013). "'Nikita' Star Maggie Q Buys Historic $1.2M New York Estate". Celebuzz. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  42. ↑ Sherman, Catherine (July 30, 2013). "Maggie Q Sells Studio City Stunner for Rustic Mill House". Zillow.com. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Features | Nearly Nude Maggie Q Says, 'Spice Up Your Life - Go Vegetarian'" (Press release). PETA Asia-Pacific. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Maggie Q Named Peta's Person of the Yea". PETA Asia-Pacific. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  45. ↑ "PETA Announces the Best-Dressed Celebrities". PETA Asia-Pacific. Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  46. ↑ Daisy Murray, "PETA's 'Sexiest Vegan' List Is In, And Not Just One, But Three Women Won," ELLE, 10 July 2017.
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