Biography

Born and raised in Azusa, California, one of Los Angeles' roughest neighborhoods, Chan grew up surrounded by immigrant families. Her childhood memories are flavored with the aroma of homemade tortillas, and the sound of rustling corn stalks in urban backyards. As a child, she was drawn to performing, and received a solid acting foundation at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). While there, she studied a variety of conservatory theatrical techniques including Meisner, Adler, Suzuki, voice, speech, and criticism. When she was only 15 years old, she attended New York University where she studied at the famed Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Chan was the youngest person to join this critically acclaimed school for the performing arts.

Since leaving New York in 2007, Chan has toured all over the world, receiving accolades for her work. In Los Angeles, Chan has performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, as well as the Orange County Performing Arts Center. In addition to her starring role in "Hail Satan!" her acting credits include an appearance on CBS' new reality dating show "Excused," an appearance on MTV's "Your Chance to Dance," the award-winning trailer "Kiss Before the Slaughter," along with starring roles in several edgy indie films. Her commercial credits include a prominent role in a national and international commercial for "Lord of the Rings" online game as well as the infomercial TopStyler®. Chan continues to grow and push herself through a variety of acting classes including the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. Her ultimate goal is to secure more challenging dramatic and comedic roles in both television and film. Chan's hope is to bring innovative stories to life that challenge, excite and embolden people to live life to the fullest with courage and honesty.

In addition to her acting career, Chan has lived and studied abroad. She learned traditional West African dance and drumming while living in Ghana, West Africa and also traveled extensively around the continent. When she isn't performing, Chan enjoys volunteering with humanitarian organizations. Chan's proudest achievement was as an international observer in an armed conflict in Mexico, where she was held at gunpoint and saved lives. During her limited free time, she enjoys exploring abandoned urban buildings as well as crumbling relics in the desert, forest and other natural areas. Chan resides in Los Angeles.
- IMDb mini biography by: Mike De Trana

Exploring old, abandoned buildings, desert dwellings, catacombs and other crumbling relics is one of Denesa's favorite pastimes.

Denesa lived and studied abroad in Ghana, West Africa for a year and traveled alone throughout the continent, picking up some French, Twi and Hausa along the way. She also did humanitarian work in Mexico and Guatemala for which she was threatened with an M-16.

Denesa Chan grew up in the rough and tumble city of Azusa, CA, among recent Latino immigrant families. Her childhood memories are filled with the smells and sounds of homemade tortillas and corn stalks growing in urban backyards.