Maggie Q

Maggie Q, born Margaret Denise Quigley, is an actress, activist, and former fashion model known for her work in action films and television. After leaving Hawaii to pursue modeling, Quigley established her career in Hong Kong, where she met Jackie Chan. Under Chan's mentorship, she received training in martial arts and stunts, leading to her first major roles in action cinema. Quigley is recognized for performing her own stunts throughout her career.

She began her professional acting career in Hong Kong with starring roles in the action films "Gen-Y Cops" and "Naked Weapon." Quigley later appeared in American productions including "Mission: Impossible III," "Live Free or Die Hard," "Priest," and "The Protégé." Her role in "Mission: Impossible III" marked her breakthrough in Hollywood action films. Quigley gained further recognition as the lead in The CW's action-thriller series "Nikita," where she played the title character, a former assassin seeking justice against a covert organization. This role marked a significant moment for Asian American representation in broadcast drama series.

Quigley continued her television career with leading roles in the CBS series "Stalker" and as FBI Agent Hannah Wells in the political thriller "Designated Survivor" on ABC. In film, she appeared in "Priest" and the "Divergent" series as Tori Wu. She returned to action cinema with "The Protégé," co-starring with Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson. Quigley also starred as Detective Renée Ballard in Amazon Prime Video's "Ballard" spinoff, a character introduced in Michael Connelly's novel The Late Show.

Beyond her acting career, Quigley is an advocate for animal rights, plant-based living, and environmental causes. She serves as a board member of Social Compassion in Legislation, a policy advocacy group focused on animal welfare laws in California. Her activism has been recognized by organizations including the City of Los Angeles, the State Senate of California, the California Assembly, PETA, and Wild Aid. PETA Asia-Pacific named Quigley its Person of the Year. She is also the founder of QEEP UP, an apparel brand using recycled materials, and ActivatedYou, a nutrition and wellness company. As an Asian American actress who has contributed to increased representation in Hollywood, Quigley is regarded as a multifaceted figure in entertainment and advocacy.