Lauren Tom (born August 4, 1961)[1] is an American actress. She began her career on stage, winning an Obie Award. Her films include The Joy Luck Club (1993). On television, she is known for her roles in the NBC sitcom Friends (1995–1996), the ABC series Men in Trees (2006–2008) and Grace Under Fire (1997–1998), the CW series Supernatural (2012–2014), and the Disney Channel series Andi Mack (2017–2019).
Lauren Tom | |
|---|---|
 Tom at Animate! Columbus in 2023 | |
| Born | August 4, 1961 Highland Park, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse(s) | Glenn Lau-Kee (divorced) Curt Kaplan (m. 1999) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Tom Y. Chan (grandfather) Ping Tom (uncle) |
| Website | laurentom |
In animation, Tom has voiced Amy Wong in Futurama, Dana Tan in Batman Beyond, Jinx and Gizmo in Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go!, Minh and Connie Souphanousinphone in King of the Hill, Trish and Sherry in Rocket Power, Yan Lin in W.I.T.C.H. and Numbuh 3 in Codename: Kids Next Door.
Early life
editTom was born in the Chicago suburb Highland Park, Illinois, on August 4, 1961,[2] the daughter of Nancy (née Dare) and Chan Tom, Jr.[1] She has a brother, Chip.[1] Her parents were born in Chicago, and their grandparents came from Kaiping, Guangdong, China.[2] She was raised in a largely Jewish neighborhood.[3]
Career
editTheatre
editAt age 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.[4] 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.[5]
Film
editTom has played several small roles in films 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's lead role in the film The Joy Luck Club in 1993 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 2004 film In Good Company.
Television
editLauren Tom's first role in television was that of Miko Wakamatsu on The Facts of Life. She subsequently appeared on The Equalizer, Vengeance Unlimited, 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. She also appeared in the 2nd season of Friends as Julie.
Voice acting
edit
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, and 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 provided the voice of Song, Bai Li, and Ming on the animated series Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness and played the role of Jessica in the animated film Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare.
Other animated films Tom has voiced in include Mulan II, Kim Possible: The Secret Files, Kim Possible Movie: So The Drama, Kung Fu Panda 2, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, and the four Futurama television films: 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[6] and played Hayaku on an episode of Turbo FAST.
Personal life
editTom was previously married to Glenn Lau-Kee. She has since married actor Curt Kaplan in October 1999, with whom she has two sons.[1][7]
Filmography
edit
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Nothing Lasts Forever | Eloy | |
| 1987 | Magic Sticks | Redhead | |
| Wall Street | Lady Broker | ||
| 1989 | Rooftops | Audry | |
| See No Evil, Hear No Evil | Mitzie | ||
| 1990 | Blue Steel | Marjolene Ping the Female Reporter | |
| Cadillac Man | Helen | ||
| 1992 | Man Trouble | Adele Bliss | |
| 1993 | The Joy Luck Club | Lena St. Clair | |
| Mr. Jones | Amanda Chang | ||
| 1994 | When a Man Loves a Woman | Amy | |
| North | Mrs. Ho | ||
| 1998 | With Friends Like These... | Yolanda Chin | |
| Susan's Plan | Carol | ||
| SubZero | Mariko | Voice, direct-to-video | |
| 1999 | Catfish in Black Bean Sauce | Mai | |
| 2000 | Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker | Dana Tan | Voice, direct-to-video[8] |
| 2001 | Jack the Dog | Angel | |
| 2003 | Manhood | Bambi | |
| Bad Santa | Lois | ||
| 2004 | Teacher's Pet | Younghee | Voice[8] |
| In Good Company | Obstetrician | ||
| 2005 | Mulan II | Su | Voice, direct-to-video[8] |
| 2006 | God's Waiting List | Sylvia | |
