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| name = Lucy Liu
| name = Lucy Liu
| image = Lucy Liu crop.jpg
| image = Lucy Liu crop.jpg
| caption = Lucy Liu, 2007
| caption = Lucy Liu at the 2007 premiere of ''[[Watching the Detectives (film)|Watching the Detectives]]''
| tradchinesename = 劉玉玲
| tradchinesename = 劉玉玲
| simpchinesename = 刘玉玲
| simpchinesename = 刘玉玲
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}}
}}


'''Lucy Alexis Liu''' (born December 2, 1968) is an [[United States|American]] actress. She became known for her role in the television series ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' (1998–2002) as the vicious and ill mannered [[Ling Woo]], and has also appeared in several notable film roles, including ''[[Charlie's Angels (film)|Charlie's Angels]]'', ''[[Kill Bill]]'' and ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]''.
'''Lucy Alexis Liu''' (born December 2, 1968) is an [[United States|American]] actress. This is known for appearing in the television series ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' (1998–2002), where he played the vicious and ill mannered [[Ling Woo]], for his performance won a [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]], in addition, Liu has appeared in notable films as ''[[Charlie's Angels (film)|Charlie's Angels]]'' (2000) and its sequel ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]'', along with [[Cameron Diaz]] and [[Drew Barrymore]], ''[[Chicago (2002 film)|Chicago]]'' (2002), ''[[Kill Bill]]'' (2003), ''[[3 Needles]]'' (2005), ''[[Lucky Number Slevin]]'' (2006), ''[[Rise: Blood Hunter]]'' (2007) and ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]'' (2008).


==Early life==
==Early life==
Lucy Liu was born and was raised with her brother, John Liu, in [[Jackson Heights, Queens]], [[New York]] by [[Taiwanese People|Taiwanese]] immigrant parents.<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/lucy-liu--an-agent-of-change-855072.html</ref><ref name="Liu5">{{cite news | last =Roberts| first =Sheila| coauthors=| title =Lucy Liu Interview, CodeName The Cleaner| pages=| publisher =Movies Online| date =2006-12-21 | url =http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_10807.html| accessdate =2006-12-21 }}</ref> Liu has said that she grew up in a "diverse" neighborhood.<ref name="Liu5" /> Her family spoke [[Mandarin (linguistics)|Mandarin]] at home and she did not learn [[English language|English]] until she was five years old.<ref name="Liu4">{{cite news | last =Radish| first =Christina| coauthors=| title =Lucy Liu and Shawn Ashmore Talk about "3 Needles"| pages=| publisher =MediaBlvd Magazine| date =2006-12-06 | url =http://www.mediablvd.com/magazine/the_news/celebrity/lucy_liu_and_shawn_ashmore_talk_about_%273_needles%27_20061206319.html| accessdate =2006-12-21 }}</ref> Her father, Tom, was a [[civil engineer]] and her mother, Cecilia, a [[biochemist]],<ref>[http://www.filmreference.com/film/75/Lucy-Liu.html Lucy Liu Biography (1968-)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> but they sacrificed those careers in Taiwan to come to the United States. Liu, at her parents' insistence, devoted her spare time to studying. She attended the Joseph Pulitzer Middle School (I.S.145) and she graduated from New York City's prestigious [[Stuyvesant High School]] in 1986.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E5D7133FF930A25753C1A9659C8B63 |title=The Perks and Pitfalls Of a Ruthless-Killer Role; Lucy Liu Boosts the Body Count in New Film |first=Lola |last=Ogunnaike |date=2003-10-13 |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=2007-11-01}}</ref> She attended [[New York University]] for one year, before transferring to the [[University of Michigan]] where she joined the [[Chi Omega]] sorority and graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in Asian Languages and Cultures.<ref name="Liu5" /> At one point, Liu worked as a [[Waiting staff|waitress]] in Michigan.<ref name="Liu5" />
Lucy Liu was born and was raised with her brother, John Liu, in [[Jackson Heights, Queens]], [[New York]] by [[Taiwanese People|Taiwanese]] immigrant parents.<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/lucy-liu--an-agent-of-change-855072.html</ref><ref name="Liu5">{{cite news | last =Roberts| first =Sheila| coauthors=| title =Lucy Liu Interview, CodeName The Cleaner| pages=| publisher =Movies Online| date =2006-12-21 | url =http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_10807.html| accessdate =2006-12-21 }}</ref> Liu has said that she grew up in a "diverse" neighborhood.<ref name="Liu5" /> Her family spoke [[Mandarin (linguistics)|Mandarin]] at home and she did not learn [[English language|English]] until she was five years old.<ref name="Liu4">{{cite news | last =Radish| first =Christina| coauthors=| title =Lucy Liu and Shawn Ashmore Talk about "3 Needles"| pages=| publisher =MediaBlvd Magazine| date =2006-12-06 | url =http://www.mediablvd.com/magazine/the_news/celebrity/lucy_liu_and_shawn_ashmore_talk_about_%273_needles%27_20061206319.html| accessdate =2006-12-21 }}</ref> Her father, Tom, was a [[civil engineer]] and her mother, Cecilia, a [[biochemist]],<ref>[http://www.filmreference.com/film/75/Lucy-Liu.html Lucy Liu Biography (1968-)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> but they sacrificed those careers in Taiwan to come to the United States. Liu, at her parents' insistence, devoted her spare time to studying. She attended the Joseph Pulitzer Middle School (I.S.145) and she graduated from New York City's prestigious [[Stuyvesant High School]] in 1986.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E5D7133FF930A25753C1A9659C8B63 |title=The Perks and Pitfalls Of a Ruthless-Killer Role; Lucy Liu Boosts the Body Count in New Film |first=Lola |last=Ogunnaike |date=2003-10-13 |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=2007-11-01}}</ref> She attended [[New York University]] for one year, before transferring to the [[University of Michigan]] where she joined the [[Chi Omega]] sorority and graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in Asian Languages and Cultures.<ref name="Liu5" /> At one point, Liu worked as a [[Waiting staff|waitress]] in Michigan.<ref name="Liu5" />


