Lauren Tom
Lauren Tom (born August 4, 1961)[1] is an American actress and voice actress. Her roles include Lena St. Clair in The Joy Luck Club, Julie in the NBC sitcom Friends, Dot in the final season of Grace Under Fire, and the voices for Amy Wong in Futurama, Minh and Connie Souphanousinphone in King of the Hill, and Numbuh 3 in Codename: Kids Next Door. She portrayed Celia Mack in the Disney Channel series Andi Mack.
Lauren Tom | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Tom at 2012 San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | August 4, 1961 Highland Park, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, voice actress |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse(s) | Glenn Lau-Kee (m. 1982; div. between 1982 and 1997) Curt Kaplan
( m. after 1999) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Tom Y. Chan (grandfather) Ping Tom (uncle) |
| Website | www |
Early life
Tom was born in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois,[2] the daughter of Nancy (née Dare) and Chan Tom, Jr., who worked in the frozen food business.[1][3] She has a brother named Chip.[3] Their parents were born in Chicago, and their grandparents came from Kaiping, Guangdong, China.[2]
Raised in Highland Park, she grew up as a Catholic in a largely Jewish neighborhood. Tom was bullied as a child about her Chinese heritage, making her introverted and eventually inspiring her to study dance.[4]
Career
Theatre
At the age of 17, Tom landed a spot with a touring company of A Chorus Line and was cast in the Broadway production of the show less than a year later in the role of Connie.[5] She won an Obie Award for her Off-Broadway acting and was cast in the Broadway shows Hurlyburly and Doonesbury. In Chicago she starred in the Goodman Theater's production of 'Tis Pity She's a Whore.[6]
Film
Tom had several small roles in movies including Nothing Lasts Forever, Wall Street, See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Blue Steel. Her biggest role up until that point was as a waitress in the Robin Williams/Tim Robbins film Cadillac Man. This role led to being a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Tom landed a lead role in the film The Joy Luck Club in 1993, which led to roles in other films such as When a Man Loves a Woman and North.
Since the mid-1990s, Tom has focused primarily on voiceover roles. She has appeared in a few live-action films, including the 2003 comedy Bad Santa and the critically acclaimed 2004 film In Good Company.
Television
Lauren Tom's first role in television was that of Miko Wakamatsu on The Facts of Life. She subsequently appeared on The Equalizer, Catfish With Black Bean Sauce, thirtysomething, Quantum Leap, Chicago Hope, Homicide: Life on the Street, Grace Under Fire, Friends, The Nanny, The Middle, DAG, The Division, Monk, My Wife and Kids, Barbershop: The Series, Grey's Anatomy, The Closer and Men in Trees. She also had a supporting role on the 8th and 9th season of the drama series Supernatural as prophet Kevin Tran's mother, Linda Tran. In 2018, she appeared in the second season of the Amazon Prime drama series Goliath.
Voice acting
Tom began vocal work in the animated series Superman: The Animated Series playing Angela Chen. From there on, she voiced Dana Tan in Batman Beyond and had minor roles on Pinky and the Brain, Extreme Ghostbusters, The Zeta Project before landing her regular roles on King of the Hill, where she voiced Minh and Connie Souphanousinphone and later Futurama, where she voices Amy and Inez Wong.
Since first playing the character on stage in the 1983 Doonesbury musical, Tom has periodically voiced the character Honey Huan in media related to Doonesbury, most notably in a series of animated shorts satirizing the 2000 U.S. presidential election.
She has also lent her voice to All Grown Up!, Rocket Power, Max Steel, Handy Manny as Mrs. Lee and Nelson, Samurai Jack, Johnny Bravo, Justice League Unlimited, Kim Possible and Legion of Super Heroes.
She has also voiced the villains Gizmo and Jinx on Teen Titans, Yan Lin, Susan, Alchemy on W.I.T.C.H., Tasumi on The Replacements, Jake's mom, Counselor Chang on American Dragon: Jake Long, and as Joo Dee on Avatar: The Last Airbender. She also guest-starred in The Penguins of Madagascar as Chuck Charles's co-anchor, Bonnie Chang, in "Gator Watch" and "All Tied Up With a Boa".
