Ming-Na
Ming-Na (formerly Ming-Na Wen) returns to 'ER' as the competitive Deb Chen, now a third-year resident. She first won attention with her critically acclaimed performance as June in Wayne Wang's feature film 'The Joy Luck Club,' based on Amy Tan's best-selling novel.
A sense of belonging did not come easily to Ming-Na. She was born in Macau, China, but her family immigrated to New York City when she was four. There she learned English and discovered that acting was a great way to be accepted by her new peers when she performed in a third-grade Easter play. Having moved to Pittsburgh when she was nine, Ming-Na later graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with high honors and a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater. Her family remains in Pittsburgh, where they run a successful Chinese restaurant.
Upon returning to New York, Ming-Na performed off-Broadway, where she was discovered and then cast on 'As the World Turns,' in the first contract role for an Asian actor in daytime television. She also worked on the New York stage with Tony Award winner Lanford Wilson in 'Redwood Curtain,' became a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre, and produced many plays. Her other theater credits include working with Tony Award winners Mel Shapiro and James Lapine in David Mamet's 'Speed the Plow' at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, and starring in the world premiere of Lapine's 'Luck, Pluck & Virtue' at the renowned La Jolla Playhouse.
Through her work, Ming-Na has traveled extensively. After completing 'The Joy Luck Club' in Shanghai, she toured with her mother throughout China and met all of her family for the first time. 'It was one of the most beautiful, intense experiences in my life,' she says. 'It was very similar to my last scene in the film. It's funny how life and art can sometimes intertwine so intimately.' She has also traveled to Paris, Brussels, Hong Kong, Manila, Mexico and Vancouver. Ming-Na worked in Thailand and Australia on the film 'Streetfighter,' in which she played the female lead, Chun-Li, opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme and the late Raul Julia.
In the past, Ming-Na hosted the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus Institute Inaugural Dinner in Washington, D.C., where she formally met President Clinton. She also produced 'Exit the Dragon,' her first play in Los Angeles, and formed her own production company to produce plays and develop films. A few years ago, Ming-Na was included on People magazine's list of the 50 Most Beautiful People.