Constance Wu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Constance Wu
Wu at the NYFF in 2024
Born	(1982-03-22) March 22, 1982 (age 43) Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Education	State University of New York, Purchase (BFA)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2006–present
Partner(s)	Ryan Kattner
Children	2

Constance Wu (born March 22, 1982) is an American actress. She is well-known for her roles in popular TV shows and movies. Her big break came with the TV show Fresh Off the Boat. She also starred in the hit movie Crazy Rich Asians. This role made her famous around the world.

Constance Wu has also appeared in other TV shows. These include EastSiders and The Terminal List. She also lent her voice to the character Daphne Blake in the animated series Velma. Wu is a strong supporter of Asian actors in American media. She wants to see more diverse faces on screen. In 2017, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people.

Early Life and Education

Constance Wu was born in Richmond, Virginia. Her family came from Taiwan. Her father, Fang-Sheng Wu, is a biology professor. Her mother works as a computer programmer. Constance has three older sisters. She has shared that her grandparents were very poor. They worked as bamboo farmers and could not read or write.

She went to Douglas S. Freeman High School in Henrico County. There, she performed in local plays. She also joined a special acting program for six months. After high school, she studied acting at the State University of New York at Purchase. She earned a degree in acting in 2005.

After college, Wu moved to Los Angeles to continue her acting career. She has said that director Ang Lee inspired her.

Career Highlights

Early Roles and Fresh Off the Boat

Constance Wu in 2015

In New York City, Constance Wu started acting in plays and independent films. Her first movie role was in Stephanie Daley (2006). She also appeared in TV shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Torchwood. In 2010, she moved to Los Angeles.

From 2012 to 2017, Wu starred in the web series EastSiders. She won awards for her work on this show. In 2014, Wu got the main role in the ABC comedy series Fresh Off the Boat. She starred alongside Randall Park. The show was based on the life of chef Eddie Huang. It premiered in 2015. Constance Wu received great praise for her acting. Many people called her a breakout star. She was nominated for many awards for her role as Jessica Huang.

Film Success and Stage Work

In 2017, Constance Wu was named one of the world's most influential people by Time magazine. In February 2017, she was chosen for the lead role in Crazy Rich Asians. This movie was based on a popular book. It was released in 2018. It was the first major Hollywood movie in a long time to have an all-Asian cast.

The film was a huge success. It earned a lot of money and was loved by critics. Wu's performance was highly praised. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. She was the first Asian woman in over 40 years to get this nomination. She is expected to appear in the sequels to Crazy Rich Asians.

In 2019, Wu starred in the movie .... This film also did very well at the box office. She also appeared in the independent drama film I Was a Simple Man. More recently, she played Mrs. Primm in the movie Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022). In 2022, she also acted in the play 2:22 A Ghost Story in Los Angeles. In 2023, she voiced Daphne Blake in the animated series Velma. She also performed in the musical Little Shop of Horrors. In 2024, she acted in the drama film The Friend.

Other Ventures

Activism and Helping Others

Constance Wu in 2020

Constance Wu is a strong advocate for Asian representation in American media. She believes it is important to see more diverse actors in movies and TV. She has shared her own experiences of being denied roles because of her background. She hopes her success will open doors for other diverse actors.

In 2017, Wu worked with Miry's List. This group helps new immigrant and refugee families in Southern California. She wants to support people who bravely move to a new country for peace and safety.

Writing

Constance Wu wrote her first book, a memoir called Making a Scene. It was released in October 2022.

Personal Life

Constance Wu lives in Los Angeles. She has two children with her partner, Ryan Kattner. Her first child, a girl, was born in 2020. She welcomed her second child, a son, in 2023.

In 2019, after Fresh Off the Boat was renewed, Wu shared her feelings about it on social media. She later explained that she was upset because it meant she had to miss out on another project she really wanted to do. She took a break from social media and reduced her acting work to focus on her well-being.

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage

Music Videos

• "Family Feud" (2017) by Jay-Z featuring Beyoncé

Awards and Nominations

Constance Wu has received many awards and nominations for her acting. These include nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She has also been nominated for several Critics' Choice Television Awards.

See also

In Spanish: Constance Wu para niños