Zhang Yan Yan is a Chinese actress born in Beijing to a family of performing arts. Her grandfather was one of the earliest film directors in China. Her father Zhang Guomin was an actor and taught at the Beijing Film Academy where she graduated in 1997. She launched her acting career in 1998 with her participation in the anti-drug criminal investigation drama "Myitkyina". In 2001, she became well-known for her role in the wuxia series "Mission of the Warriors". In 2003, she won the Golden Phoenix Award of the 9th China Film and Performing Arts Society.
Zhang married a Chinese-American in a low-key manner. They have a son and a daughter.