Lucy Alexis Liu (Chinese: 劉玉玲 Liú Yùlíng, born December 2, 1968 in Queens, New York) is an Emmy Award-nominated American actress. She became known after starring in the television series Ally McBeal (1998–2002) and has also appeared in several notable film roles, including Kill Bill and Charlie's Angels.Liu was born in New York City, and was raised with her brother, Alex Liu, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York by Chinese immigrant parents. Liu has said that she grew up in a "diverse" neighborhood; her family spoke Mandarin at home and she did not learn English until she was five years old. Her father worked as a civil engineer and her mother as a biochemist in Taiwan, but they sacrificed to come to the United States. Liu, at her parents' insistence, devoted her spare time to studying, and she attended New York City's famous Stuyvesant High School. She attended New York University for one year, before transferring to the University of Michigan, where she joined the Chi Omega sorority and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Asian Languages and Cultures. At one point, Liu worked as a waitress in Michigan.
In 2004, Liu announced her engagement to New York playwright Zach Helm. Their relationship ended in 2005.
In a Jane interview, she indicated the possibility that she was bisexual, but has not stated anything definite. She is quoted as saying, "I think people sometimes get the wrong impression when they're like, 'Oh, well, so-and-so was straight and then she was gay, and now she's straight again,' you know? But it's like, how many times do I have to kiss a woman before I'm gay? Everybody wants to label people. Sometimes you just fall in love with somebody, and you're really not thinking about what gender or whatever they happen to be. I think that if I happen to fall in love with a woman, everyone's going to make a big deal out of it. But if I happen to fall in love with a man, nobody cares."
With her parents' work ethic, Liu continued, "I'm always multitasking, doing 10 things at once". She speaks Chinese, Italian, Spanish and a little Japanese, a language she studied in preparation for her role in Kill Bill. She also rock climbs, practices martial arts, skis, and plays the accordion.
Liu is also an artist in several media, and has had three gallery shows showcasing her collage, paintings, and photography".
In 2001, Liu was the spokesperson for the Lee National Denim Day fund-raiser which raises millions of dollars for breast cancer research and education. In 2005, Liu was appointed a U.S. Fund for UNICEF Ambassador; in that capacity, she has traveled to Pakistan and Lesotho, among other countries. Early in 2006, Liu received an "Asian Excellence Award" for Visibility, since she is considered the most well-known and visible Asian American in the media today. She is also the first Asian-American woman to host Saturday Night Live.
Liu has said about her background, "when you grow up Asian-American it’s difficult because you don’t know if you’re Asian or you’re American. You get confused" and that "You need to recognize where your background is from. I think it’s important. Just for yourself. It makes you more whole. It does."
Liu has a tattoo of a tiger on her lower back.
The Minnesota band Dropping Daylight wrote a song entitled "Lucy" about the lead singer, Sebastion Davin's, passionate dream about Lucy Liu.
She is referenced in the 2003 number one OutKast hit single "Hey Ya!"
