Lauren Tom is an Obie Award-winning actress, known for her roles as a dutiful daughter in the film The Joy Luck Club, as Ross’ girlfriend Julie on the classic NBC sitcom “Friends” and as Mrs. Tran on “Supernatural.” She also lent her voice talents on the animated series “Futurama” as the beloved character, Amy.
On television, Tom starred as a series regular in “Andi Mack” on The Disney Channel and on the Guillermo Del Toro series, “3Below: Tales of Arcadia” and “Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia.” She had a recurring role in the Amazon series, “Goliath,” alongside Billy Bob Thornton, and as Lucy’s mom in ABC’s “The Rookie.” Tom was a series regular on the ABC series “Men in Trees,” NBC’s “DAG” and ABC’s “Grace Under Fire,” with Brett Butler. She also had a recurring stint on the Showtime series, “Barbershop.”
On the big screen, Tom appeared in the films Grandma, with Lily Tomlin, Bad Santa, In Good Company, When a Man Loves a Woman, Mr. Jones, With Friends Like These, Catfish in Black Bean Sauce and Manhood.
Tom’s other voice work can be heard in the animated series “King of the Hill,” “Codename: Kids Next Door,” “Teacher’s Pet,” “Rocket Power,” “Max Steel,” “Batman,” “Superman,” “Kim Possible,” “Baby Clifford,” “American Dragon” and the animated home video, “Mulan II.”
On Broadway, Tom appeared in A Chorus Line, Hurlyburly and Doonesbury and has worked with directors such as Peter Sellars and Joanne Akalaitis at the Goodman and Guthrie Theaters, the La Jolla Playhouse and the Kennedy Center.
Her one-woman show, 25 Psychics, an engaging, humorous look at her quest for inner peace, premiered at HBO’s U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. The show received Dramalogue Awards for Best Performance and Best Direction.
Tom can also be seen in her first motion capture game, “Ghost of Tsushima,” as Lady Masako.
Tom has also published personal essays in Brain, Child Magazine, East West Woman, Strut and Freshyarn.com, and is currently writing a book based on these essays.