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Ming-Na Wen | |
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| File:Ming-Na Wen by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg Wen in 2018 | |
| Born | November 20, 1963 Coloane, Portuguese Macau |
| Other names | Ming-Na Ming Na Ming Na Wen Ming Wen |
| Education | Carnegie Mellon University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouses | Kirk Aanes
(m. 1990; div. 1993)Eric Michael Zee (m. 1995) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | {{URL|example.com|optional display text}} |
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| Ming-Na Wen | |||||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 溫明娜 | ||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 温明娜 | ||||||||||||||||
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Ming-Na Wen (Script error: No such module "Lang-zh".; born November 20, 1963)[1] is an American actress.
Wen is best known for her starring role as Fa Mulan in the animated musical action films Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004), and as Melinda May in the ABC superhero drama series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020). She reprised the role of Mulan in the video game Kingdom Hearts II (2005), the animated children's series Sofia the First (2014), and the animated comedy film Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018).[2]
Wen is also known for her role as Dr. Jing-Mei "Deb" Chen in the medical drama series ER (1995–2004). She starred as Rachel Lu in the medical drama series Inconceivable (2005), one of the few American television series with an Asian American series lead. She also had starring roles as Detective Ellen Yin in the animated series The Batman (2004–2005), as Camile Wray in the science fiction series Stargate Universe (2009–2011), and as Fennec Shand in the space western drama series The Mandalorian (2019). Wen is notable for starring in such films as The Joy Luck Club (1993), Street Fighter (1994), Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001), Prom Night (2008), and Push (2009).
Early life[]
Wen was born on November 20, 1963 in Coloane, one of the two main islands of Macau.[1] Her parents moved to Macau in the mid-1960s, from mainland China.
Wen’s parents divorced when she was an infant and she moved with her mother, Lin Chan Wen, to Hong Kong. Her mother remarried, to Soo Lim Yee, and the family moved to New York City when Wen was four years old. After five years, Wen's mother and stepfather relocated again, to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area, where they opened The Chinatown Inn restaurant, which is still operating.[1] Raised in the suburb of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, she attended Mount Lebanon High School[3] and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1986.[4]
Career[]
Wen's first television role was in the children's television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood in 1985.[5] From 1988 to 1991, she played Lien Hughes, the daughter of Tom Hughes, on the soap opera As the World Turns.
After starring in the acclaimed 1993 film The Joy Luck Club,[6] she landed the role of Dr. Jing-Mei "Deb" Chen on the NBC drama series ER.[1] She first starred in a recurring role during the 1994-1995 season before returning in 1999 as a series regular, remaining on the show until midway through Season 11 in 2004. Wen also played Chun-Li in Street Fighter[6] and co-starred on the sitcom The Single Guy from 1995 to 1997.[1]
Wen in October 2006
She provided the voice for the title character in the 1998 animated film Mulan, its direct-to-video sequel, Mulan II, and the video game Kingdom Hearts II, subsequently winning an Annie Award. She also voiced Aki Ross in the computer animated film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within,[7] and Detective Ellen Yin in the animated series The Batman.[7] She was also the voice actress for Jade, a minor character in the HBO animated series Spawn.[6]
In 2004, she took part in a Hollywood Home Game on the World Poker Tour, and won.[8] In fall 2005, she starred on the NBC drama series Inconceivable as the lead character, Rachel Lu. However, the series was canceled after only two episodes. Her next TV role was an FBI agent in the Fox kidnap drama series Vanished, which premiered in the fall of 2006 then was canceled roughly three months later. She also played a small role as a college professor in the comedy series George Lopez.
On October 8 through October 29, 2007, Wen (billed as Ming Wen) appeared in a four-episode arc of CBS's Two and a Half Men, playing Charlie Sheen's love interest, a judge closer to his own age.[9] In November 2008, she guest-starred on two ABC series: Private Practice and Boston Legal. From December 5–6, 2008, Wen starred in a benefit production of the musical Grease with "Stuttering" John Melendez at the Class Act Theatre.[10]
She was cast as a regular in the Stargate Universe television series as political attaché Camile Wray from October 2009 to May 2011.[1] Wen made an appearance in Disney Through the Decades, a short documentary about the history of The Walt Disney Company through to the present, as the hostess of the 1990s section.