==Career==
==Early Career==
Liu began acting in 1989, after auditioning for a role in the University of Michigan's production of ''[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|Alice in Wonderland]]'' during her senior year. Liu was cast in the lead role, although she had originally only tried out for a supporting part.<ref name="Liu5" /> Liu had small roles in films and TV (including ''[[The X-Files]]'' in "[[Hell Money]]" and ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'' in "[[The March to Freedom]]") before landing a role on ''[[Ally McBeal]]''. Liu originally auditioned for the role of 'Nelle Porter' (played by [[Portia de Rossi]]), and the character '[[Ling Woo]]' was later created specifically for her. Liu's part on the series was originally not meant to be regular but the enthusiastic audience response to the actress' 'feisty' Ling Woo secured Liu as a permanent cast member. It also earned her an [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, as well as a [[Screen Actors Guild]] Award nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.<ref name="Liu5" /> Liu cemented her reputation playing bad girls by portraying "Pearl" the sadistic [[dominatrix]]/[[hitman|hitwoman]] for the Chinese mafia in the film ''[[Payback (film)|Payback]]'' (1999).
Liu began acting in 1989, after auditioning for a role in the University of Michigan's production of ''[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|Alice in Wonderland]]'' during her senior year. Liu was cast in the lead role, although she had originally only tried out for a supporting part.<ref name="Liu5" /> Liu had small roles in films and TV (including ''[[The X-Files]]'' in "[[Hell Money]]" and ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'' in "[[The March to Freedom]]") before landing a role on ''[[Ally McBeal]]''. Liu originally auditioned for the role of 'Nelle Porter' (played by [[Portia de Rossi]]), and the character '[[Ling Woo]]' was later created specifically for her. Liu's part on the series was originally not meant to be regular but the enthusiastic audience response to the actress' 'feisty' Ling Woo secured Liu as a permanent cast member. It also earned her an [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, as well as a [[Screen Actors Guild]] Award nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.<ref name="Liu5" /> Liu cemented her reputation playing bad girls by portraying "Pearl" the sadistic [[dominatrix]]/[[hitman|hitwoman]] for the Chinese mafia in the film ''[[Payback (film)|Payback]]'' (1999).


==Success (2000–2006)==
Liu played Alex Munday in the ''[[Charlie's Angels (film)|Charlie's Angels]]'' film, alongside established Hollywood stars [[Drew Barrymore]] and [[Cameron Diaz]]. The film opened in November 2000 and was a hit, earning more than $125 million in the U.S., and a worldwide total of more than $264 million. The sequel, ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]'', opened in June 2003 and was a box-office hit again, earning more than $100 million in the U.S., and a worldwide total of more than $259 million. In between the two films, Liu starred with [[Antonio Banderas]] in ''[[Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever]]'', a critical and [[box office]] failure.
Liu played Alex Munday in the ''[[Charlie's Angels (film)|Charlie's Angels]]'' film, alongside established Hollywood stars [[Drew Barrymore]] and [[Cameron Diaz]]. The film opened in November 2000 and was a hit, earning more than $125 million in the U.S., and a worldwide total of more than $264 million. The sequel, ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]'', opened in June 2003 and was a box-office hit again, earning more than $100 million in the U.S., and a worldwide total of more than $259 million. In between the two films, Liu starred with [[Antonio Banderas]] in ''[[Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever]]'', a critical and [[box office]] failure.


