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IMDbPro

Vanessa Kai

  • Actress
  • Additional Crew
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Vanessa Kai
A young girl discovers the price of her own freedom.
Play trailer1:08
Smoke and Mirrors (2009)
1 Video
32 Photos
Vanessa Kai is best known for her work on the CW's hit series "Kung Fu". She is a native New Yorker and a first generation Chinese American. Vanessa's passion for acting began at an early age, performing in various school productions. She began her professional training as a drama student at Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, otherwise known as the "FAME" School. Since then, Vanessa continues to hone her craft through a variety of roles in film, television, and theater.

In theater Vanessa's credits are numerous, 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. She was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as "Ruby" in the sold-out, extended world premiere of "KPOP," an Off-Broadway, immersive musical event produced by Ars Nova.

Vanessa's breakthrough role came in 2021 when she was cast as Pei-Ling Zhang in the CW's "Kung Fu". Her powerful portrayal of the mysterious and wise mentor to the show's protagonist, Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang), quickly made her a fan favorite. Vanessa's performance has been praised for its depth, nuance, and authenticity, as well as her martial arts skills which she honed for the role.

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 has also helped to develop plays at New York Stage & Film, the Public Theater, Roundabout Theater Company, Steppenwolf Theatre, The New Group, The Lark Play Development Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and New Dramatists.

Off-screen, Vanessa is an advocate for Asian representation in the entertainment industry and has spoken out about the need for more diverse storytelling. She is also a fitness enthusiast and has been known to incorporate her martial arts training into her workouts.

With her talent, versatility, passion for storytelling, and commitment to diversity Vanessa Kai is a much sought after collaborator.
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Photos32

Vanessa Kai
Vanessa Kai in Kung Fu and Loss
Vanessa Kai in Kung Fu and The Alchemist
Vanessa Kai in Kung Fu and Shifu
Vanessa Kai in Kung Fu
Season 3 of Kung Fu
Vanessa Kai and Eddie Liu in Kung Fu and Loss
Vanessa Kai in Kung Fu and The Scepter
Vanessa Kai in Kung Fu and The Scepter
Vanessa Kai in Kung Fu and Betrayal
Vanessa Kai and Ben Levin in Kung Fu and Betrayal
Vanessa Kai in Kung fu and Betrayal

Known for

Olivia Liang in Kung Fu (2021)
Kung Fu
5.6
TV Series
  • Pei-Ling Zhang
  • The Alchemist
Ryan Eggold in New Amsterdam (2018)
New Amsterdam
8.0
TV Series
  • Dr. Izuka
  • Dr. Suzanne Izuka
Kate Mulgrew, Natasha Lyonne, Selenis Leyva, Laura Prepon, Taylor Schilling, Uzo Aduba, Dascha Polanco, and Danielle Brooks in Orange Is the New Black (2013)
Orange Is the New Black
8.1
TV Series
  • Elizabeth Wilkinson
The Blacklist (2013)
The Blacklist
8.0
TV Series
  • Red's Driver

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actress

  • On the Line
    • Captain Kim
    • Completed
    • Short
  • Olivia Liang in Kung Fu (2021)
    Kung Fu
    • Pei-Ling Zhang
    • The Alchemist
    • TV Series
    • 2021–2023
  • Judy Lei, Leonard Wu, and Vanessa Kai in The World's Greatest (2022)
    The World's Greatest
    • Mom
    • 2022
  • Giulio Berruti and Melanie Zanetti in Gabriel's Inferno: Part One (2020)
    Gabriel's Inferno: Part One
    • Dr. Ling
    • 2020
  • Ryan Eggold in New Amsterdam (2018)
    New Amsterdam
    • Dr. Izuka
    • Dr. Suzanne Izuka
    • TV Series
    • 2018
  • Téa Leoni in Madam Secretary (2014)
    Madam Secretary
    • CIA Agent
    • TV Series
    • 2017
  • Second Chance Christmas (2017)
    Second Chance Christmas
    • Dr. Levitt
    • TV Movie
    • 2017
  • Off the Rails (2017)
    Off the Rails
    • Zara
    • 2017
  • The Blacklist (2013)
    The Blacklist
    • Red's Driver
    • TV Series
    • 2015
  • Kate Mulgrew, Natasha Lyonne, Selenis Leyva, Laura Prepon, Taylor Schilling, Uzo Aduba, Dascha Polanco, and Danielle Brooks in Orange Is the New Black (2013)
    Orange Is the New Black
    • Elizabeth Wilkinson
    • TV Series
    • 2015
  • Behind the Mirror (2015)
    Behind the Mirror
    • Dr. Rezniak
    • 2015
  • Gotham (2014)
    Gotham
    • Board Member #2
    • TV Series
    • 2015
  • Debra Messing in The Mysteries of Laura (2014)
    The Mysteries of Laura
    • Marcia Collinsworth
    • TV Series
    • 2015
  • Justin Theroux in The Leftovers (2014)
    The Leftovers
    • Parent at School
    • TV Series
    • 2014
  • New Poster for 2013 Theatrical Release
    My Last Day Without You
    • Ticketing Agent
    • 2011
  • Among the Joneses (2010)
    Among the Joneses
    • 2010

Additional Crew

  • Day Zero (2007)
    Day Zero
    • adr loop group
    • 2007

Videos1

Smoke and Mirrors
Trailer 1:08
Smoke and Mirrors

Personal details

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  • Official sites
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • Height
    • 5′ 3″ (1.60 m)

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    Graduated from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study with a concentration in Sociobiology and Psychology.

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