Biography
Asian-American actor-writer of stage, film, and TV who gained national attention playing the quirky outspoken grandmother (several decades her senior) on the groundbreaking sitcom "All-American Girl" (ABC, 1994-95). Hill pulled off the illusion with the assistance of her doughy but expressive features, ample physique, and a flair for vocal and physical mannerisms. Her sassy asides were often the show's comic highlights.
The daughter of a …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
2003 | Appeared as Mrs Kwan in the film adaption of "Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat" | |
2000 | Was featured in the East West Players production of "Follies"; played showgirl Hattie Walker who sings "Broadway Baby" | |
1997 | Joined cast of the NBC sitcom "The Naked Truth" | |
1995 | Cast as regular on the short-lived ABC sitcom "Maybe This Time" | |
1994 | Became a writer for "The Puzzle Place", a daily, mulitcultural preschool series (aired on PBS from 1/95) | |
1994 | TV series debut as a regular, playing Grandma on the ABC sitcom "All-American Girl" | |
| Hosted an Asian-American teen talkshow, "Get Real" | ||
| Produced and hosted a public access cable show that celebrated Asian-Pacific Americans in arts and entertainment | ||
1993 | Appeared (uncredited) in Wang's "The Joy Luck Club" | |
1992 | Narrated "Troubled Paradise", a PBS documentary directed by Okazaki about social and political problems facing Hawaii's indigenous population | |
| Performed "Tokyo Bound" in the "Festival of New Voices" at the Public Theater in NYC | ||
| Performed "Tokyo Bound" in Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles | ||
| Wrote and starred in a one-woman show entitled "Tokyo Bound" | ||
1990 | Acted in a recurring role on the ABC sitcom, "Perfect Strangers" | |
1988 | Appeared in "Dim Sum Take-Outs", a comedy short directed by Wang | |
1988 | First appearance in a major Hollywood movie, "Scrooged" | |
1987 | TV acting debut, a guest shot on "The Tracey Ullman Show" | |
1985 | Narrated "Unfinished Business", a documentary directed by Steven Okazaki | |
1985 | Feature acting debut, "Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart", directed by Wayne Wang | |
| Worked for eight years on the California stage, amassing over 30 credits in productions at San Francisco's Asian-American Theater Company, the Eureka Theater, the Berkeley Repertory Theater, the Mark Taper Forum, the East-West Players, and the Los Angeles Theater Center | ||
| Became a busy voice-over performer and improvisation artist in the California Bay Area | ||
| Returned to the USA; attended the American Conservatory Theater | ||
| By age 21, had traveled through Asia, the Middle East and Europe on her own | ||
| Began working part-time in Japanese radio and TV | ||
| Studied for six years at Sophia International University in Tokyo | ||
1972 | Traveled to Japan at age 18 (date approximate) | |
| Grew up in the isolated South Dakota countryside | ||