Sumalee Montano is an American actress. Originally, she worked as an investment bank analyst in New York City and Hong Kong before starting her acting career.
For TV and film, Montano has appeared on Close to Home, Days of Our Lives, Nashville, Scandal, The Young and the Restless, This Is Us, and Veep. As a voice actress, she has provided the voice of Pudding in Space Channel 5 and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Arcee on Transformers: Prime, Cali in the Skylanders series, Katana on Beware the Batman, the President in Saints Row IV, the female Inquisitor in Dragon Age: Inquisition and Yuna in Ghost of Tsushima and Maria Santiago in The Loud House and The Casagrandes. She has also guest-starred as Nila on the web series Critical Role.
She resides and works in Los Angeles.
Early life Montano is of Filipino and Thai descent and grew up mostly in the United States, but also spent a few years in Bangkok, Thailand. During her high school career, she began acting as an extracurricular activity. Her great-uncle is Filipino actor and writer Severino Montano.
Education and acting career She graduated from Harvard University in 1993 and is a U.S. Fulbright scholar. After graduation, she worked as an investment banking analyst for Morgan Stanley for a few years. After realizing investment banking wasn't something she was passionate about, Montano quit and went backpacking through Africa before realizing she wanted to pursue acting professionally.
Montano has taken on a variety of different roles, both live-action and voice-over. She is talented in using many different accents, including Chinese, Filipino, British, Southern, Thai, Vietnamese, Eastern European and Japanese. Her first voice acting role was as Pudding in the 1999 music-rhythm game, Space Channel 5. Her first major acting role was playing the nurse Duvata Mahal for three seasons of the TV show ER.
In 2021, Montano gained acclaim for her role as Inoue Sato in the Peacock TV series The Lost Symbol. Following her portrayal as Sato, she had also appeared in the 2021 animated Disney series The Ghost and Molly McGee, voicing Sharon McGee, the titular character's mother, and Grandma Nin.
Filmography Voice acting Video games + List of voice performances in video games Year Title Role Notes Source 1999 Space Channel 5 Pudding First console game A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. SimCoaster Additional voices2002Space Channel 5: Part 2Additional voices/hostagesArchive footage from Part 1, Pudding's dialogue The Sims SimSpace Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic AttackPudding Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Lashowe, Belaya, Rahasia Sandral, Duel Spectator Gladius Additional VoicesSpace Channel 5: Special EditionPudding/additional voicesDisc 2 (Part 2) only includes archive footage CSI: 3 Dimensions of Murder Lucy Canelli, Maya Nguyen CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Hard Evidence Liz Schmidt, Nicole Simms Commander in Chief Air Force Reporter2008Sega Superstars TennisPuddingVoiced alongside Larissa Murray Army of Two: The 40th Day Mei Lin Call of Juarez: The Cartel Shane Dickson Dead Island Yerema X-Men: Destiny Mystique Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Cali Star Wars: The Old Republic Shae Vizla Mass Effect 3 Nyreen Kandros Omega DLC Diablo III Eirena the Enchantress Guild Wars 2 Janis, Marjory Delaqua, Sayida the Sly World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Liu Flameheart, Suna Silentstrike, Sun Tenderheart Skylanders: Giants Cali Transformers: Prime – The Game Arcee Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed PuddingVoiced alongside Apollo Smile Saints Row IV The President Skylanders: Swap Force Cali République Abal Ammash The Elder Scrolls Online Female Redguard, Female Khajiit #1, Additional Voices The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Whitney Chang WildStar Tresayne Toria, Vesna Taranoft, Nuriam Skylanders: Trap Team Cali Dragon Age: Inquisition Female Inquisitor (American Accent) Saints Row: Gat out of Hell The President Skylanders: SuperChargers Cali Fallout 4 Rachel, Female Gunners, Institute Scientist StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Tal'darim Mothership XCOM 2 Female Soldier Mirror's Edge Catalyst Erika Connors Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars Terran AdvisorLego DimensionsBonnie For Honor Ayu Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series Mantis Prey Morgan Yu (Female), January (Female) Destiny 2 Suraya Hawthorne Batman: The Enemy Within Renee Montoya, Casino Patron, Newscaster #2 Lego DC Super-Villains Katana, Huntress Epic Seven Aramintha, Maya, Kiris Anthem Aunt Cardea Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order Mystique The Outer Worlds Zora Blackwood Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Mari Kosan Ghost of Tsushima Yuna Also motion capture Yakuza: Like a Dragon Additional voices Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Aruni Operation Neon Dawn expansion Lost Judgment Reiko Kusumoto Return to Monkey Island Flair Gorey Naraka: Bladepoint Justina Gu Dead Space Dr. Elizabeth CrossStarfield Supervisor LinLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Additional voices Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth2026Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
