Michiko Nishiwaki

Michiko Nishiwaki (西脇 美智子, Nishiwaki Michiko, born November 21, 1957) is a Japanese actress and stunt woman, martial artist, fight choreographer, and former female bodybuilder and powerlifter. She performed the high-risk stunts as a double for Lucy Liu in the film Charlie's Angels.

Early life

Michiko Nishiwaki was born in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. As a teenager growing up in Tokyo, she was interested in gymnastics and volleyball. She became interested in bodybuilding when she grew dissatisfied with her body image, regarding her legs as too heavy compared to her upper body.[1] Another turning point was her father's death, which motivated her to have her own say in the planning of her future.[2]

Career

Sports

Unusual for Japanese society at the time, Nishiwaki became a powerlifter and eventually Japan's first female powerlifting champion and first female bodybuilding champion. She opened three fitness clubs co-owned by her brother.[2]

Feature films

Her acting career began in the 1985 Hong Kong martial arts/comedy film My Lucky Stars, in which she played a Japanese fighter. Her performance caught the attention of Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. She also appeared in films such as The Line of Duty III in 1988, City Cops, Princess Madam, and God of Gamblers in 1989. She was quickly typecast, playing villains and femme fatales in most of her Hong Kong films. At times she did not use a word of dialogue, since she could not speak Cantonese well at the time. After returning to Japan, she went to Thailand to star in Whore and the Policewoman in 1993. She appeared in the 1999 film Man on the Moon, starring Jim Carrey, and did stunts for Hollywood films such as Red Corner, Blade, Charlie's Angels, and Rush Hour 2.

Nishiwaki married in 1996[3] and subsequently moved to Moorpark, California, where she was living with her husband and son as of the middle of October 2013.

Filmography

Acting Credits

  • My Lucky Stars (1985) - Japanese Fighter
  • Jikuu Senshi Spielban (Dimensional Warrior Spielban) (1986, TV Series) - Rikkî
  • Ojôsan tantei Tokimeki renpatsu! (Young Lady Detectives: Heart Beat!) (1987) - Misao Matsuda
  • In the Line of Duty III (1988) - Michiko Nishiwaki
  • Tie dan xiong feng (Live Hard) (1989) - Lily
  • Miao tan shuang long (City Cops) (1989) - Michiko
  • God of Gamblers (1989) - Ko Chun's female Yakuza opponent
  • Time Burst: The Final Alliance (1989)
  • Hu dan nu er gang (Widow Warriors) (1990) - Chieko
  • Outlaw Brothers (1990) - Miego
  • Magic Cop (1990) - The Sorceress
  • Dragon Fighter (Hard to Kill) (1990)
  • The Best of the Martial Arts Films (1990) - Herself (archive footage)
  • The Real Me (1991)
  • Se jiang (Witchcraft vs. Curse) (1991) - Simol
  • Sing je wai wong (The Mighty Gambler) (1992) - Joyce Huang (Mainlander)
  • Yin yao hao qing (Hero Dream aka Naked Huntress) (1992) - Yi
  • Hong tin huang jia jiang (Angel Terminators) (1992) - Miss Nishiwaki
  • Yun yu di liu gan (Passionate Killing in the Dream) (1992) - Sha Sha Lee
  • Pi li bao zuo (1992)
  • Huo bao da quan zi (Big Circle Blues) (1992) - Kwan Show-Yun
  • Ba hai hong ying (The Avenging Quartet) (1993) - Sen
  • Fatal Seduction (1993)
  • Ging fa yu lau ang (Whore and Policewoman) (1993) - Nancy Cheng
  • City on Fire (1993) - Chia-Chi
  • Top Fighter 2 (1996) - Herself (archive footage)
  • Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
  • Man on the Moon (1999) - Female Karate Fighter (uncredited)
  • Ghost Rock (2003) - Hana

Stunt / Stunt Double appearances

Notes and references
  1. "From Crunch Princess to Action Diva". Hong Kong Cinema. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  2. "Michiko Nishiwaki". Cult Sirens. 2004. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  3. "Clark County, NV Public Records". Clark County Recorder's Office. Retrieved 2009-09-03.
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