In 2010, she did the voice of Song, Bai Li and Ming on the animated series, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness and also played the role of Jessica in the animated film, Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare.
Other animated movies Tom has voiced include Mulan II, Kim Possible: The Secret Files, Kim Possible Movie: So The Drama, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and the four Futurama movies: Bender's Big Score, The Beast with a Billion Backs, Bender's Game and Into the Wild Green Yonder.
She voiced Li Li Stormstout in World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria[7] and played Hayaku on an episode of Turbo FAST.[8]
Personal life
Tom married Glenn Lau-Kee on October 23, 1982. Following the end of that marriage, she wed actor Curt Kaplan in October 1999. She and Kaplan have two sons.[1]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Nothing Lasts Forever | Eloy | |
| 1987 | Magic Sticks | Redhead | |
| 1987 | Wall Street | Lady Broker | |
| 1989 | Rooftops | Audry | |
| 1989 | See No Evil, Hear No Evil | Mitzie | |
| 1989 | Blue Steel | Marjolene Ping the Female Reporter | |
| 1990 | Cadillac Man | Helen | |
| 1992 | Man Trouble | Adele Bliss | |
| 1993 | The Joy Luck Club | Lena St. Clair | |
| 1993 | Mr. Jones | Amanda Chang | |
| 1994 | When a Man Loves a Woman | Amy | |
| 1994 | North | Mrs. Ho | |
| 1998 | With Friends Like These... | Yolanda Chin | |
| 1998 | Susan's Plan | Carol | |
| 1998 | SubZero | Mariko (voice) | Video |
| 1999 | Catfish in Black Bean Sauce | Mai | |
| 2001 | Jack the Dog | Angel | |
| 2002 | The Wild Thornberrys Movie | Additional Voices | Uncredited |
| 2003 | Manhood | Bambi | |
| 2003 | Bad Santa | Lois | |
| 2004 | Teacher's Pet | Younghee (voice) | |
| 2004 | In Good Company | Obstetrician | |
| 2005 | Mulan II | Su (voice) | Video |
| 2006 | God's Waiting List | Sylvia | |
| 2007 | Futurama: Bender's Big Score | Amy Various (voice) |
Video |
| 2008 | Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs | Amy Wong Inez Wong (voice) |
Video |
| 2008 | Futurama: Bender's Game | Amy Various (voice) |
Video |
| 2009 | Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder | Amy Wong Inez Wong Trixie (voice) |
Video |
| 2010 | Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare | Jessica (voice) | Video |
| 2011 | Kung Fu Panda 2 | Market Sheep (voice) | |
| 2015 | Chasing Eagle Rock | Roxanne | Post-production |
| 2015 | Justice League: Gods and Monsters | Lara (voice) | Video |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | The Facts of Life | Miko | Episode: "The Americanization of Miko" Episode: "Runaway" |
| 1984 | ABC Afterschool Special | Sarah | Episode: "Mom's on Strike" |
| 1985 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Kim | Episode: "The Exchange Student" |
| 1985 | The Equalizer | Mrs. Tom | Episode: "China Rain" |
| 1985 | Spenser: For Hire | Episode: "Children of a Tempest Storm" | |
| 1985 | The Cosby Show | Mrs. Gwynne | Episode: "Denise's Friend" |
| 1990 | Angel of Death | Julie | TV movie |
| 1990 | thirtysomething | Gail | Episode: "The Distance" |
| 1991 | Lenny | Nurse | Episode: "G.I. Joe" |
| 1991 | Quantum Leap | Sophie | Episode: "Southern Comforts" |
| 1991 | Palace Guard | Episode: "Eye of Newt" | |
| 1991 | Anything but Love | Episode: "First Lady Sings the Blues" | |
| 1994 | 704 Hauser | Margaret | Episode: "Triskaidekaphobia" |
| 1994 | Homicide: Life on the Street | Emma Zoole | Episode: "A Model Citizen" Episode: "Happy to Be Here" |
