Kelly Hu

Kelly Ann Hu (born February 13, 1968) is an American actress.

Related Topics:
February 13 - 1968 - American

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Hu was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her ethnic background is a mixture of Chinese, Hawaiian, and English.

Related Topics:
Honolulu, Hawaii - Chinese - Hawaiian - English

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Hu has had a lifelong interest in singing and dancing. She has also been interested in martial arts since her early childhood, when her older brother would arrange for her to fight neighborhood boys. Hu's cousin was a successful model in Japan and Hu decided to follow her example. To gain publicity, she entered Miss Teen USA contest in 1985. Hu has mentioned in interviews that her mother had told her America was not ready for an Asian as such a prominent role model. However, Hu became the first Asian American to win the title anyway. Ironically she found out after winning that she was prohibited from appearing in non-contest related activities for the year of her reign.

Related Topics:
Japan - Miss Teen USA

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Hu worked in Japan and Italy, the later in which she became well-known as the star of a series of ads for Philadelphia brand cream cheese. Hu moved to Los Angeles and began her acting career in 1987 with a guest starring role on the sitcom Growing Pains. Hu followed this with appearances on series such as Night Court, Tour of Duty

Related Topics:
Italy - Los Angeles - Growing Pains - Night Court - Tour of Duty

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, 21 Jump Street, and Melrose Place and her first movie role in '. Hu also won the title of Miss Hawaii USA in 1993.

Related Topics:
21 Jump Street - Melrose Place

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In 1995, Hu played an undercover police officer in the movie No Way Back. While the movie was not a major success it opened a new career direction for Hu in action adventure roles. She was then cast as Dr. Rae Chang on Sunset Beach for six months in 1997. Afterwards, Hu was cast as police officers Michelle Chan in the television series Nash Bridges (1997-1998) and Chen Pei Pei on Martial Law (1998-2000). Her subsequent movie appearances include The Scorpion King (2002), Cradle 2 the Grave (2003) and X2 (2003). She provided voice talents for the popular video game ' as Visas Marr, the Sith woman who joins the Exile's party.

Related Topics:
No Way Back - Sunset Beach - Nash Bridges - The Scorpion King - Cradle 2 the Grave - X2 - Video game - Visas Marr - Sith

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Hu resides in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California where she is co-owner of a restaurant Basic Bites.

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