| 2007 | Futurama: Bender's Big Score | Amy Wong | Voice, direct-to-video |
| 2008 | Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs | Amy Wong, Inez Wong | Voice, direct-to-video |
| Futurama: Bender's Game | Amy Wong | Voice, direct-to-video | |
| 2009 | Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder | Amy Wong, Inez Wong, Trixie | Voice, direct-to-video |
| 2010 | Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare | Jessica | Voice, direct-to-video[8] |
| 2011 | Kung Fu Panda 2 | Market Sheep | Voice[8] |
| 2015 | Chasing Eagle Rock | Roxanne | |
| Justice League: Gods and Monsters | Lara | Voice, direct-to-video | |
| 2017 | Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown | Sharon | Voice, direct-to-video[8] |
| 2021 | Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans | Nomura | Voice, direct-to-video[8] |
| 2023 | One True Loves | Ann |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | The Facts of Life | Miko | 2 episodes |
| 1984 | ABC Afterschool Special | Sarah | Episode: "Mom's on Strike" |
| 1985 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Kim | Episode: "The Exchange Student" |
| The Equalizer | Mrs. Tom | Episode: "China Rain" | |
| Spenser: For Hire | Episode: "Children of a Tempest Storm" | ||
| The Cosby Show | Mrs. Gwynne | Episode: "Denise's Friend" | |
| 1990 | Angel of Death | Julie | Television film |
| thirtysomething | Gail | Episode: "The Distance" | |
| 1991 | Lenny | Nurse | Episode: "G.I. Joe" |
| Quantum Leap | Sophie | Episode: "Southern Comforts" | |
| Palace Guard | Episode: "Eye of Newt" | ||
| Anything but Love | Episode: "First Lady Sings the Blues" | ||
| 1994 | 704 Hauser | Margaret | Episode: "Triskaidekaphobia" |
| Homicide: Life on the Street | Emma Zoole | 2 episodes | |
| Chicago Hope | Nurse Julia | 2 episodes | |
| 1995 | The Puzzle Place | Julie's Mom | Episode: "Family Fun" |
| Kidnapped: In the Line of Duty | Lily Yee | Television film | |
| Escape to Witch Mountain | Claudia Ford | Television film | |
| The Nanny | Kim | Episode: "The Chatterbox" | |
| If Not for You | Claire | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 1995–1996 | Friends | Julie | 7 episodes |
| 1996–1999 | Superman: The Animated Series | Angela Chen | Voice, 14 episodes[8] |
| 1997 | The Blues Brothers Animated Series | Soon-He, Mrs. Fun | Voice, 3 episodes |
| Tell Me No Secrets | Connie Ching | Television film | |
| Murder Live! | Marge Fong | Television film | |
| Tracey Takes On... | Weng | Episode: "Race Relations" | |
| Pinky and the Brain | Shopper | Voice, episode: "Brain Acres"[8] | |
| The New Batman Adventures | Ice Maiden #3 | Voice, episode: "Cold Comfort"[8] | |
| 1997–1998 | Grace Under Fire | Dot | 12 episodes |
| 1997–2010, 2025 | King of the Hill | Connie, Minh, various | Voice, 98 episodes |
| 1998 | Adventures from the Book of Virtues | Mother | Voice, episode: "Charity" |
| Dexter's Laboratory | Teacher | Voice, episode: "Last But Not Beast" | |
| Vengeance Unlimited | Samantha | Episode: "Dishonorable Discharge" | |
| 1999 | Early Edition | Amy Hunter | Episode: "Play It Again, Sammo" |
| 1999–2004 | Rocket Power | Trish, Sherry, various | Voice, 21 episodes |
| 1999 | Y2K | Ann Lee | Television film |
| 1999–2001 | The Kids from Room 402 | Jordan | Voice |
| Batman Beyond | Dana Tan, Kai-Ro, Agent Lee | Voice, 22 episodes[8] | |
| 1999–2003, 2008–2013, 2023–present | Futurama | Amy Wong, Inez Wong, various | Voice, main role |
| 2000 | Teacher's Pet | Younghee, additional voices | Voice |
| The Weekenders | Candace | Voice, episode: "Real Fake"[8] | |
| Pepper Ann | Alice Kane | Voice, 2 episodes | |
| 2000–2001 | DAG | Ginger Chin | 17 episodes |
| 2001 | Max Steel | Laura Chen | Voice, episode: "Strangers" |
| Johnny Bravo | Ting | Voice, episode: "Enter the Chipmunk"[8] | |
| No P in the O.O.L. | Numbuh 3 | Voice, television film | |
