Vanessa Kai
- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Vanessa Kai is best known for her work in CW's hit series "Kung Fu".
Most recently, Vanessa has appeared in a recurring role as Gisela Mott on "Elsbeth" starring Carrie Preston on CBS.
In theater, Vanessa was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as "Ruby" in the world premiere of "KPOP," an Off-Broadway, immersive musical event produced by Ars Nova. Other notable credits include the world premieres of "The Pain of My Belligerence" at Playwrights Horizons, "Somebody's Daughter" at Second Stage and "The Architecture of Becoming" at New York's City Center.
Vanessa Kai was cast as a series regular in CW's hit series "Kung Fu", produced by Warner Bros. As Pei-Ling Zhang, Vanessa Kai's powerful portrayal of the mysterious and wise mentor to the show's protagonist, Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang), has been praised for its depth and nuance that quickly made her a fan favorite.
Additional film and television credits include "New Amsterdam", "Orange Is the New Black", "The Mysteries of Laura", "The Blacklist", "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", and "Madam Secretary".
A champion of new works Kai is much sought after for her collaborative spirit and love of world building, and has helped to develop new plays at New York Stage & Film, Public Theater, SoHo Rep., Roundabout Theater Company, Steppenwolf Theatre, Eugene O'Neill Theatre, The Lark Play Development Center, The New Group, Playwrights Realm, New Dramatists, and many others.
Vanessa is a native New Yorker and a first generation Chinese American.
Most recently, Vanessa has appeared in a recurring role as Gisela Mott on "Elsbeth" starring Carrie Preston on CBS.
In theater, Vanessa was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as "Ruby" in the world premiere of "KPOP," an Off-Broadway, immersive musical event produced by Ars Nova. Other notable credits include the world premieres of "The Pain of My Belligerence" at Playwrights Horizons, "Somebody's Daughter" at Second Stage and "The Architecture of Becoming" at New York's City Center.
Vanessa Kai was cast as a series regular in CW's hit series "Kung Fu", produced by Warner Bros. As Pei-Ling Zhang, Vanessa Kai's powerful portrayal of the mysterious and wise mentor to the show's protagonist, Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang), has been praised for its depth and nuance that quickly made her a fan favorite.
Additional film and television credits include "New Amsterdam", "Orange Is the New Black", "The Mysteries of Laura", "The Blacklist", "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", and "Madam Secretary".
A champion of new works Kai is much sought after for her collaborative spirit and love of world building, and has helped to develop new plays at New York Stage & Film, Public Theater, SoHo Rep., Roundabout Theater Company, Steppenwolf Theatre, Eugene O'Neill Theatre, The Lark Play Development Center, The New Group, Playwrights Realm, New Dramatists, and many others.
Vanessa is a native New Yorker and a first generation Chinese American.