Film + List of voice performances in direct-to-video, feature and television films Year Title Role Notes Source Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters the Wu sisters Short film Superman vs. The Elite Newscaster Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Arcee Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Mera Only Yesterday Kiyoko English dub 10 Cloverfield Lane Voice on Radio Justice League vs. the Fatal Five Emerald Empress, Pharmacist PAW Patrol: The Movie Additional Voices (US) Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Kindra The Casagrandes MovieMaria Santiago
Animation + List of voice performances in animation Year Title Role Notes Source –2013 Transformers: Prime Arcee, Raf's Mother Main role –2014 Beware the Batman Katana, additional voices Main role The Loud House Maria Santiago Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Arachne, Harpy Episode: "Greece Is the Word" –2018 Bunnicula Fluffy Episodes: "Vampire Rabbit Season" and "Harold the Vampire Pointer" Voltron: Legendary Defender Admiral Sanda, Principle 2018–2019 Spider-Man Yuri Watanabe, Nurse –2020 Star Wars Resistance Agent Tierny 2019 Love, Death & Robots Young Yan, Woman Episode: "Good Hunting" Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny Shi Long Episode: "Curse of the Monkey King" Amphibia Additional Voices Episode: "Reunion" 2019–2022 The Casagrandes Maria Santiago Main role 2019 Cannon Busters 12welve, Additional Voices English dub Carmen Sandiego Lady Dokuso 2 episodes Cleopatra in Space Administrant Khepra, Musti 2020 Where's Waldo? Wizard Flambé Episode: "Mad About Madagascar" DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders Fanthom Episode: "Divewings" 2021 Robot Chicken Baby Secret, Pinhead's Mother Episode: "May Cause Lucid Murder Dreams" 2021–2024 The Ghost and Molly McGee Sharon McGee, Grandma Nin Main role 2022 Dragon Age: Absolution Hira Main role 2023 The Legend of Vox Machina Highbearer Vord Episode: "The Trials of Vasselheim" 2024–2025 Jurassic World: Chaos Theory The Handler 8 episodes
Live-action Television + List of acting performances in television Year Title Role Notes Source –2005 E.R. Duvata Mahal 10 episodes Strong Medicine Med Student #2 Episode: "Vaccinations" Judging Amy Helen Episode: "The New Normal" Medium Nurse #1 Episode: "Penny for Your Thoughts" The Comeback Producer Episode: "Valerie Stands Out on the Red Carpet" –2006 The West Wing Vinick Reporter #1 2 episodes –2007 Close to Home Melinda Mallari 6 episodes Bones Alexandra Combs Episode: "The Graft in the Girl" Commander in Chief Air Force One Reporter Episode: "Happy Birthday, Madam President" Shogunate Lady Sakato Adachi Television film Cane Christine Kim 2 episodes Lincoln Heights Nurse Tan Episode: "The Vision" Shark Arlene Pierce Episode: "Every Breath You Take" –2008 The Young and the Restless Dr. Maya Bagano 5 episodes Boston Legal Dr. Linda Corbin Episode: "Kill, Baby, Kill!" Big Love Dr. Gowan Episode: "Empire" Nip/Tuck Dr. Wu Episode: "Briggitte Reinholt" Glory Daze Kim-Ly Franklin Episode: "Papa Don't Pre-Game" Harry's Law Dr. Erica Christie Episode: "In the Ghetto" The Finder Lee Scott Episode: "Little Green Men" NCIS: Los Angeles Yen Tran Episode: "The Dragon and the Fairy" Parenthood Malea Episode: "What to My Wondering Eyes" Monday Mornings Lynne Iverson Episode: "Wheels Within Wheels" Touch Nurse Liz 2 episodes –2017 Days of Our Lives Dr. Yuen, Dr. Ong 3 episodes The Mentalist Susan Nguyen Episode: "Green Light" NCIS: New Orleans Melanie Pratt Episode: "Touched by the Sun" –2016 Nashville Dr. Kitley 4 episodes –2017 Veep Joyce Cafferty 3 episodes Rizzoli & Isles Judge Huang Episode: "65 Hours" Grey's Anatomy Lena McCallister Episode: "Catastrophe and the Cure" Shameless Turks Episode: "Hiraeth" NCIS Nicole Taggart Episode: "Rendezvous" Kevin (Probably) Saves the World Tracy Haslett Episode: "Rocky Road" Dynasty Deirde Episode: "Company Slut" 2018 Scandal Maria Campo 4 episodes Critical Role Nila 2 episodes Animal Kingdom Melanie Southards 2 episodes This Is Us Dr. Gail Jasper 3 episodes 2018–2019 S.W.A.T. Gwen 3 episodes Blue Bloods Inspector Jane Kimura Episode: "Trust" The Gifted Dr. Taylor Episode: "iMprint" 2019 How to Get Away with Murder FBI Agent Nancy Bayer 2 episodes Magnum P.I. Judge Majorie Kamaka Episode: "Murder Is Never Quiet" SEAL Team Agent Susan Craver Episode: "The Ones You Can't See" The Resident Trish Tintoc Episode: "Out for Blood" Star Trek: Picard Dahj and Soji's Mother Episode: "Remembrance" Hawaii Five-0 Yang Episode: "He kauwa ke kanaka na ke aloha" 2021 The Lost Symbol Inoue Sato Main role 2024 Snowpiercer Kari Chang Recurring2025The ResidenceDanna HammondRecurring2026Happy's PlaceMoney Fairyseason 2 episode 16 "AI-AI-No"
Film + List of acting performances in films Year Title Role Notes Source Teknolust Nelia Uncredited Cherish Officer Montano Minority Report Talking Billboard Uncredited Water Under the Bridge Sara Danika News Reporter Hancock News Anchor Uncredited Eating Out: All You Can Eat Pam Losing Control Breanna Lee
References
External links