| 1994 | Chicago Hope | Nurse Julia | Episode: "You Gotta Have Heart" and Episode: "Love and Hope" |
| 1995 | The Puzzle Place | Julie's Mom | Episode: "Family Fun" |
| 1995 | Kidnapped: In the Line of Duty | Lily Yee | TV movie |
| 1995 | Escape to Witch Mountain | Claudia Ford | TV movie |
| 1995 | The Nanny | Kim | Episode: "The Chatterbox" |
| 1995 | If Not for You | Claire | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1995–1996 | Friends | Julie | 7 episodes |
| 1996 | Superman: The Last Son of Krypton | Angela Chen (voice) | TV movie |
| 1996–1999 | Superman | Angela Chen (voice) | 14 episodes |
| 1997 | The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest | Angela Chen (voice) | TV movie |
| 1997 | The Blues Brothers Animated Series | Soon-He / Mrs. Fun (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Tell Me No Secrets | Connie Ching | TV movie |
| 1997 | Murder Live! | Marge Fong | TV movie |
| 1997 | Tracey Takes On... | Weng | Episode: "Race Relations" |
| 1997 | Pinky and the Brain | Shopper | Episode: "Brain Acres" |
| 1997 | The New Batman Adventures | Ice Maiden #3 (voice) | Episode: "Cold Comfort" |
| 1997 | Extreme Ghostbusters | Episode: "Fallout" Episode: "Eyes of a Dragon" | |
| 1997–1998 | Grace Under Fire | Dot | 12 episodes |
| 1997–2010 | King of the Hill | Connie Minh Various (voice) |
98 episodes |
| 1998 | Adventures from the Book of Virtues | Mother (voice) | Episode: "Charity" |
| 1998 | Dexter's Laboratory | Teacher (voice) | Episode: "Last But Not Beast" |
| 1998 | Vengeance Unlimited | Samantha | Episode: "Dishonorable Discharge" |
| 1999 | Batman Beyond: The Movie | Dana Tan (voice) | TV movie |
| 1999 | Early Edition | Amy Hunter | Episode: "Play It Again, Sammo" |
| 1999 | Rocket Power | Trish and Sherry (voice) | Episode: "Fall and Rise of Sam / Typhoid Sam" |
| 1999 | Y2K | Ann Lee | TV movie |
| 1999–2001 | The Kids from Room 402 | Jordan (voice) | TV series |
| 1999–2001 | Batman Beyond | Dana Tan Various (voice) |
22 episodes |
| 1999–2003 2008–2013 |
Futurama | Amy Wong Inez Wong Various (voice) |
125+ episodes |
| 2000 | City of Angels | Episode: "Unhand Me" | |
| 2000 | Teacher's Pet | Younghee Additional voices |
TV series |
| 2000 | The Weekenders | Candace (voice) | Episode: "Real Fake" |
| 2000 | Pepper Ann | Alice Kane | Episode: "Complementary Colors" Episode: "A Is for Average/Alice Kane Went Down to Calcutta" |
| 2000 | Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker | Dana Tan (voice) | Video |
| 2000–2001 | DAG | Ginger Chin | 17 episodes |
| 2000–2001 | Clerks | (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | Max Steel | Laura Chen (voice) | Episode: "Strangers" |
| 2001 | Johnny Bravo | Ting (voice) | Episode: "Enter the Chipmunk" |
| 2001 | No P in the O.O.L. | Numbuh 3 (voice) | TV movie |
| 2001–2002 | The Zeta Project | Agent Lee (voice) | 8 episodes |
| 2002 | The Chang Family Saves the World | TV movie | |
| 2002 | ChalkZone | Flunke/Robin (voice) | 1 episode |
| 2002 | The Division | Nora Chen | 6 episodes |
| 2002 | What's New, Scooby-Doo? | Various (voice) | 4 episodes |
| 2002 | My Wife and Kids | Hostess | Episode: "Table for Too Many: Part 1" Episode: "Table for Too Many: Part 2" |
| 2002–2005 | Kim Possible | Yoshiko (voice) | 4 episodes |
| 2002–2003 | Totally Spies! | Lady Dragon Keiko Sunny (voice) |
Episode: "Game Girls" Episode: "Man or Machine" Episode: "Here Comes the Sun" |
| 2002–2004 | Fillmore! | Karen Tehama/Various (voice) | 16 episodes |
