Zoë Chao
Zoë Carol Chao (born September 19, 1985) is an American TV and stage actress and screenwriter prominently known for her role as Isobel in Strangers.
Zoë Chao | |
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Born | [1] | September 19, 1985
Education | |
Occupation |
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Early life
Chao was born in Providence, Rhode Island.[1] Her mother has Anglo-Irish roots, and her father is a second-generation Chinese American.[2] Chao has also stated that she grew up in a family of visual arts.[2] She received her BA in art history from Brown University and her MFA from the graduate acting program at UCSD.[3]
Career
Chao has participated in theatre productions, like La Jolla Playhouses' Sideways, Surf Report, and WoW Festivals' Our Town. Additionally, she appeared in Ensemble Theatre Company's Amadeus. In 2016, Chao appeared in the off-Broadway play Friend Art at Second Stage.[4] Chao has worked alongside directors Christopher Guest, Les Waters, Ping Chong, and Chris Ashley.
Chao also starred in her own TV series The God Particles, which she wrote and produced. Chao co-produced the 2017 short Like Animals. She is perhaps best known for starring as Isobel in Strangers.[5] The first three episodes were screened at the Sundance Film Festival.[6]
Personal life
During the filming of Strangers, Chao had to move from New York City to Los Angeles.[2]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | My Girlfriend's Abroad | ||
2014 | The Gordon Game | Wife | Short |
The God Particles | Rue | ||
2015 | Dirty Beautiful | Jamie | |
Dirty Garden | Short | ||
Center Pedal | Y | Short | |
2017 | Like Animals | Mary | Short |
2019 | Where'd You Go, Bernadette | Soo-Lin | |
2019 | Almost Love | Haley | |
2020 | Downhill | Rosie | |
The High Note | Katie | ||
I Used to Go Here | Laura |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | The Protector | BAO House Girl | Episode: "Beef" |
2012 | Hart of Dixie | Dr. Lee | Episode: "Disaster Drills & Departures" |
2014 | God Particles | Rue | 4 episodes |
2014 | The Comeback | Shayna | 4 episodes |
2015 | Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn | Ms. Nakamura | Episode: "Sweet Foot Rides" |
2015 | Monster Girls | Halfoff | TV short |
2016 | Rizzoli & Isles | Mimi Tanaka | Episode: "A Shot in the Dark" |
2016 | That's What She Said | TV miniseries | |
2017–2018 | Strangers | Isobel | Main role |
2019 | The OA | Mo | 2 episodes |
2019 | Living with Yourself | Kaylyn | Recurring role |
2020–present | Love Life | Sara Yang | Main role |
TBA | The Afterparty | Zoe | Upcoming role |
Awards and nominations
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Best Female Performance in a Comedy | International Academy of Web Television Awards | Won |
References
- "ZOË CHAO". ISSUE Magazine. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
BIRTH DATE: 9/19/85 BIRTH PLACE: Providence, RHODE ISLAND
- "In 'Strangers,' Actress Zoe Chao Explores Bisexuality and the Late-20s Identity Crisis". NBC News. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- "STRANGERS- An original series by Mia Lidofsky". indiegogo.com. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- "In the Comic 'Friend Art,' Some Opinions Are Better Left Unsaid". New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ""Strangers" Is The Show Nailing The Hilarious, Sad Struggles of Adulting". refinery29.com. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- "Refinery29 Debuts Scripted Series 'Strangers' at Sundance". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved November 28, 2017.