Rosalind Chao

Rosalind Chao (born September 23, 1957) is a renowned American actress, famously recognized for her diverse characters, which she effortlessly portrayed on both the small and silver screen. One of her notable roles was Soon-Lee Klinger in the mid-1980s CBS show AfterMASH. Additionally, she enamored audiences with her portrayal of Rose Hsu Jordan in the 1993 movie The Joy Luck Club, and continually intrigued viewers with the recurring character Keiko O'Brien on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the 1990s. Past this, she brought to life the character of Dr. Kim on The O.C. in 2003. She also played Hua Li, Mulan's mother, in the live-action 2020 remake of Mulan, and notably starred as Ye Wenjie in the 2024 Netflix production of 3 Body Problem.

Born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Anaheim, her parents were performers with the Peking opera before their successful venture into the restaurant business at Anaheim. Chao's segue into acting began at the tender age of five, and her talent was nurtured in the California-based Peking opera traveling company. She initially contemplated a career in journalism, earning a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California in 1978. Her roles span from TV series like MAS*H to acclaimed films like The Joy Luck Club and I Am Sam. She continues to contribute to the film industry, accepting roles such as Mulan's mother in the 2020 live-action retelling of Mulan, establishing her name as a prominent figure in Hollywood.