Michelle Yeoh 1st Asian to win best actress Oscar for Everything Everywhere All At Once

Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian to win an Oscars for Best Actress for role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

The 60-year-old, who already won the Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Golden Globe, is the first Malaysian and by extension the first Asian to receive an Academy Award. 

The actress first rose to prominence back in the 1990s for her work in a multiple Hong Kong action films. 

One of her earliest Western roles was in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.

This time around, Yeoh won the golden statue for her work in Everything Everywhere All At Once, where she essayed the role of Evelyn Wang, a Chinese-American immigrant. 

In her acceptance speech, the actress paid homage to her roots.

"For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities," Yeoh said while accepting the award. 

"This is proof that dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you that you are ever past your prime. Never give up."

She went on to dedicate her big award to her mom and all the moms of the world.

"They are real the superheroes, and without them, none of us will be here tonight," she said.

"Thank you to the Academy — this is history in the making! I wouldn’t be standing here tonight without the Daniels, without the amazing cast and crew [and] everyone involved with ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once,'" she said. 

"Also, my extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career. Thank you for letting me stand on your shoulders."

Everywhere All At Once was directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and was released almost a year ago. It has since then gained critical acclaim.