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Wen at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con
Wen appeared on the Syfy series Eureka as the inquisitive U.S. Senator Michaela Wen,[11] beginning in season four in 2011 and serving as a major villain in the fifth and final season in 2012.[12]
Wen starred as Agent Melinda May in the ABC superhero drama series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which premiered on September 24, 2013.[13]
In August 2014, Wen reprised her role as Mulan for the first time since Kingdom Hearts II in the Disney Channel series Sofia the First.[7] Her daughter Michaela Zee has a recurring role on the show as Princess Jun.[14]
On December 7, 2017, Marvel Entertainment launched a new animation film franchise Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors. Wen voiced Hala the Accuser, the main antagonist of the film, working with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. co-star Chloe Bennet.[15] That same year, she once again provided the voice of Mulan in Ralph Breaks the Internet.[7]
She was named a Disney Legend at the 2019 D23 Expo for her outstanding contributions to the Disney company.[16][17] She was also announced to be a cast-member of the Star Wars TV series The Mandalorian, making her the only actor who has appeared in all three of Disney's most lucrative properties.[18]
Personal life[]
Wen in 2014
In 1990, Wen married American film writer Kirk Aanes. They divorced in 1993. On June 16, 1995, Wen married her second husband, Eric Michael Zee.[1] Together they have two children, a daughter, Michaela Kitlin, born on November 21, 2000, and a son, Cooper Dominic Zee, born on October 12, 2005. Michaela has followed her mother's footsteps in voice-acting, and voices Princess Jun in the Disney Channel animated series Sofia the First.[14]
Wen is trilingual and fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin.[8][19]
Filmography[]
Ming-Na at the January 2009 premiere for Push
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Rain Without Thunder | "Uudie" Prisoner | |
| The Joy Luck Club | Jing-Mei "June" Woo | ||
| 1994 | Terminal Voyage | Han | |
| Hong Kong 97 | Katie Chun | ||
| Street Fighter | Chun-Li Zang | ||
| 1997 | One Night Stand | Mimi Carlyle | |
| 1998 | Mulan | Fa Mulan (voice) | |
| 12 Bucks | Gorgeous | ||
| 2001 | Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within | Dr. Aki Ross (voice) | |
| 2002 | A Ribbon of Dreams | Mei-Ling (voice) | |
| Teddy Bears' Picnic | Katy Woo | ||
| 2005 | Mulan II | Fa Mulan (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| Perfection | Woman | Short film | |
| 2008 | Prom Night | Dr. Elisha Crowe | |
| 2009 | Push | Emily Wu | |
| 2010 | BoyBand | Judy Roberts | |
| 2012 | Super Cyclone | Dr. Jenna Sparks | Direct-to-video |
| 2013 | April Rain | Hillary | |
| 2016 | The Darkness | Wendy | |
| 2018 | Ralph Breaks the Internet | Fa Mulan (voice) | |
| 2019 | Swimming | Lilian | Short film |
| 2020 | Mulan | Esteemed guest | Cameo[20] |
| 2020 | Pearl | Headmistress |
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Mister Rogers' Neighborhood | Royal Trumpeter | 2 episodes |
| 1987 | Another World | Abby | Episode: "#1.5950" |
| 1988–1991 | As the World Turns | Lien Hughes | 42 episodes |
| 1993 | Blind Spot | Mitsuko | Television film |
| 1994 | All-American Girl | Amy | Episode: "Redesigning Women" |
| Vanishing Son II | Mai | Television film | |
| Vanishing Son IV | Television film | ||
| 1995, 2000–2004 | ER | Dr. Jing-Mei "Deb" Chen | 118 episodes |
| 1995–1997 | The Single Guy | Trudy | 43 episodes |
| 1997 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Lani (voice) | Episode: "Puss in Boots" |
| 1998 | Tempting Fate | Ellen Moretti | Television film |
| 1998–1999 | Todd McFarlane's Spawn | Jade / Lisa Wu (voice) | 5 episodes |
| 2002 | I Got You | Kaila | Unsold ABC pilot |
| Disney's House of Mouse | Fa Mulan (voice) | Episode: "Salute to Sports" | |
| 2004 | The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius | Princess Guan Qi "Peggy" Tsu (voice) | Episode: "The Great Egg Heist/The Feud" |
| 2004–2005 | The Batman | Detective Ellen Yin (voice) | 16 episodes |
| 2004 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Li Mei | Episode: "Debt" |
| 2005 | Robot Chicken | Mary-Kate Olsen (voice) | Episode: "Kiddie Pool" |
| Inconceivable | Rachel Lu | 9 episodes | |
| 2006 | George Lopez | Professor Tracy Lim | 2 episodes |
| Vanished | Lin Mei | 13 episodes | |
| 2007 | American Masters | Narrator (voice) | Episode: "Novel Reflections: The American Dream" |
| 2007, 2010 | Two and a Half Men | Judge Linda Harris | 5 episodes |
| 2008, 2013 | Phineas and Ferb | Dr. Hirano (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Private Practice | Kara Wei | Episode: "Let It Go" |
| Boston Legal | Ming Wang Shu | Episode: "Roe" | |
| 2009 | Ni Hao Kai-Lan | Gu Nai Nai (voice) | Episode: "Kai-lan's Trip to China" |
| 2009–2011 | Stargate Universe | Camile Wray | 31 episodes |
| 2011–2012 | Eureka | Senator Michaela Wen | 7 episodes |
| 2011 | Celebrity Ghost Stories | Herself | Episode: "Keshia Knight Pulliam, Ming-Na, Chi McBride, Mia Tyler" |
| 2012 | Adventure Time | Farmworld Finn's Mom (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Nashville | Calista Reeves | Episode: "You Win Again" |
| 2013–2020 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Agent Melinda May | 134 episodes |
