Ming-Na Wen

About Ming-Na Wen

Wen (whose name means enlightenment) began her professional career in the Playwrights Horizon presentation of "Tiny Mommy". She went on to appear for three seasons as Lien Hughes in the on-going daytime serial "As the World Turns". In her second feature, "Street Fighter" (1994), Wen appeared as a kick-boxing TV reporter opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia. She had a recurring role as an ambitious third-year med student during the freshman year of the NBC medical drama "ER" (1995). Wen was subsequently cast as a regular on the sitcom "The Single Guy" (NBC, 1995-97) as Trudy, the caustic owner of a SoHo art gallery. When the series ended, she headed to Broadway where she debuted in David Henry Hwang's "Golden Child" (1998). That same year, Wen also provided the speaking voice for the Disney animated heroine "Mulan".

Partners

Husband

Eric Michael Zee. married in 1995

Education

Mt. Lebanon High School, Mt. Lebanon , Pennsylvania

Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania

Career Milestones

2001

Provided voice for the leading character of Dr. Aki Ross in the CGI animated feature "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within"

2000

Rejoined "ER" reprising her role as Jing-Mei (Deb) Chen; signed to remain with show through the 2002-2003 season

1998

Voiced the title character in Disney's animated "Mulan"

1998

Broadway debut as co-star of "Golden Child", written by David Henry Hwang

Cast as regular on the sitcom on "The Single Guy" (NBC)

1995

Appeared in recurring role of med student Deb Chen on NBC drama "ER"

1993

TV movie debut, "Blind Spot"

1993

Breakthrough feature, "The Joy Luck Club"

1992

Feature acting debut, "Rain Without Thunder"

1988

Appeared as Lien Hughes in the daytime soap, "As the World Turns"; first Asian actor in a contract role on a soap

Off-Broadway debut, "Tiny Mommy"

Returned to New York upon graduation

Appeared in regional productions while attending college

Moved to Pittsburgh with family

Moved to Queens, New York at age five with her mother and older brother

Lived in Hong Kong