FROM playing minor, one-episode roles in shows like How I Met Your Mother (Cook Pu) and American Dad! (a Korean Spy,) Hong Chau has been on the rise to stardom since she first starred in Downsizing (2017), where she movingly played the role of political activist Ngoc Lan Tran.
Since then, she’s starred in the Academy Award-nominated film, The Whale (2022). From the roles she’s played, there’s no secret that Chau is an incredibly diverse actor; she can play a caring nurse, a strict restaurant manager, or anything else in between. So for those that are hungry for a taste of more of Chau’s acting prowess, here’s where you can see more of her.
- BoJack Horseman as Pickles Aplenty (2014-2020)
Perhaps the most surprising on this list, Chau plays the role of a young female pug named Pickles Aplenty, a waitress-slash-social-media-influencer. While discussing their divorce at a restaurant, Mr. Peanutbutter–one of the show’s main characters–starts dating Pickles, a young girl with a bright, bubbly personality.
Chau only plays Pickles during Season 5. Julia Chan takes over for her afterward in Season 6 for unknown reasons. But it’s fun to watch her take up such an out-of-character role nonetheless, even if it’s just for one season.
- American Woman as Jenny (2019)
Starring alongside Sarah Gadon, John Gallagher Jr., and Lola Kirke, Chau plays the role of a 25-year-old woman named Jenny, a former radical turned pacifist. When she is recruited once more by a group of activists to guard three fugitives–one of them being the granddaughter of a wealthy, powerful family–she is forced into a situation where she finds herself questioning everything she stands for.
This film is loosely based on the story of Wendy Yoshimura, an activist who took heiress Patty Hearst in when she was hiding as a fugitive. It also takes inspiration from Susan Choi’s novel, which holds the same name.
- Driveways as Kathy (2019)
In Driveways, Chau stars as Kathy, the mother of a young boy named Cody. When Cody’s aunt dies, he and his mother soon move to clean out her home. As they start to plant their roots in the place, Cody slowly forms an unexpected friendship with Del, the old man that lives next door.
Driveways is a film about learning to grow up and move on. With heartfelt friendships and strong performances from the entire cast, it’s no wonder that it garnered so many nominations and awards following its release: the Best of Fest Audience Choice Award at the Gimli Festival and the Winner of the NBR Award for Top Ten Independent Films, to name a few.
- Showing Up as Jo (2022)
Chau, in this film, plays the role of a woman named Jo, a landlord-artist. Serving as the close friend of the main character Lizzy (played by Michelle Williams,) Showing Up focuses on artist Lizzy’s upcoming exhibition and her search for inspiration amid all the problems she has to deal with in her chaotic life.
As time passes, the sculptor has to learn to manage her craft and social life. Everything–her friends, her family, her art–all hang in the balance as she tries to get her sh*t together.
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- Coming soon: Asteroid City (2023)
Little has been revealed about revered director Wes Anderson’s upcoming film, Asteroid City. From the trailer, all that we know is that it revolves around a place called Asteroid City, where the annual Junior Stargazer competition is being held.
Chau’s role in this film is yet to be revealed, but with a cast filled with stars like Scarlett Johansson, Steve Carrell, and Tom Hanks, coupled with Anderson’s iconic artistic style, this sci-fi-slash-romantic-comedy is sure to be another hit for Chau this 2023.
It is set to be released this May, during the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Meanwhile, you should mark your calendars for its worldwide release on June 23.
Dreams do come true
In her journey as the survivor of a refugee camp and still managing to find a career against all odds, Chau’s story proves that as long as you have talent, success will always find you. Whether you’re 18 or 30 or well into your 40s, like Chau, it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
