Ruby Lin (Chinese: 林心如; Pinyin: Lín Xīnrú; born 27 January 1976 in Taipei, Taiwan) is a popular Taiwanese actress in TV dramas and films as well as a singer. Her English name was chosen by herself, after her mother's love of the jewel.
In the beginning, Ruby Lin made her debut in a TV commercial in Taiwan. In 1996, after several supporting roles in Taiwanese TV dramas, Ruby Lin was one of the lead actresses in the popular television series Princess Returning Pearl and its sequel, Princess Returning Pearl II, which made her tremendously popular not only in Taiwan but also all over Asia. After becoming a famous and established actress, Ruby has also begun a singing career.
Throughout her career, Ruby Lin has engaged herself in various roles, such as the sassy Jian Ning princess in Duke of Mount Deer 2000, the cruel assassin Cai Yue in Flying Daggers, the gently natured Man Zhen in Half Life Fate and 40+ years old middle-aged woman in her lastest series Ancestral Temple. In 2007, it has been said that she would like to try to get involved more in movies.

Early life

Career
After shooting her 1st TV commercial, she got the attention of various TV and film directors and many companies started soliciting her for jobs.In 1996, Ruby went to China for the first time to do filming. Ruby thinks that this was a period of valuable experience and a time that she just started to learn about acting.

Early work (1994-1996)
After playing minor roles in various series and films, Ruby was selected by Taiwanese famous writer Chiung Yao and had a camera test for a main role for the new TV drama. In 1997, Ruby surged to the top as an emanating star through her well-loved "Princess Ziwei" role in the TV series Princess Returning Pearl, appealing to mass audiences throughout mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Originally, Chiung Yao arranged for Ruby Lin to play the role of "Sai Ya", but as the actress who was originally arranged to play the main role could not participate, the production team re-shuffled all the actresses again. After some tests by the company, they discovered that Ruby's makings were more suitable for "Zi Wei", and immediately made the final decision.

Growing up (1997-2001)
From 2002, ruby focused on her career in mainland China. In 2002, Ruby starred in 3 series - Half Life Fate, Boy and Girl and Flying Daggers. Ruby was selected as the main actress in the TV version of Half Life Fate(adapted from Zhang Ailing's novel Eighteen Springs) The film version of Half Life Fate (film) was directed by Ann Hui, a well-known director in Asia. For Ruby, it was a challenging role; therefore the pressure was especially huge.
Ruby's hard work yielded unexpected results. Ruby's daring performance escalated her fame and earned her many accolades for capturing her screen character Man Zhen's 14 years of an arduous life. This series broadcasted in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and even in South Korea, and Da Li Princess. For her role in Paris Sonata, ruby should learn how to playing piano before filming during more than 2 months. Following her performance in Paris Sonata, Ruby selected TV drama Sound of Colors in a remake of Jimmy Liao's illustration as her next work, portrayed a blind radio DJ. Ruby's performance as blind girl got many favorable comment from audiences, even some news report and reviews mention this is one of the best acting among her previous work. This drama already finished broadcast in many counties including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam and USA. Other 2 television series Star Boulevard and Da Li Princess which is expected to be released in Jan 2007.

Stardom (2002-2005)
On June 6, 2006, Ruby Lin won the Honorable Award of Taiwan's Most Popular Actress in the The 2nd Chinese TV Drama Award

Preparing New Start (2006-present)
In 1999, Ruby Lin entered the music industry with her first EP, Hearings. Although it had only five songs, the EP sold well in Hong Kong and Taiwan, earning Lin several awards in Hong Kong, including "Best Newcomer of the Year."At the end of 2004, Lin's contract with BMG expired. After being approached by several labels, she did not sign a record contract till the end of 2006. According to Lin's new management company, a new album will be released in 2007, but it is not yet known which music company she will work with.

Music

Love Affair & Friendship
Ruby Lin is very concered about charity activities. She has been actively involved in projects for various causes. From 2005, Ruby Lin is the spokeperson for fashion company XUEZHU, company and Ruby Lin set up a fund to help poor people who live various small cities in China. And she was participated many of charity events and concert included the "Jackie Chan and Friends" concert in 2005.

