Lori Tan Chinn

Lori Tan Chinn
OccupationsActress, comedian
Years active1970–present

Lori Tan Chinn is an American actress and comedian. She played Mei Chang in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black and Awkwafina's grandmother on Comedy Central's Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (2020–2023). Chinn began her acting career on Broadway, where she played Miss Higa Jiga in Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen (1970). She was also a notable member of the Katherine Dunham Company and performed African dance with Syvilla Fort.

Early life

Lori Tan Chinn is the daughter of Hoisan Chinese immigrants to the United States. She grew up in Seattle, Washington.

Chinn moved to New York City by herself in 1969.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1982Author! Author!Mrs. Woo
1985BrassHildaTV movie
1989She-DevilVesta Rose Woman
1990Revealing Evidence: Stalking the Honolulu StranglerPuaTV movie
1991What About Bob?Bus driver
1992Glengarry Glen RossCoat check girl
1995Living in OblivionCostume Designer
1996RansomWoman on Street #3
1999Mickey Blue EyesRestaurant Owner
2001South PacificBloody Mary2003 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Musical
2004From Other WorldsMrs. Kim
2007SecurityMrs. PongShort
2007Year of the FishShuk Yee (voice)Animated film
2008The GuitarMrs. Tzu
2012Miss DMrs. LingShort
2013Final RecipeMrs. Wang
2015Chloe and TheoLandlady
2022Turning RedAuntie Chen (voice)Animated film
2023Joy RideNai Nai
2024Kung Fu Panda 4Granny Boar (voice)Animated film
2026SleepwalkerBai Zhao

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990RoseanneIris4 episodes
1992MathnetMiss JessicaEpisode: "The Case of the Smart Dummy"
1999It's Like, You Know...DaisyEpisode: "Lost in America"
2000Spin CitySamaritan NunEpisode: "Mike's Best Friend's Boyfriend"
2000Law & OrderSEC InvestigatorEpisode: "High & Low"
2005Law & Order: Trial by JuryMrs. ParkEpisode: "The Line"
2013–19Orange is the New BlackMei Chang27 episodes
2020–2023Awkwafina Is Nora from QueensNora's grandmotherstarring role
2023Strange PlanetVoice role
2024A Man on the InsideSusan YangPacific View Retirement Community resident council president
2024Jentry Chau vs. the UnderworldFlora "Gugu" ChauVoice role

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
1970–1971Lovely Ladies, Kind GentlemenMiss Higa Jiga
1979G. R. PointMama-San
1988–1990M. ButterflyComrade Chin, Suzuki, Shu Fan
2015Gotta DanceMae
2015Triassic ParqTwin velociraptor

References

  1. 1 2 Chow, Andrew R. (January 24, 2020). "Lori Tan Chinn Is a Scene-Stealer in Awkwafina's New Series. But the Role Comes After Decades of Harassment and Discrimination". Time. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2020. ... she grew up in Seattle in the 1950s and '60s as the daughter of Hoisan Chinese immigrants... Chinn, now 71,
  2. ↑ "2023's must-see film: meet the talented Asian-American stars of Joy Ride". South China Morning Post. May 21, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  3. ↑ https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/man-on-the-inside-cast/
  4. ↑ Richards, David (February 11, 1988). "Chinese Puzzle; At the National, a Curious 'M. Butterfly'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2015 – via HighBeam Research.
  5. ↑ Cox, Gordon (June 29, 2015). "Stefanie Powers, Georgia Engel Join Cast of Broadway-Bound 'Gotta Dance'". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  6. ↑ Gioia, Michael (October 31, 2011). "Mitchell Jarvis and Lori Tan Chinn Will Lead a Dinosaur Revolution in Triassic Parq NYC Readings". Playbill. Retrieved July 4, 2015.