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TimelineA career at a glance · fact-checked August 2026
The story of Lucy Liu's career, year by year — the roles, the milestones, and the turns that got her here.
Born in Queens, New York
Lucy Alexis Liu is born on December 2, 1968, to immigrant parents from China.
Graduates from Michigan
She earns a B.A. in Asian Languages and Cultures from the University of Michigan.
Ling Woo makes her a star
The producers of Ally McBeal create the imperious Ling Woo for her; Emmy and SAG nods follow.
Charlie's Angels
The blockbuster cements her as a movie star alongside Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz.
Chicago
She shares in the SAG Award-winning ensemble of the Best Picture winner.
O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill
Her ice-cold crime boss becomes an icon and wins an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
Dr. Joan Watson
Seven seasons of Elementary begin, and she becomes a working TV director too.
Becomes a mother
Her son, Rockwell, is born; she raises him as a single parent.
Walk of Fame and a gallery wall
She receives her Hollywood Walk of Fame star and opens her first museum art show, in Singapore.
A late-career peak
Rosemead earns the best reviews of her career and Locarno honors her with a career award.
Prada 2 and Women of the Year
She appears in The Devil Wears Prada 2 and is named to TIME's Women of the Year.
Where to start Full filmography
Read next
- Where to Start — the five roles to begin with.
- Which character are you? — the personality quiz.
- All the guides — every deep-dive in one place.