Charity work
"Each actor who cooperated with me, would afterwards shout loudly, "I have been deceived!" My screen image and & real-life image are completely different, they all said that I'm like a guy. When looking at the script they can fantasize, but when they see me, they don't fantasize anymore." (June, 2003 Chinatimes)
"If talking about the beginning, was very raw, didn't know too many things. Now, can say that I'm slowly adapting to a life in this business. I'm a person who needs a sense of freshness. It's to say to seek something new from the roles. I treat work very diligently. This perhaps is my biggest strong point." (April, 2004 Henan News)
"Even though there are a lot of people who still call me ziwei, but I don't mind. And not afraid of being typ-casted because will have different changes at each age level & each stage in life. Perhaps afterwards would do some sort of a series/movie, might again have another title." (July, 2004 Bazzar magazine)
"I also hope that everyone can go forth w/ their dreams, don't let yourself to have opportunity for regrets." (April, 2005 @live)
"I think that if actors want the audience to remember, then you must have your own style and characteristics. I'm also working diligently to create my own style." (Nov, 2005 Dushi Shi Bao)
"I think that a similar role can be performed in 100 different ways, along with age, experience, the feeling towards life and the understanding of life deepens, the presentation of that feeling is different" (July, 2006 Life Style)

Personal quotes
Alec Su Princess Pearl part 1 (1997), Princess Pearl part 2 (1999), Romance in the Rain (2001), Winner Takes All (2000), Taiji Prodigy (2002), Magic Touch of Fate (2005)
Nicholas Tse The Mirror (2000), Comic King (2001)
Patrick Tam Yiu Man Duke of Mount Deer 2000 (2000), Half Life Fate (2003)
Richie Ren The New Adventures of CLH (2002), Life Express (2002)
Zhou Jie Princess Pearl part 1 (1997), Princess Pearl part 2 (1999)
Dicky Cheung Duke of Mount Deer 2000 (2000), Taiji Prodigy (2002)
Lu Yi (actor) Boy and Girl (2003)
Chen Kun Only-You (2002)
Lee-Hom Wang China Strike Force (2001)
Julian Cheung Comic King (2001), Flying Daggers (2003)
Wallace Huo Sound of Colors (2006)

Male co-stars

Filmography

TV drama

Films

Books (Pictorial album & Diary)

Discography

Released: October 1, 1999
Language: Mandarin, Cantonese
Lebel: Mei Ah Ltd
Genre: Single album
Released: March 2001
Language: Mandarin
Lebel: BMG Ltd (Hong Kong)
Released: March 16, 2001
Language: Mandarin, Cantonese
Lebel: BMG Ltd (Hong Kong)
2nd Edition
Released: April 1, 2004
Language: Mandarin
Lebel: BMG Ltd (Hong Kong)
TV drama OST
Released: October 14, 2004
Language: Mandarin
Lebel: BMG Ltd (Hong Kong)
New + Best Selection Album

1999: Princess Returning Pearl Original Soundtrack (还珠格格音乐全记录)
2004: Amor De Tarapaca Original Soundtrack (紫藤戀電視劇原) Soundtracks

LHS Fashion (2002~2007)
D&D Jewelry (1999~2005)
ACAP Wild Aid - Rhino Ambassador (2004~2006)
VOV Cosmetics (2006~2007)
Sofie Pantiliners (2002~2005)
Pantene Shampoo (2003~2006)
Coca Cola (2000)
Mentholatum lip ice (2000~2002)
ESPRIT edc (2001)
CIBA Vision FreshLook Contact Lens (2002~2003)
Christain Dior Watch (2006~2007)
China Mobile (2007) Awards

During March and April 2006, Ruby hosted Taiwan CTI TV show "Kang Yong Dang Jia"(康永當家) 9 times. This is first time for participated variety shows as hostess.
In November 2006, Ruby Lin opened a restaurant in Da Li, Yunnan, "心如悦".
May 2006, Ruby Lin starts to manage her own personal blog in one of the biggest site 'sina' in China.
Languages: Mandarin, Taiwanese, English, Cantonese
Ruby Lin's hobbies include sleeping, writing and watching TV. She is enjoys both singing and acting in plays. Ruby especially likes Japanese food because it contains low calories. What she wants to do is to study abroad and pay a visit to New Zealand. When talking about her personality, Ruby thinks herself as a forthright and sincere person. Her parents hope that Ruby will continue her studies again.