| 2014 | Sofia the First | Fa Mulan (voice) | Episode: "Princesses to the Rescue" |
| 2017–2018 | Milo Murphy's Law | Savannah (voice) | 7 episodes |
| 2017 | Fresh Off the Boat | Stephanie | Episode: "The Flush" |
| 2017–2018 | Sofia the First | Vega (voice) | 5 episodes |
| 2017 | We Bare Bears | Ranger Zhao (voice) | Episode: "Ranger Games" |
| 2018 | Guardians of the Galaxy | Phyla the Accuser (voice) | 4 episodes |
| Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors | Hala the Accuser (voice) | Television short film | |
| 2018–2019 | Hot Streets | Soo Park (voice) | 6 episodes |
| Fresh Off the Boat | Elaine | 2 episodes | |
| 2019 | Marvel Rising: Heart of Iron | Hala the Accuser (voice) | Television short film |
| Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart | Tanya Keys (voice) | Episode: "Meet Tanya Keys" | |
| The Mandalorian | Fennec Shand[21] | Episode: "The Gunslinger" | |
| 2020 | Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens | Sandra | 2 episodes |
Web series[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Parallel Man: Infinite Pursuit | Major Mackenzie Cartwright (voice) | Short film |
| 2016 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot | Agent Melinda May | 2 episodes |
| 2020 | 50 States of Fright | Susan | 3 episodes |
Video games[]
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Street Fighter: The Movie | Chun-Li | |
| 1999 | Disney's Story Studio: Mulan | Fa Mulan | |
| 2005 | Disney's Story Studio: Mulan II | ||
| 2006 | Kingdom Hearts II | ||
| 2015 | Disney Infinity 3.0 | ||
| 2016 | Lego Marvel's Avengers | Agent Melinda May | |
| Disney Magic Kingdoms | Fa Mulan |
Awards and nominations[]
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Annie Award | Outstanding Achievement in Voice Acting, Female | Mulan | Won |
| 1999 | Online Film & Television Association Award | Best Family Actress | Won | |
| Best Voice-Over Performer | Nominated | |||
| 2001 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | ER | Nominated |
| 2014 | People's Choice Award | Favorite Actress in a New TV Series | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Nominated |
| 2015 | TVLine's Performer of the Week | Performance in "Melinda" | Won | |
| 2019 | Disney Legend | Film, Television, & Animation — Voice | Herself | Won |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Ming-Na: Actress (1963–)". Biography.com (FYI / A&E Networks). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ↑ "'Wreck-It Ralph 2' Bringing Back Original Disney Princess Voice Actresses". WWG.
- ↑ Polke, Clarece (April 3, 2014). "Admired theater teacher retiring after 33 years at Mt. Lebanon". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ↑ Elkin, Michael (September 23, 2016). "CMU grad Ming-Na Wen stands up for herself, on and off screen". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ↑ "Ming-Na". TV.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Libuano, Patrick (October 21, 2016). "7 times Ming-Na Wen played a total badass". Kore Asian Media. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Ming-Na Wen". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Patrizio, Andy (October 27, 2004). "An Interview With Ming-Na". IGN. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ↑ Mchance (October 14, 2013). "'Agents of SHIELD' star Ming-Na Wen calls Charlie Sheen a good kisser". Screener TV. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ↑ "John Melendez and Ming Na to Star in Grease Benefit". Theater Mania. Theatermania.com. November 12, 2008. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
- ↑ Darren (August 19, 2010). "Ming-Na to guest star on Eureka". Gate World. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ↑ Wilkins, Alasdair (April 24, 2012). "Eureka finally does something genuinely shocking". io9. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ↑ "Marvel's S.H.I.E.L.D. recruits Ming-Na Wen". Asia Pacific Arts. October 29, 2012.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "First Look:Ming-Na Wen is Back at Mulan - This Time on Sofia the First". TV Guide. July 22, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ↑ Dinh, Christine (December 7, 2017). "Marvel to Launch New Animation Franchise 'Marvel Rising'". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ↑ Abell, Bailee (May 16, 2019). "Robert Downey Jr. and James Earl Jones highlight the list of Disney Legends to be honored at D23 Expo 2019". Inside the Magic. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
- ↑ Dela Paz, Maggie (May 17, 2019). "RDJ, Jon Favreau, James Earl Jones & More to be Honored as Disney Legends". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- ↑ Hipes, Patrick (August 24, 2019). "Ming-Na Wen Joins Cast Of 'The Mandalorian', Securing Disney Franchise Trifecta". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ Channeling : With An Eye On. . . : Ming-Na Wen uses the power of persuasion to land on 'The Single Guy', Los Angeles Times, October 29, 1995.
- ↑ Acuna, Kirsten; Guerrasio, Jason (September 4, 2020). "The live-action 'Mulan' has an unexpected cameo you may overlook the first time around. Here's how it came together". Insider. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ↑ Breznican, Anthony (November 4, 2019). "First Look: Ming-Na Wen's Star Wars Assassin From The Mandalorian". Vanity Fair.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ming-Na Wen. |
- Official website
- Ming-Na Wen on IMDb
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