Karen Maruyama Biography

Fast Facts

• She has taught at the American Film Institute, Disney Animation, and Universal, among others
• Studied Theater in college after previously being in the Art History and Critical Science majors
• Her first role was in the 1985 indie drama "Odd Birds․"
• Started out taking a theater class in high school and getting more involved with acting in college
• Quote: "(On being an Asian-American actress): "It's always going to be challenging, you just have to keep going․․․it has nothing to do with me being a comedian and actor, it's just about what I do․""
• Has worked as a director on the TV series "Lovespring International" and "Luke 11:17․"
• Best known for her role as Mrs․ Yao in "The Campaign" and as Nurse Shing in "The Bucket List․"
• Has done voice-over work on projects like "American Dad!," "Avatar: The Last Airbender," "Futurama," and "The Simpsons․"