Liu next played [[List of Kill Bill characters#O-Ren Ishii/Cottonmouth|O-Ren Ishii]], one of the major villains in [[Quentin Tarantino]]'s 2003 film, ''[[Kill Bill]]''. She won an [[MTV Movie Awards|MTV Movie Award]] for "Best Movie Villain" for the part. Subsequently, Liu appeared on several episodes of ''[[Joey (TV series)|Joey]]'' with [[Matt LeBlanc]], who played her love interest in the ''Charlie's Angels'' movies. She also had smaller roles as Kitty Baxter in the film ''[[Chicago (2002 film)|Chicago]]'', and as a psychologist opposite [[Keira Knightley]] in the thriller ''[[Domino (film)|Domino]]''. In 2006, she played leading lady and love interest to [[Josh Hartnett]] in the crime thriller ''[[Lucky Number Slevin]]''. Other appearances include a cameo on the animated shows ''[[Futurama]]'' (as herself and/or robot duplicates thereof in the episodes "[[I Dated a Robot]]" and "[[Love and Rocket]]" and ''[[The Simpsons]]'' (on the season sixteen episode "[[Goo Goo Gai Pan]]"), a guest host on an episode of the NBC sketch show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in 2000 (musical guest" Jay-Z), and the voice of [[SSX TAe kayo
Liu next played [[List of Kill Bill characters#O-Ren Ishii/Cottonmouth|O-Ren Ishii]], one of the major villains in [[Quentin Tarantino]]'s 2003 film, ''[[Kill Bill]]''. She won an [[MTV Movie Awards|MTV Movie Award]] for "Best Movie Villain" for the part. Subsequently, Liu appeared on several episodes of ''[[Joey (TV series)|Joey]]'' with [[Matt LeBlanc]], who played her love interest in the ''Charlie's Angels'' movies. She also had smaller roles as Kitty Baxter in the film ''[[Chicago (2002 film)|Chicago]]'', and as a psychologist opposite [[Keira Knightley]] in the thriller ''[[Domino (film)|Domino]]''. In 2006, she played leading lady and love interest to [[Josh Hartnett]] in the crime thriller ''[[Lucky Number Slevin]]''. Other appearances include a cameo on the animated shows ''[[Futurama]]'' (as herself and/or robot duplicates thereof in the episodes "[[I Dated a Robot]]" and "[[Love and Rocket]]" and ''[[The Simpsons]]'' (on the season sixteen episode "[[Goo Goo Gai Pan]]"), a guest host on an episode of the NBC sketch show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in 2000 (musical guest" Jay-Z), and the voice of [[SSX TAe kayo
Her film ''[[3 Needles]]'' was released on December 1, 2006. In the film, she plays Jin Ping, an [[HIV]]-positive Chinese woman. Liu agreed to star in the film for lower than usual pay because she wanted to spread awareness about the way [[AIDS]] is improperly treated in China and [[Thailand]].<ref name="Liu3">{{cite news | last =| first =| coauthors=| title =Liu Shocked by Ridiculous Chinese AIDS 'Cures' | pages=| publisher =Contact Music| date =2006-11-29 | url =http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/liu%20shocked%20by%20ridiculous%20chinese%20aids%20cures_1014964| accessdate =2006-11-29 }}</ref> Liu's other recent roles, which met with less success, but later gain [[cult following]]s among her fans, include ''[[Code Name: The Cleaner]]'', an action comedy released January 5, 2007; ''[[Rise: Blood Hunter|Rise]]'', a supernatural thriller co-starring [[Michael Chiklis]] in which Liu plays an undead reporter<ref name="Liu4" /> (for which she was ranked number forty-one on "Top 50 Sexiest Vampires");<ref> url=http://www.ugo.com/lifestyle/sexy-vampires/?cur=sadie-blake&morepics=1 </ref> and ''[[Watching the Detectives (film)|Watching the Detectives]]'', an independent romantic comedy co-starring [[Cillian Murphy]]. Liu has also signed on to star in a new version of ''[[Charlie Chan]]'' which has been in pre-production since 2000; she will produce both films.<ref name="Liu5" />
Her film ''[[3 Needles]]'' was released on December 1, 2006. In the film, she plays Jin Ping, an [[HIV]]-positive Chinese woman. Liu agreed to star in the film for lower than usual pay because she wanted to spread awareness about the way [[AIDS]] is improperly treated in China and [[Thailand]].<ref name="Liu3">{{cite news | last =| first =| coauthors=| title =Liu Shocked by Ridiculous Chinese AIDS 'Cures' | pages=| publisher =Contact Music| date =2006-11-29 | url =http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/liu%20shocked%20by%20ridiculous%20chinese%20aids%20cures_1014964| accessdate =2006-11-29 }}</ref>
==Recent work (2007–present)==
Liu's other recent roles, which met with less success, but later gain [[cult following]]s among her fans, include ''[[Code Name: The Cleaner]]'', an action comedy released January 5, 2007; ''[[Rise: Blood Hunter|Rise]]'', a supernatural thriller co-starring [[Michael Chiklis]] in which Liu plays an undead reporter<ref name="Liu4" /> (for which she was ranked number forty-one on "Top 50 Sexiest Vampires");<ref> url=http://www.ugo.com/lifestyle/sexy-vampires/?cur=sadie-blake&morepics=1 </ref> and ''[[Watching the Detectives (film)|Watching the Detectives]]'', an independent romantic comedy co-starring [[Cillian Murphy]]. Liu has also signed on to star in a new version of ''[[Charlie Chan]]'' which has been in pre-production since 2000; she will produce both films.<ref name="Liu5" />