| 2002–2008 | Codename: Kids Next Door | Kuki 'Numbuh 3' Sanban (voice) Genki Sanban Additional voices |
78 episodes |
| 2003 | All Grown Up! | Bean (voice) | Episodes: "Interview with a Campfire” parts 1 and 2 |
| 2003 | Monk | Mrs. Ling | Episode: "Mr. Monk and the 12th Man" |
| 2003 | Duck Dodgers | Dr. Yoshimi (voice) | Episode: "The Spy Who Didn't Love Me" |
| 2003 | Samurai Jack | Samurai Jack's mother Additional characters (voice) |
3 episodes |
| 2003 | Line of Fire | Korean Jury Member | Episode: "This Land Is Your Land" |
| 2003–2005 2006 |
Justice League Unlimited | Chung Kid Dana Tan Dr. Light (voice) |
Episode: "Epilogue" Episode: "The Great Brain Robbery" Episode: "Eclipsed" |
| 2003–2005 | Teen Titans | Gizmo Jinx (voice) |
6 episodes |
| 2004 | The Infinite Darcy | Darcy Chang (voice) | TV series |
| 2004 | 30 Days Until I'm Famous | Carla | TV movie |
| 2004 | My Wife and Kids | Annie Hoo | Episode: "Jr. Sells His Car" Episode: "Restaurant Wars" |
| 2004–2006 | W.I.T.C.H. | Yan Lin Various (voice) |
51 episodes |
| 2005 | Kim Possible: So the Drama | Yoshiko (voice) | TV movie |
| 2005 | Danger Rangers | Various (voice) | Episode: "Fires & Liars" |
| 2005 | Barbershop | Dana | 4 episodes |
| 2005 | Threshold | Janet Tam | Episode: "The Order" |
| 2005 | Clifford's Puppy Days | Shun (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2005–2006 | Avatar: The Last Airbender | Joo Dee Additional Voices (voice) |
3 episodes |
| 2005–2007 | American Dragon: Jake Long | Susan Long Counselor Chang (voice) |
25 episodes |
| 2006 | Courting Alex | Jan | Episode: "Everything I Know About Men" |
| 2006 | Let Go | Beverly | TV movie |
| 2006 | Grey's Anatomy | Audrey | Episode: "Begin the Begin" |
| 2006 | In from the Night | Dr. Myra Chen | TV movie |
| 2006 | Codename: Kids Next Door - Operation: Z.E.R.O. | Kuki 'Numbuh 3' Sanban (voice) | TV movie |
| 2006 | The Closer | Dr. Tann | Episode: "Borderline" |
| 2006 | Me, Eloise | (voice) | Episode: "Eloise Goes to School" |
| 2006–2008 | Men in Trees | Mai Washington | 26 episodes |
| 2006–2009 | The Replacements | Tasumi (voice) | 43 episodes |
| 2007 | Billy & Mandy's Big Boogey Adventure | Numbuh Three (voice) | TV movie |
| 2007 | The Grim Adventures of the KND | Numbuh 3 (voice) | TV movie |
| 2007–2008 | Legion of Super Heroes | Zyx (voice) | Episode: "Child's Play" Episode: "Trials" |
| 2008 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Bae Chin | Episode: "Say Uncle" |
| 2009 | Without a Trace | Kim Tan | Episode: "Devotion" |
| 2009 | Hawthorne | Mrs. Tanaka | Episode: "The Sense of Belonging" |
| 2010–2011 | The Penguins of Madagascar | Bonnie Chang (voice) | Episode: "Gator Watch" Episode: "All Tied Up With a Boa" |
| 2010 | Phineas and Ferb | Additional Voices | Episode: "Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You!" |
| 2010 | Fish Hooks | Barb (voice) | Episode: "Bea Becomes an Adult Fish" |
| 2010–2013 | Pound Puppies | Various (voice) | |
| 2011 | Curious George | Mei (voice) | |
| 2011 | Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness | Song/Ming/Bai Li | TV series |
| 2012 | Napoleon Dynamite | Tokiko (voice) | Episode: "Scantronica Love" |
| 2012–2014 | Supernatural | Mrs. Linda Tran | Episode: "What's Up, Tiger Mommy?" Episode: "A Little Slice Of Kevin" Episode: "Captives" |
| 2013–present | Teen Titans Go! | Gizmo Jinx (voice) |
Episode: "Laundry Day" Episode: "Girl's Night Out" |
| 2014–2016 | Turbo FAST | Hayaku Translator (voice) |
Episode: "Turbo Drift" Episode: "He Got Game Night" |
| 2014 | The Simpsons | Amy Wong (voice) | Episode: "Simpsorama" |