| 2001–2002 | The Zeta Project | Agent Lee | Voice, 8 episodes[8] |
| Lloyd in Space | Trixie, Sirenia | Voice, 3 episodes | |
| 2002 | ChalkZone | Flunke, Robin | Voice, 1 episode |
| The Division | Nora Chen | 6 episodes | |
| What's New, Scooby-Doo? | Various | Voice, 4 episodes[8] | |
| 2002–2005 | Kim Possible | Yoshiko | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2002–2003 | Totally Spies! | Carla “Lady Dragon” Wong, Keiko, Sunny Day | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2002–2004 | Fillmore! | Karen Tehama, various | Voice, 16 episodes[8] |
| My Wife and Kids | Hostess/ Annie Hoo | 4 episodes | |
| 2002–2008 | Codename: Kids Next Door | Kuki Sanban / Numbuh 3, additional voices | Voice, main role (78 episodes)[8] |
| 2003 | All Grown Up! | Bean | Voice, episode: "Interview with a Campfire" |
| Monk | Mrs. Ling | Episode: "Mr. Monk and the 12th Man" | |
| Duck Dodgers | Dr. Yoshimi | Voice, episode: "The Spy Who Didn't Love Me"[8] | |
| Samurai Jack | Samurai Jack's mother, Kuni, Yamako | Voice, 3 episodes[8] | |
| Line of Fire | Korean Jury Member | Episode: "This Land Is Your Land" | |
| Justice League | Chung | Voice, episode: "Eclipsed"[8] | |
| 2003–2005 | Teen Titans | Gizmo, Jinx | 6 episodes |
| 2003–2006 | Clifford's Puppy Days | Shun, Lucy | Voice[8] |
| 2004 | The Infinite Darcy | Darcy Chang | Voice |
| 30 Days Until I'm Famous | Carla | Television film | |
| W.I.T.C.H. | Yan Lin | Voice, 51 episodes | |
| 2005 | Kim Possible: So the Drama | Yoshiko | Voice, television film |
| Danger Rangers | Various | Voice, episode: "Fires & Liars"[8] | |
| Barbershop | Dana | 4 episodes | |
| Threshold | Janet Tam | Episode: "The Order" | |
| 2005–2006 | Avatar: The Last Airbender | Joo Dee, additional voices | Voice, 3 episodes[8] |
| Justice League Unlimited | Dr. Light, Dana Tan | Voice, 3 episodes[8] | |
| 2005–2007 | American Dragon: Jake Long | Susan Long, Counselor Chang | Voice, 25 episodes |
| 2006 | Courting Alex | Jan | Episode: "Everything I Know About Men" |
| Let Go | Beverly | Television film | |
| Grey's Anatomy | Audrey | Episode: "Begin the Begin" | |
| In from the Night | Dr. Myra Chen | Television film | |
| Codename: Kids Next Door - Operation: Z.E.R.O. | Kuki Sanban / Numbuh 3 | Voice, television film | |
| The Closer | Dr. Tann | Episode: "Borderline" | |
| 2006–2008 | Men in Trees | Mai Washington | 26 episodes |
| 2006–2009 | The Replacements | Tasumi | Voice, 43 episodes |
| 2007 | Billy & Mandy's Big Boogey Adventure | Kuki Sanban / Numbuh 3 | Voice, television film[8] |
| The Grim Adventures of the KND | Numbuh 3 | Voice, television film | |
| 2007–2008 | Legion of Super Heroes | Zyx, White Witch | Voice, 2 episodes[8] |
| 2008 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Bae Chin | Episode: "Say Uncle" |
| 2009 | Without a Trace | Kim Tan | Episode: "Devotion" |
| Hawthorne | Mrs. Tanaka | Episode: "The Sense of Belonging" | |
| 2010–2011 | The Penguins of Madagascar | Bonnie Chang | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Phineas and Ferb | Additional Voices | Episode: "Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You!" |
| Fish Hooks | Barb | Voice, episode: "Bea Becomes an Adult Fish"[8] | |
| 2010–2013 | Pound Puppies | Agent Ping, Dinky | Voice[8] |
| 2011 | Curious George | Mei | Voice |
| Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness | Song, Ming, Bai Li | Voice[8] | |
| 2012 | Napoleon Dynamite | Tokiko | Voice, episode: "Scantronica Love" |
| 2012–2014 | Supernatural | Mrs. Linda Tran | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | The Newsroom | Kathy Ling | 2 episodes |
| 2013–present | Teen Titans Go! | Gizmo, Jinx | Voice, recurring role[8] |
| 2013–2014 | It's a Small World: The Animated Series | Marmura, Ling | Voice |
| 2014–2016 | Turbo FAST | Hayaku, Translator | Voice, 2 episodes[8] |
| 2014 | The Simpsons | Amy Wong | Voice, episode: "Simpsorama" |