Liu has guest starred as lawyer Grace Chin on ''[[Ugly Betty]]'' in the episodes [[Derailed (Ugly Betty)|"Derailed"]] and "[[Icing on the Cake]]". In a 2001 episode of ''[[Sex and the City]]'' entitled "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda" she guest starred as herself, playing a new client of character Samantha Jones, who does public relations. She stars in the ''[[Sex and the City]]'' inspired TV show, ''[[Cashmere Mafia]]'' on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. In 2007, [[Empire (magazine)|Empire magazine]] named her among the "100 Sexiest Movie Stars".<ref name=empire>[http://www.empireonline.com/100sexiest/default.asp?star=96 EimpireOnline.com EmpireOnline.com, 100 Sexiest Movie Stars.]</ref>
Liu has guest starred as lawyer Grace Chin on ''[[Ugly Betty]]'' in the episodes [[Derailed (Ugly Betty)|"Derailed"]] and "[[Icing on the Cake]]". In a 2001 episode of ''[[Sex and the City]]'' entitled "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda" she guest starred as herself, playing a new client of character Samantha Jones, who does public relations. She stars in the ''[[Sex and the City]]'' inspired TV show, ''[[Cashmere Mafia]]'' on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. In 2007, [[Empire (magazine)|Empire magazine]] named her among the "100 Sexiest Movie Stars".<ref name=empire>[http://www.empireonline.com/100sexiest/default.asp?star=96 EimpireOnline.com EmpireOnline.com, 100 Sexiest Movie Stars.]</ref>
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! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes
⚫
|-
⚫
| 1991 || ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]'' || Courtney || Episode: "[[List of Beverly Hills, 90210 episodes|Pass, Not Pass]]"
|-
|-
| 1992 || ''Rhythm of Destiny'' || Donna || [[Cinema of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] film
| 1992 || ''Rhythm of Destiny'' || Donna || [[Cinema of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] film
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| 1993 || ''Protozoa'' || Ari ||
| 1993 || ''Protozoa'' || Ari ||
|-
|-
| 1995 || ''[[Bang (film)|Bang]]'' || Hooker ||
| rowspan="2"| 1995 || ''[[Bang (film)|Bang]]'' || Hooker ||
⚫
|-
| ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' || Mei-Sun Leow || Episodes: "[[List of ER episodes|Do One, Teach One, Kill One]]", "[[List of ER episodes|What Life?]]" and "[[List of ER episodes|And Baby Makes Two]]"
|-
|-
| 1996 || ''[[Jerry Maguire]]'' || Former Girlfriend ||
| 1996 || ''[[Jerry Maguire]]'' || Former Girlfriend ||
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| ''Guy'' || Woman at newsstand ||
| ''Guy'' || Woman at newsstand ||
|-
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Love Kills (film)|Love Kills]]'' || Kashi ||
| rowspan="2"| 1998 || ''[[Love Kills (film)|Love Kills]]'' || Kashi ||
⚫
|-
| ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' || Ling Woo || (1998–2003) 72 episodes<br>[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]]<br>Nominated – [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]]<br>Nominated – [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series]]<br>Nominated – [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series]]<br>Nominated – [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series]]
|-
|-
|rowspan="5"| 1999 || ''[[Payback (film)|Payback]]'' || Pearl ||
|rowspan="5"| 1999 || ''[[Payback (film)|Payback]]'' || Pearl ||
|-
|-
| ''[[True Crime (1999 film)|True Crime]]'' || Toy Shop Girl ||
| ''[[True Crime (1999 film)|True Crime]]'' || Toy Shop Girl ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Molly (film)|Molly]]'' || Brenda ||
| ''[[Molly (film)|Molly]]'' || Brenda ||
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| ''[[The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human]]'' || Lydia ||
| ''[[The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human]]'' || Lydia ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Play It to the Bone]]'' || Lia ||
| ''[[Play It to the Bone]]'' || Lia ||
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2000 || ''[[Shanghai Noon]]'' || Princess Pei Pei ||
|rowspan="2"| 2000 || ''[[Shanghai Noon]]'' || Princess Pei Pei || [[Blockbuster Entertainment Award|Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress - Action]]
|-
|-
| ''[[Charlie's Angels (film)|Charlie's Angels]]'' || Alex Munday || [[MTV Movie Award|MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team]] <small>(shared with [[Cameron Diaz]] and [[Drew Barrymore]])</small><br>[[Blockbuster Entertainment Award|Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Action Team]] <small>(shared with [[Cameron Diaz]] and [[Drew Barrymore]])</small><br>Nominated – [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress]]<br>Nominated – [[MTV Movie Award|MTV Movie Award for Best Dressed]]