| 2015 | Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero | Sashi's Mom (voice) | Episode: "Flurgle Burgle" |
| 2015 | Pretty Little Liars | Rebecca | |
| 2016–2018 | Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia | Mary Wang (voice) | 17 episodes |
| 2017–2019 | Andi Mack | Celia Mack | Main Character |
| 2018 | Mighty Magiswords | Toni Sento (voice) | Episode: "Let's Team Up Because We Aren't Bad Friends" |
| 2018 | Big City Greens | Various (voice) | |
| 2018 | Disenchantment | Stacy LeBlatt (voice) | Episode: “The Princess of Darkness” |
| 2018-2019 | The Loud House | Cici Ms. Pham Burping Burger Mom (voice) |
Episode: “Middle Men” Episode: “Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow” |
| 2018-2019 | 3Below: Tales of Arcadia | Mary Wang (voice) | 9 episodes |
| 2018-2019 | Goliath | Applebees | 5 episodes |
| 2019 | Pinky Malinky | Bus Driver Tina (voice) |
Episode: "Gym" |
| 2019 | Young Justice: Outsiders | Traci Thirteen (voice), additional voices | Episodes: “Away Mission” Episode: “Illusion Of Control” |
| 2019 | The Rookie | Mrs. Chen | Episode: "Tough Love" |
| 2020 | Last Man Standing | Fiona | Episode: "Keep the Change" |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | A Chorus Line | Connie | Tour; Shubert Theatre, Broadway |
| 1983 | Doonesbury | Ching 'Honey' Huan Dance captain |
Original cast; Biltmore Theater, Broadway |
| 1984 | Hurlyburly | Donna | Ethel Barrymore Theater, Broadway |
| 1988 | American Notes | Pauline | The Public Theater, Off-Broadway Received an Obie Award |
| 1990 | 'Tis Pity She's a Whore | Annabella | Goodman Theater, Chicago |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | King of the Hill Video Game | Connie Souphanousinphone | |
| 2002 | Superman: Shadow of Apokolips | Angela Chen / Mercy Graves | |
| 2003 | Command & Conquer: Generals – Zero Hour | ||
| 2004 | World of Warcraft | ||
| 2005 | Codename: Kids Next Door – Operation: V.I.D.E.O.G.A.M.E. | Kuki Sanban (Numbuh 3) | |
| 2005 | Teen Titans | Jinx / Gizmo | |
| 2009 | FusionFall | Numbuh 3 | |
| 2012 | World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria | Li Li Stormstout | |
| 2015 | Heroes of the Storm | Li Li | |
| 2016 | World of Warcraft: Legion | Li Li Stormstout | |
| 2017 | Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow | Amy Wong / Inez Wong / Jrrr (uncredited) | Mobile game |
| 2018 | Lego DC Super-Villains | Gizmo / Jinx / Dr. Poison | |
| 2020 | Ghost of Tsushima | Lady Masako Adachi | English language voice |
References
- "Lauren Tom Biography (1961-)". FilmReference.com. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
Some sources cite 1959
- Tom in Lauren Tom (Untold Stories). Chinese American Museum. August 1, 2013. Event occurs at 00:03. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- "Lauren Tom Biography". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- Pryor, Tim (October 1993). "Lauren Tom: China Girl". Detour. Archived from the original on July 5, 2007.
- Article from In Style Magazine Archived 2010-02-10 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 7 February 2010
- Bommer, Lawrence (1990-03-09). "Updated `Tis Pity` Set In Mussolini`s Italy". Chicago Tribune.
- Lauren Tom [@LaurenTom9000] (3 October 2012). "@erictbar @LaurenTom9000 Yep! Glad you had fun with the Monk! :)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Lauren Tom". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
External links
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