Vanessa Kai
- Actress
- Writer
Vanessa Kai is a theater, film, and television actor.
Upcoming projects include Netflix’s The Last Mrs. Parrish starring Jennifer Lopez. Directed by Academy Award winner, Robert Zemekis.
Other notable projects include a series regular role in CW's hit series Kung Fu (2021) , produced by Warner Bros. As Pei-Ling Zhang, Vanessa portrayed the mysterious and wise mentor to the show's protagonist, Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang). Vanessa has also appeared in a recurring role as the fashion editor-in-chief, Gisela Mott, on Elsbeth (2024) 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. Vanessa has also performed in prominent theaters such as Playwrights Horizons, Second Stage, and New York's City Center.
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, Playwrights Realm, New Dramatists, and many others.
Vanessa is a native New Yorker and a first generation Chinese American.
Upcoming projects include Netflix’s The Last Mrs. Parrish starring Jennifer Lopez. Directed by Academy Award winner, Robert Zemekis.
Other notable projects include a series regular role in CW's hit series Kung Fu (2021) , produced by Warner Bros. As Pei-Ling Zhang, Vanessa portrayed the mysterious and wise mentor to the show's protagonist, Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang). Vanessa has also appeared in a recurring role as the fashion editor-in-chief, Gisela Mott, on Elsbeth (2024) 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. Vanessa has also performed in prominent theaters such as Playwrights Horizons, Second Stage, and New York's City Center.
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, Playwrights Realm, New Dramatists, and many others.
Vanessa is a native New Yorker and a first generation Chinese American.