| ''[[Charlie's Angels (film)|Charlie's Angels]]'' || Alex Munday ||
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Hotel (2001 film)|Hotel]]'' || Kawikar ||
| 2001 || ''[[Hotel (2001 film)|Hotel]]'' || Kawikar ||
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|rowspan="3"| 2002 || ''[[Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever]]'' || Agent Sever ||
|rowspan="3"| 2002 || ''[[Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever]]'' || Agent Sever ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Cypher (film)|Cypher]]'' || Rita Foster ||
| ''[[Cypher (film)|Cypher]]'' || Rita Foster ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Chicago (2002 film)|Chicago]]'' || Kitty Baxter || [[Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast]]<br>[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture]]<br>Nominated – [[Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast]]<br>Nominated – [[Teen Choice Awards|Teen Choice Awards for Choice Movie Hissy Fit]]
| ''[[Chicago (2002 film)|Chicago]]'' || Kitty Baxter ||
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2003 || ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]'' || Alex Munday ||
|rowspan="2"| 2003 || ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]'' || Alex Munday || Nominated – [[MTV Movie Award|MTV Movie Award for Best Dance Sequence]]
|-
|-
| ''[[Kill Bill|Kill Bill: Vol. 1]]'' || O-Ren Ishii ||
| ''[[Kill Bill|Kill Bill: Vol. 1]]'' || O-Ren Ishii || [[MTV Movie Award|MTV Movie Award for Best Villain]]<br>Nominated – [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress]]
|-
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Mulan II]]'' || Mei (voice) ||
| 2004 || ''[[Mulan II]]'' || Mei (voice) ||
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2005 || ''[[3 Needles]]'' || Jin Ping, the Blood Smuggler ||
|rowspan="3"| 2005 || ''[[3 Needles]]'' || Jin Ping, the Blood Smuggler ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Domino (film)|Domino]]'' || Taryn Miles ||
| ''[[Domino (film)|Domino]]'' || Taryn Miles ||
⚫
|-
⚫
| ''[[The Simpsons]]'' || Madam Wu (voice) || Episode: "[[List of The Simpsons episodes|Goo Goo Gai Pan]]"
|-
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Lucky Number Slevin]]'' || Lindsey ||
| 2006 || ''[[Lucky Number Slevin]]'' || Lindsey ||
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2007 || ''[[Code Name: The Cleaner]]'' || Gina || Also executive producer
|rowspan="3"| 2007 || ''[[Code Name: The Cleaner]]'' || Gina || Also executive producer
|-
|-
| ''[[Rise: Blood Hunter]]'' || Sadie Blake ||
| ''[[Rise: Blood Hunter]]'' || Sadie Blake ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Ugly Betty]]'' || Grace Chin || Episodes: "[[List of Ugly Betty episodes|Derailed]]" and "[[List of Ugly Betty episodes|Icing on the Cake]]"
⚫
|rowspan="4"| 2008 ||''[[Watching the Detectives (film)|Watching the Detectives]]'' || Violet ||
⚫
|-
⚫
|rowspan="6"| 2008 ||''[[Watching the Detectives (film)|Watching the Detectives]]'' || Violet ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]'' || Master Viper (voice) ||
| ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]'' || Master Viper (voice) ||
Line 122: Line 136:
|-
|-
| ''[[Tinker Bell (film)|Tinker Bell]]'' || Silvermist (voice) ||
| ''[[Tinker Bell (film)|Tinker Bell]]'' || Silvermist (voice) ||
⚫
|-
⚫
| ''[[Dirty Sexy Money]]'' || Nola Lyons || (2008–2009) 13 episodes; Season 2
⚫
|-
⚫
| ''[[Cashmere Mafia]]'' || Mia Mason || 7 episodes
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2009 || ''[[Afro Samurai: Resurrection|Afro Samurai Resurrection]]'' || Sio (voice) ||
|rowspan="2"| 2009 || ''[[Afro Samurai: Resurrection|Afro Samurai Resurrection]]'' || Sio (voice) ||
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| ''[[Nomads (2010 film)|Nomads]]'' || unknown || ''Post-production''
| ''[[Nomads (2010 film)|Nomads]]'' || unknown || ''Post-production''
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2011 || ''[[Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom]]'' || Master Viper (voice) || ''Announced''
| 2011 || ''[[Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom]]'' || Master Viper (voice) || ''Announced''
⚫
|-
| ''Tinker Bell: A Winter Story'' || Silvermist (voice) || ''Post-production''
⚫
|-
| ''The Thousand Deaths of Anna May Wong' || Anna May Wong || ''Announced''
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" border="2" cellpadding="4" background: #f9f9f9;
|- align="center"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes
⚫
|-
| 1998–2002 || ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' || Ling Woo || 72 episodes; Seasons 2 to 5(1st half)
⚫
|-
⚫
| 2008 || ''[[Cashmere Mafia]]'' || Mia Mason || 7 episodes
⚫
|-
⚫
| 2008–2009 || ''[[Dirty Sexy Money]]'' || Nola Lyons || 13 episodes; Season 2
|}

