Happy Birthday, Sandra Oh: Fem Film Rogue Icon Spotlight

On this day, fun and edgy Sandra Oh, newly cemented American, was born.

Although a star of the underrated HBO series Arli$$, Sandra Oh's screen presence took off in a memorable co-starring turn as Dr. Cristana Yang in Shonda Rhimes hit show, Grey's Anatomy. Oh's sharp, sarcastic Yang had a heart of gold beneath a seemingly icy exterior that few could crack. Later, the gorgeous, multi-talented actress would star in films like the Oscar winning Sideways, Tammy, and Catfight. She has also lent her voice to The Proud Family, Robot Chicken, American Dragon: Jake Long, and She-Ra Princess of Power.

Oh is an actor's actor with a deep appreciation for theatre. Maybe Broadway and a Tony will be calling her name too.

Oh's first starring film was the Canadian feature The Diary of Evelyn Lau, a dark drama based on real-life Canadian poet/novelist, Evelyn Lau. This film essentially broadcasts Oh as a phenomenal actress, her performance layered in tremendous depth and authenticity leading a heartbreaking-turned-triumphant story. Also, Lau, whose birthday was July 2, and Oh are both Cancers born in the same year.

Grey's Anatomy put Oh on the map. She won her first Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (second Asian actress after Yoko for Shogun to win this honor), a SAG (both singular and as part of the ensemble cast), a People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Character We Miss The Most, and was nominated for five consecutive Emmys and four Image Awards.

Sandra Oh sleek white business suit in Time 100.

In other women directed film and television, Oh shines bright. Beyond the exception of Rhimes, brilliant writer/director Mina Shum, also an Asian-Canadian, has had Oh star in several prominent films centering Asian identity in Canada-- Double Happiness, Long Life, Prosperity, and Happiness, and Meditation Park. She was also in the late Audrey Wells' Guinevere and Under the Tuscan Sun. In the latter, Oh plays the pregnant girlfriend to Kate Walsh's character (Walsh was on Grey's Anatomy before receiving her own spin-off series, Private Practice). Oh, however, has taken major notice, starring as the titular Eve in the juicy cat and mouse thriller, Killing Eve helmed by the amazing Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Since then Oh has been listed on the Time 100 list and picked up a second Golden Globe (the first Asian descent actor/actress to score two, let alone host the awards show), another SAG Award, a Critics Choice Award, and a second Emmy nomination. In fact, she has received two Emmy nods for both Killing Eve and guest hosting Saturday Night Live (here's hoping she wins one or both).

As for Oh's Emmy nominated Saturday Night Live guest hosting, she was absolutely terrific-- putting forth humorous performance after performance that murders ugly Asian stereotypes, on this ill-perceived notion that Asian actors are incapable of expressing emotion (completely false). Yes, Cristina Yang and Eve have moments of hilarity, but seeing Oh be plain funny in various sketches, become many characters in an hour was a bonafide treat. The woman is talented and deserves quality roles worthy of her impressive dexterity.

Sandra Oh happily receiving her second Golden Globe.

Up next, Oh's second season of Killing Eve just ended. She will be lending her voice for the animated superhero series Invincible (which co-stars the awesome Steven Yeun).

Still hoping for that Sandra Oh and Lucy Liu (the first Asian descent actress to host Saturday Night Live) buddy film someday. They both starred in 3 Needles, but shared no scenes together. 

"It's an honor just to be Asian," -- Sandra Oh with her parents and others.

Best Sandra Oh quotes:

"I grew up never seeing myself on screen. It's really important for me to give people who look like me a chance to see themselves. I want to see myself as a hero to any story. I want to see myself save the world from a bomb."

"I think the roles in television are better for women right now. At this point, I don't want to continue doing the same things I've been doing in film because it's very limited."

"Hollywood likes to put actors in boxes, and likes to put Asian actors in really small boxes."

"I did not start acting until I was 10. I started dancing when I was four, though. My parents were not the ones who brought me to acting. I brought myself, and when I found it, I could never go back. I was very fortunate because although I loved dance [ballet] with all my heart, I knew I was not good enough to be a professional dancer. I knew I loved performing. Still, nothing beats being on stage for me; I prefer the stage."

"First of all in Canada, someone like me can be a star, a leading lady. In the U.S., much more difficult. They always want to keep you in the supporting roles. It is also debatable if there is even a star system in Canada, or an indigenous film industry. Canada is still at the mercy of the U.S. film industry. In Canada, it is very difficult to make a living as an actor...In the U.S., there is more drive towards a certain kind of broad reaching success, and with that comes much more stress and sacrifice. In Canada, even if you are very successful, you can lead a very normal and healthy life. Maybe not much glamour or wealth or world reaching success, but quite normal."

I grew up never seeing myself on-screen, and it's really important to me to give people who look like me a chance to see themselves. I want to see myself as the hero of any story. I want to see myself save the world from the bomb.
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/sandra_oh

I grew up never seeing myself on-screen, and it's really important to me to give people who look like me a chance to see themselves. I want to see myself as the hero of any story. I want to see myself save the world from the bomb.
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/sandra_oh