Jennifer Tilly, a talented actress, has captivated audiences with her versatility, effortlessly conveying a range of emotions from funny to sexy, compassionate, and compelling, often simultaneously. Her impressive career spans unforgettable characters, starting with her early beginnings in the entertainment industry.
Born Jennifer Ellen Chan in Harbor City, Los Angeles, to Harry Chan, a used car salesman of Chinese origin, and Patricia (née Tilly),a schoolteacher and stage actress, Jennifer's family background is rich in artistic heritage. Her sister, Meg Tilly, is also an accomplished actress. Jennifer and her family relocated to rural Texada Island, British Columbia, where she was raised by her mother and stepfather, John Ward.
Jennifer's breakthrough in the horror comedy franchise "Child's Play" came with Ronny Yu's Bride of Chucky (1998),where she created the iconic character Tiffany, reviving the series with a new direction. In Rogue Pictures' Seed of Chucky (2004),she reprised her role as Tiffany and also played herself, the favorite actress of the deadly doll, who unwittingly becomes a hostess in more ways than one.
Jennifer's impressive vocal range has earned her recognition for her voiceover work as Tiffany in various films, including Home on the Range (2004),The Haunted Mansion (2003),and the Pixar blockbuster Monsters, Inc. (2001),where she voiced Mike's love interest Celia.
Jennifer's journey began as a teenager, when she put herself through the theater program at Stephens College in Missouri by winning writing competitions. She then moved to Los Angeles, California, where she continued to act on stage, earning a Dramalogue Award for her performance in "Vanities". Movies and television soon followed, recognizing her unique voice and visage.
In 2001, Jennifer starred in the Broadway revival of "The Women" alongside Cynthia Nixon and Kristen Johnson, which was later taped for and broadcast on PBS. In 2008, she appeared in the critically acclaimed production of Wallace Shawn's play "Grasses of a Thousand Colors" at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Her extensive theatrical credits include "Tartuffe", "Boy's Life", "Baby with the Bathwater", and many more.
Jennifer's personal life is also marked by her passion for poker. In 2005, she met her boyfriend, professional poker player Phil Laak, also known as the Unabomber. That summer, she won the Ladies Event at the World Series of Poker, defeating a field of 601 players and earning a coveted gold bracelet. She followed this up by winning the WPT Ladies Invitational, joining an elite group holding both a WSOP bracelet and a WPT title. In summer 2010, she also won the Bellagio Cup 5k tournament.