=== TV guest appearances ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" border="2" cellpadding="4" background: #f9f9f9;
|- align="center"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes
|-
⚫
| 1991 || ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]'' || Courtney || 1 episode
⚫
|-
| 1993 || ''[[L.A. Law]]'' || Mai Lin || 1 episode
⚫
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Coach (TV series)|Coach]]'' || Nicole Wong || 2 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1995 || ''[[Home Improvement (TV series)|Home Improvement]]'' || Women #3 || 1 episode
|-
| ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'' || Oi-Lan || 1 episode
|-
| ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' || Mei-Sun Leow || 3 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1996 || ''[[Nash Bridges]]'' || Joy Powell || 1 episode
|-
| ''[[The X Files]]'' || Kim Hsin || 1 episode
|-
| ''[[High Incident]]'' || Officer Whin || 2 episodes
|-
| 1997 || ''[[The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest]]'' || Melana (voice) || 1 episode
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Sex And The City]]''|| Herself || 1 episode
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures]]'' || Adult Jade (voice) || 1 episode
|-
⚫
| 2005 || ''[[The Simpsons]]'' || Madam Wu (voice) || 1 episode
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Ugly Betty]]'' || Grace Chin || 2 episodes
|}

=== Producer ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" border="2" cellpadding="4" background: #f9f9f9;
|- align="center"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes
|-
| 2006 || ''Freedom's Fury'' || Co-executive producer || Documentary
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Code Name: The Cleaner]]'' || Co-executive producer ||
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 22:16, 8 November 2009

Template:Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor

Lucy Alexis Liu (born December 2, 1968) is an American actress. This is known for appearing in the television series Ally McBeal (1998–2002), where he played the vicious and ill mannered Ling Woo, for his performance won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, in addition, Liu has appeared in notable films as Charlie's Angels (2000) and its sequel Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, along with Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore, Chicago (2002), Kill Bill (2003), 3 Needles (2005), Lucky Number Slevin (2006), Rise: Blood Hunter (2007) and Kung Fu Panda (2008).

Early life

Lucy Liu was born and was raised with her brother, John Liu, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York by Taiwanese immigrant parents.[1][2] Liu has said that she grew up in a "diverse" neighborhood.[2] Her family spoke Mandarin at home and she did not learn English until she was five years old.[3] Her father, Tom, was a civil engineer and her mother, Cecilia, a biochemist,[4] but they sacrificed those careers in Taiwan to come to the United States. Liu, at her parents' insistence, devoted her spare time to studying. She attended the Joseph Pulitzer Middle School (I.S.145) and she graduated from New York City's prestigious Stuyvesant High School in 1986.[5] She attended New York University for one year, before transferring to the University of Michigan where she joined the Chi Omega sorority and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Asian Languages and Cultures.[2] At one point, Liu worked as a waitress in Michigan.[2]

Early Career

Liu began acting in 1989, after auditioning for a role in the University of Michigan's production of Alice in Wonderland during her senior year. Liu was cast in the lead role, although she had originally only tried out for a supporting part.[2] Liu had small roles in films and TV (including The X-Files in "Hell Money" and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys in "The March to Freedom") before landing a role on Ally McBeal. Liu originally auditioned for the role of 'Nelle Porter' (played by Portia de Rossi), and the character 'Ling Woo' was later created specifically for her. Liu's part on the series was originally not meant to be regular but the enthusiastic audience response to the actress' 'feisty' Ling Woo secured Liu as a permanent cast member. It also earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.[2] Liu cemented her reputation playing bad girls by portraying "Pearl" the sadistic dominatrix/hitwoman for the Chinese mafia in the film Payback (1999).

