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Vanessa Kai

Acting

Vanessa Kai

Vanessa Kai is an actress born on September 18, 1982 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.. She is known for Second Chance Christmas and Off the Rails. GloboWatch shows where to watch one of her movies and TV shows, country by country.

Known for
Acting
Born
September 18, 1982
Place of birth
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Also known as
Vanessa Kwong

Biography

VANESSA KAI is best known for her work in CW's hit series "Kung Fu". Most recently, you can find Vanessa in a recurring role as Gisela Mott on "Elsbeth" starring Carrie Preston on CBS. In theater, Vanessa Kai was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as "Ruby" in the world premiere of "KPOP," an Off-Broadway, immersive musical event produced by Ars Nova. Other notable credits include the world premieres of "The Pain of My Belligerence" at Playwrights Horizons, "Somebody's Daughter" at Second Stage and "The Architecture of Becoming" at New York's City Center. Vanessa's breakthrough role came in 2020 when she was cast as Pei-Ling Zhang in CW's hit series "Kung Fu", produced by Warner Bros. Her powerful portrayal of the mysterious and wise mentor to the show's protagonist, Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang), has been praised for its depth and nuance that quickly made her a fan favorite. Before "Kung Fu", Vanessa appeared in a number of other television series and films, including "New Amsterdam", "Orange Is the New Black", "The Mysteries of Laura", "The Blacklist", "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", and "Madam Secretary". A champion of new works Kai is much sought after for her collaborative spirit and her love of world building, and has helped to develop new plays at New York Stage & Film, Public Theater, SoHo Rep., Roundabout Theater Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, Steppenwolf Theatre, Eugene O’Neill Theatre, Two River Theater, The New Group, The Lark Play Development Center, Baltimore Center Stage, Playwrights Realm, New Dramatists, and many others. Vanessa is a native New Yorker and a first generation Chinese American.

Filmography

  1. 2024Elsbethas Gisela Mott · 2 episodes
  2. 2021Kung Fuas Pei-Ling Zhang · 39 episodes
  3. 2020Gabriel's Infernoas Dr. Ling
  4. 2018New Amsterdamas Suzanne Izuka · 2 episodes
  5. 2017Second Chance Christmasas Dr. Levitt
  6. 2017Off the Railsas Zara
  7. 2017Disconnectedas Dr. Levitt
  8. 2014Gothamas Board Member · 1 episode
  9. 2014Madam Secretaryas CIA Agent · 1 episode
  10. 2014The Mysteries of Lauraas Marcia Collinsworth · 1 episode
  11. 2014The Leftoversas Parent at School · 1 episode
  12. 2013Orange Is the New Blackas Elizabeth Wilkinson · 1 episode
  13. 2009A NY Thingas Cool Girl
  14. 2008Death in Loveas Asian Woman
  15. 1999Law & Order: Special Victims Unitas Reporter · 1 episode