Lori Tan Chinn is an American actress and comedian. She played Mei Chang in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black and Awkwafina's grandmother on Comedy Central's Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (2020–2023). Chinn began her acting career on Broadway, where she played Miss Higa Jiga in Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen (1970). She was also a notable member of the Katherine Dunham Company and performed African dance with Syvilla Fort.
Early life Lori Tan Chinn is the daughter of Hoisan Chinese immigrants to the United States. She grew up in Seattle, Washington.
Chinn moved to New York City by herself in 1969.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1982Author! Author!Mrs. Woo 1985BrassHildaTV movie 1989She-DevilVesta Rose Woman 1990Revealing Evidence: Stalking the Honolulu StranglerPua TV movie 1991What About Bob?Bus driver 1992Glengarry Glen RossCoat check girl 1995Living in OblivionCostume Designer 1996RansomWoman on Street #3 1999Mickey Blue EyesRestaurant Owner 2001South PacificBloody Mary2003 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Musical 2004From Other WorldsMrs. Kim 2007SecurityMrs. PongShort 2007Year of the FishShuk Yee (voice)Animated film 2008The GuitarMrs. Tzu 2012Miss DMrs. LingShort 2013Final RecipeMrs. Wang 2015Chloe and TheoLandlady 2022Turning RedAuntie Chen (voice) Animated film 2023Joy RideNai Nai 2024Kung Fu Panda 4Granny Boar (voice) Animated film 2026SleepwalkerBai Zhao
Television Year Title Role Notes 1990RoseanneIris4 episodes 1992MathnetMiss JessicaEpisode: "The Case of the Smart Dummy" 1999It's Like, You Know...DaisyEpisode: "Lost in America" 2000Spin CitySamaritan NunEpisode: "Mike's Best Friend's Boyfriend" 2000Law & OrderSEC InvestigatorEpisode: "High & Low" 2005Law & Order: Trial by JuryMrs. ParkEpisode: "The Line" 2013–19Orange is the New BlackMei Chang27 episodes 2020–2023Awkwafina Is Nora from QueensNora's grandmotherstarring role 2023 Strange PlanetVoice role 2024 A Man on the Inside Susan Yang Pacific View Retirement Community resident council presidenthttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/man-on-the-inside-cast/ 2024 Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld Flora "Gugu" Chau Voice role
Theatre Year Title Role Notes 1970–1971Lovely Ladies, Kind GentlemenMiss Higa Jiga 1979G. R. Point Mama-San 1988–1990M. ButterflyComrade Chin, Suzuki, Shu Fan 2015Gotta DanceMae 2015Triassic ParqTwin velociraptor
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