Success (2000–2006)

Liu played Alex Munday in the Charlie's Angels film, alongside established Hollywood stars Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz. The film opened in November 2000 and was a hit, earning more than $125 million in the U.S., and a worldwide total of more than $264 million. The sequel, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, opened in June 2003 and was a box-office hit again, earning more than $100 million in the U.S., and a worldwide total of more than $259 million. In between the two films, Liu starred with Antonio Banderas in Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, a critical and box office failure.

Liu next played O-Ren Ishii, one of the major villains in Quentin Tarantino's 2003 film, Kill Bill. She won an MTV Movie Award for "Best Movie Villain" for the part. Subsequently, Liu appeared on several episodes of Joey with Matt LeBlanc, who played her love interest in the Charlie's Angels movies. She also had smaller roles as Kitty Baxter in the film Chicago, and as a psychologist opposite Keira Knightley in the thriller Domino. In 2006, she played leading lady and love interest to Josh Hartnett in the crime thriller Lucky Number Slevin. Other appearances include a cameo on the animated shows Futurama (as herself and/or robot duplicates thereof in the episodes "I Dated a Robot" and "Love and Rocket" and The Simpsons (on the season sixteen episode "Goo Goo Gai Pan"), a guest host on an episode of the NBC sketch show Saturday Night Live in 2000 (musical guest" Jay-Z), and the voice of [[SSX TAe kayo Her film 3 Needles was released on December 1, 2006. In the film, she plays Jin Ping, an HIV-positive Chinese woman. Liu agreed to star in the film for lower than usual pay because she wanted to spread awareness about the way AIDS is improperly treated in China and Thailand.[6]

Recent work (2007–present)

Liu's other recent roles, which met with less success, but later gain cult followings among her fans, include Code Name: The Cleaner, an action comedy released January 5, 2007; Rise, a supernatural thriller co-starring Michael Chiklis in which Liu plays an undead reporter[3] (for which she was ranked number forty-one on "Top 50 Sexiest Vampires");[7] and Watching the Detectives, an independent romantic comedy co-starring Cillian Murphy. Liu has also signed on to star in a new version of Charlie Chan which has been in pre-production since 2000; she will produce both films.[2]

Liu has guest starred as lawyer Grace Chin on Ugly Betty in the episodes "Derailed" and "Icing on the Cake". In a 2001 episode of Sex and the City entitled "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda" she guest starred as herself, playing a new client of character Samantha Jones, who does public relations. She stars in the Sex and the City inspired TV show, Cashmere Mafia on ABC. In 2007, Empire magazine named her among the "100 Sexiest Movie Stars".[8]

In 2008, after pitching an interest in being part of the hit new show Dirty Sexy Money, the producers immediately created a role for her as a series regular. She plays the role of Nola Lyons, a powerful attorney that faces Nick George (played by Peter Krause).[9] She is the voice for Silvermist in Disney Fairies franchise. She also appeared in Kung Fu Panda, an animated film in which she voiced Viper.[2]

Personal life

In a Jane interview, she is quoted as saying,

"I think people sometimes get the wrong impression when they're like, 'Oh, well, so-and-so was straight and then she was gay, and now she's straight again,' you know? But it's like, how many times do I have to kiss a woman before I'm gay? Everybody wants to label people. Sometimes you just fall in love with somebody, and you're really not thinking about what gender or whatever they happen to be. I think that if I happen to fall in love with a woman, everyone's going to make a big deal out of it. But if I happen to fall in love with a man, nobody cares."[10][11]

With her parents' work ethic, Liu continued, "I'm always multi-tasking, doing 10 things at once". She is the aunt of Nelson Chang and Cindy Meng, Co-Founders of Alpha Science Learning Centers in Temple City, California.[12] She speaks Chinese (Mandarin), English, Italian,[8] Spanish, and a little Japanese, a language she studied in preparation for her role in Kill Bill.[2] She also rock climbs, practices martial arts, skis, and plays the accordion.

Liu is also an artist in several media, and has had three gallery shows showcasing her collage, paintings, and photography.[13] She started doing collage mixed media at 16 and then moved to photography and later painting.[14] Lucy Liu had an art show in September and she donated her share of the profits to UNICEF.[14][15] She also has another show in 2008 in Munich and has stated that she will also donate her share of the profits to UNICEF.[14]

In 2001, Liu was the spokesperson for the Lee National Denim Day fundraiser which raises millions of dollars for breast cancer research and education. In 2005, Liu was appointed a U.S. Fund for UNICEF Ambassador; in that capacity, she has traveled to Pakistan and Lesotho, among other countries.[2] She also hosted an MTV documentary for the MTV EXIT campaign in 2007, produced to raise awareness of human trafficking in Asia. Early in 2006, Liu received an "Asian Excellence Award" for Visibility, since she is considered the most well-known and visible Asian American in the media today. She is also the first Asian American woman to host Saturday Night Live.

