Joan Wong was born and raised in Oakland/San Francisco, California, a vibrant and eclectic city that would later influence her diverse interests and passions. Born to Jack and Yan Wong, she was the eldest sibling, with a younger sister, May. Growing up, Joan was surrounded by her extended family, including her uncle, Wong Jack Man, a renowned Kung-Fu Master, who was famously involved in a duel with the legendary Bruce Lee in 1964. This unique family dynamic exposed Joan to the world of martial arts from a young age, as she would often play Kung-Fu games with her cousins Chris and Stephanie, as well as train briefly with her uncle at his studio in Fort Mason, San Francisco.
As a child, Joan was immersed in her Chinese heritage, with her parents encouraging her to maintain her Cantonese language skills and cultural traditions. This strong sense of identity would later influence her performances and roles. Joan's early love of performing was evident, as she took part in various activities, including Chinese Folk Dancing, piano, singing, Ballroom Dancing, and even putting on skits and magic shows for family and friends. Her passion for performing was further nurtured through her participation in school plays, which ultimately led to her falling in love with acting.
After graduating from Cal State University of Northridge with a degree in Business Management Science, Joan decided to stay in Los Angeles, where she began exploring the world of modeling and acting. She had the opportunity to travel to Bangkok, Thailand, where she modeled, hosted events, and recorded radio commercials. This experience not only honed her skills as a performer but also sparked a newfound love for sports and racing, which led to her being sponsored by Team Birel to compete in professional Go-Kart racing. As one of the few female top racers, Joan was even asked to participate in composition car racing, although she ultimately chose to return to her true calling in acting.
Joan's dedication to her craft led her to study with some of the most renowned acting institutions and coaches, including East-West Players, The Groundlings, Meisner Technique, and The Beverly Hills Playhouse, which she considers her artistic home. She has also had the privilege of training with industry greats, such as Oscar-winning writer/director Paul Haggis. In addition to her acting training, Joan has also explored other disciplines, including boxing training with The Saucedo Brothers, who are sponsored by the legendary Oscar De La Hoya, and Wushu Kung-Fu training with Master Hu Jianqiang.
Joan's extensive training and experience have enabled her to land roles in numerous television shows and films, including ARLI$$, Rock Me Baby, Monk, The Closer, Touch, and many more. She has also had the opportunity to work with talented individuals, such as Whitney Cummings in Pet Friendly, and is set to appear in the anticipated debut film The Way, directed by Khalili Dastan, as well as the comedy film White Now Please, directed by Kyle Lau. With her diverse range of skills and experiences, Joan Wong is sure to continue making a name for herself in the entertainment industry, with many exciting projects on the horizon.
