Despite initially auditioning for the more subdued role of Nell Porter (the part ultimately went to Portia de Rossi), this stunning Asian-American actress made her name and earned an Emmy nod as domineering lawyer Ling Woo on
Ally McBeal. Although TV guest spots early in her career proved she could play meek, particularly her recurring role on
ER as the soft-spoken mother of an AIDS-stricken child, audiences preferred her feistier side. Able to inspire both dread and desire with the cock of an eyebrow, Liu fared best in big-screen supporting parts that showcased her martial-arts prowess and quirky comedic talents, like her kick-ass turns in
Kill Bill: Vol I and the
Charlie's Angels franchise.
Lucy Liu Fast Facts:
- Became the first Asian-American woman to host Saturday Night Live in 2000, the same year she started modeling for Revlon.
- Voice credits include the animated sitcoms King of the Hill, Futurama and The Simpsons.
- Plays the accordion.
- Trained in martial arts.
- Is fluent in Mandarin.
- Lucy Liu Relationships:
- Cecelia Liu - Mother
- Tom Liu - Father
- Zach Helm - Ex-fiancé
- Lucy Liu Awards:
- 1999 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- College:
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (BS in Asian Languages and Cultures, 1990); attended New York University, New York, NY