Liu has said about her background, "when you grow up Asian-American it’s difficult because you don’t know if you’re Asian or you’re American. You get confused... You need to recognize where your background is from. I think it’s important. Just for yourself. It makes you more whole. It does."[2]

She lives with her brother and his wife in New York.[14]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1991 Beverly Hills, 90210 Courtney Episode: "Pass, Not Pass"
1992 Rhythm of Destiny Donna Hong Kong film
1993 Protozoa Ari
1995 Bang Hooker
ER Mei-Sun Leow Episodes: "Do One, Teach One, Kill One", "What Life?" and "And Baby Makes Two"
1996 Jerry Maguire Former Girlfriend
1997 Flypaper Dot
Riot Luke Perry's Girlfriend
Gridlock'd Cee-Cee
City of Industry Cathi Rose
Guy Woman at newsstand
1998 Love Kills Kashi
Ally McBeal Ling Woo (1998–2003) 72 episodes
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series
Nominated – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
1999 Payback Pearl
True Crime Toy Shop Girl
Molly Brenda
The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human Lydia
Play It to the Bone Lia
2000 Shanghai Noon Princess Pei Pei Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress - Action
Charlie's Angels Alex Munday MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team (shared with Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore)
Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Action Team (shared with Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore)
Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated – MTV Movie Award for Best Dressed
2001 Hotel Kawikar
2002 Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever Agent Sever
Cypher Rita Foster
Chicago Kitty Baxter Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Nominated – Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast
Nominated – Teen Choice Awards for Choice Movie Hissy Fit
2003 Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle Alex Munday Nominated – MTV Movie Award for Best Dance Sequence
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 O-Ren Ishii MTV Movie Award for Best Villain
Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress
2004 Mulan II Mei (voice)
2005 3 Needles Jin Ping, the Blood Smuggler
Domino Taryn Miles
The Simpsons Madam Wu (voice) Episode: "Goo Goo Gai Pan"
2006 Lucky Number Slevin Lindsey
2007 Code Name: The Cleaner Gina Also executive producer
Rise: Blood Hunter Sadie Blake
Ugly Betty Grace Chin Episodes: "Derailed" and "Icing on the Cake"
2008 Watching the Detectives Violet
Kung Fu Panda Master Viper (voice)
The Year of Getting to Know Us Anne
Tinker Bell Silvermist (voice)
Dirty Sexy Money Nola Lyons (2008–2009) 13 episodes; Season 2
Cashmere Mafia Mia Mason 7 episodes
2009 Afro Samurai Resurrection Sio (voice)
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Silvermist (voice) Completed
2010 Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Silvermist (voice) Post-production
Nomads unknown Post-production
2011 Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom Master Viper (voice) Announced

References

  1. ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/lucy-liu--an-agent-of-change-855072.html
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Roberts, Sheila (2006-12-21). "Lucy Liu Interview, CodeName The Cleaner". Movies Online. Retrieved 2006-12-21. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ a b Radish, Christina (2006-12-06). "Lucy Liu and Shawn Ashmore Talk about "3 Needles"". MediaBlvd Magazine. Retrieved 2006-12-21. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ Lucy Liu Biography (1968-)
  5. ^ Ogunnaike, Lola (2003-10-13). "The Perks and Pitfalls Of a Ruthless-Killer Role; Lucy Liu Boosts the Body Count in New Film". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  6. ^ "Liu Shocked by Ridiculous Chinese AIDS 'Cures'". Contact Music. 2006-11-29. Retrieved 2006-11-29. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ url=http://www.ugo.com/lifestyle/sexy-vampires/?cur=sadie-blake&morepics=1
  8. ^ a b EimpireOnline.com EmpireOnline.com, 100 Sexiest Movie Stars.
  9. ^ "Lucy Liu Talks Dirty". AsianWeek. Retrieved on 2008-09-08.
  10. ^ ""How many times do I have to kiss a woman before I'm gay?"". Jane Magazine. 2003. Retrieved 2006-11-29. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  11. ^ Belge, Kathy. "Lucy Liu". Lesbian Life at About.com. Retrieved 2006-11-29. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ according to the Los Angeles Wave Newspaper September 2, 2007 issue
  13. ^ Tucker, Reed (2006-05-01). ""Painting By Numbers With Lucy Liu"". Esquire. Retrieved 2006-12-06. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ a b c d Live with Regis and Kelly. First aired on January 21, 2008.
  15. ^ McMurry.com Auction of Lucy Liu’s Artwork Raises More Than $330,000, October 17, 2006.
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