| 2015 | Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero | Sashi's Mom | Voice, episode: "Flurgle Burgle"[8] |
| Pretty Little Liars | Rebecca Marcus | 3 episodes | |
| DC Super Hero Girls | Aliki, Margot, Professor Minerva | Voice, 6 episodes[8] | |
| 2016 | Future-Worm! | Various Characters | 3 episodes |
| Transformers: Rescue Bots | Meili Szeto, Citizen #2 | Voice, episode: "Upgrades"[8] | |
| 2016–2018 | Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia | Mary Wang, Nomura | Voice, 17 episodes[8] |
| 2017–2019 | Andi Mack | Celia Mack | Main role |
| 2018 | Mighty Magiswords | Toni Sento | Voice, episode: "Let's Team Up Because We Aren't Bad Friends"[8] |
| Big City Greens | Various | Voice | |
| 2018–2022 | Disenchantment | Stacy LeBlatt, Miri the Mop Girl, Trixy, Mermaid Queen, additional voices | Voice, 11 episodes |
| 2018–2019 | The Loud House | Cici, Ms. Pham, Burping Burger Mom | Voice, 2 episodes[8] |
| 3Below: Tales of Arcadia | Mary Wang | Voice, 9 episodes[8] | |
| Goliath | Applebees | 5 episodes | |
| 2019 | Pinky Malinky | Bus Driver, Tina | Episode: "Gym"[8] |
| 2019–2021 | Young Justice | Traci Thirteen, Celia Woodward, Penny Randall | Voice, 8 episodes[8] |
| 2019 | The Rookie | Mrs. Chen | Episode: "Tough Love" |
| 2020 | Last Man Standing | Fiona | Episode: "Keep the Change" |
| 2020–2022 | Star Trek: Lower Decks | U.S.S. Vancouver Captain Areore Female |
Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2021 | Rick and Morty | Various | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2021–present | What If...? | Jiayi | Voice, "What If... Hela Found the Ten Rings?"[8] |
| 2021–2023 | DreamWorks Dragons: The Nine Realms | May Wong | Voice[8] |
| 2023 | My Adventures with Superman | Leader Lois | Voice, episode: "Kiss Kiss Fall In Portal" |
| Hailey's On It! | Steal Teal, Aurora Fedora, Felicia, additional voices | 5 episodes[8] | |
| 2024 | Interior Chinatown | Betty |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | King of the Hill | Connie Souphanousinphone | |
| 2002 | Superman: Shadow of Apokolips | Angela Chen, Mercy Graves | [8] |
| 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) | [8] |
| Teen Titans | Jinx, Gizmo | [8] | |
| 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 | Mobile game; uncredited |
| 2018 | Lego DC Super-Villains | Gizmo, Jinx, Dr. Poison | |
| 2020 | Ghost of Tsushima | Lady Masako Adachi | Voice and motion capture[8] |
Stage
edit| 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 |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Lee, Jonathan H. X. (2018). Asian American History Day by Day: A Reference Guide to Events. Abc-Clio. p. 277. ISBN 978-0-313-39928-2.
- ^ a b Tom, Lauren (August 1, 2013). Lauren Tom (Untold Stories). Chinese American Museum. Event occurs at 00:03. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^ Pryor, Tim (October 1993). "Lauren Tom: China Girl". Detour. Archived from the original on July 5, 2007.
- ^ Trachtenberg, Michael (May 2001). "House of the Spirits". In Style Magazine. Archived from the original on 2010-02-10. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ^ Bommer, Lawrence (1990-03-09). "Updated 'Tis Pity' Set In Mussolini's Italy". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Tom, Lauren [@LaurenTom9500] (3 October 2012). "@erictbar @LaurenTom9500 Yep! Glad you had fun with the Monk! :)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Tom, Lauren [@LaurenTom9500] (June 17, 2018). "#HappyFatherDay to @Curtkap Funny, smart, handsome and a fantastic dad to our boys. #hockeydad #footballcoach #myrock Circa 2015. And Happy Father's Day to all dads everywhere. Thanks for all you do!" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au "Lauren Tom (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 14, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
External links
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