Ming-Na Wen Biography: Age, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Husband, Children, Young

Biography

Ming-Na Wen, a Chinese-American actress, has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Born on November 20, 1963, in Macau, she moved to the United States with her family at a young age. Her career took off when she became the first Asian-American actress to secure a contract role on a daytime soap opera, playing Lien Hughes in “As the World Turns” from 1988 to 1991.

She gained widespread recognition for her role as Dr. Jing-Mei “Deb” Chen in the hit medical drama “ER” and as the voice of the iconic Disney princess Fa Mulan in “Mulan” and its sequel. Ming-Na‘s talent and versatility have also shone in various other projects, including the animated series “The Batman” and “Star Wars: The Bad Batch,” where she portrayed Fennec Shand.

In 2020, Ming-Na Wen made a cameo appearance in the live-action adaptation of “Mulan,” further solidifying her status as a beloved figure in the entertainment world.

Ming-Na Wen
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Ming-Na Wen
Stage Name:	Wēn Míngnà
Born:	20 November 1963 (age 60 years old)
Place of Birth:	Coloane, Macao
Nationality:	Chinese, American
Education:	Carnegie Mellon University
Height:	1.63 m
Parents:	Lin Chan Wen, Soo Lim Yee
Siblings:	Leong Yee, Jonathan Wen
Spouse:	Eric Michael Zee (m. 1995), Kirk Aanes (m. 1990–1993)
Boyfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	Michaela Zee, Cooper Dominic Zee
Occupation:	Actress • TV Personality
Net Worth:	$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Ming-Na Wen, born on November 20, 1963, in Coloane, an island in the Macau region, has a rich and diverse background. Her mother, Lin Chan Wen, is of Chinese descent from Suzhou, while her father is of Malaysian Chinese descent. This blend of backgrounds gives Ming-Na a unique ethnicity, reflecting the multicultural environment of Macau.

Raised alongside her two brothers, Leong Yee and Jonathan Wen, Ming-Na experienced a diverse upbringing, which likely contributed to her adaptability and success in her career. Her family moved to Hong Kong, where her mother worked as a nurse and later met Ming-Na‘s stepfather, Soo Lim Yee, a U.S. businessman. This event marked a significant turning point, leading to their immigration to the United States.

Ming-Na Wen‘s educational journey began in Hong Kong before she moved to the United States. She attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre in 1986. This solid educational foundation in the performing arts would later serve her well in her successful acting career.

Career

Ming-Na Wen‘s career is as diverse as it is impressive. From voicing the iconic Disney princess Mulan to playing a badass agent in Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” she has truly done it all.

Her journey began with a breakthrough role in “The Joy Luck Club” (1993), opening the door to remarkable opportunities. She then lent her voice to the beloved character Mulan in the 1998 animated film and its sequel, even reprising the role in a video game, showcasing her versatile talent.

Ming-Na has also made her mark in the sci-fi world, appearing in “Stargate Universe” and “The Mandalorian.” She even secured a role in the Star Wars franchise, playing Fennec Shand in “The Book of Boba Fett.” Talk about a hat trick!

Her television work is equally noteworthy. For nearly a decade, Ming-Na Wen played Dr. Jing-Mei “Deb” Chen on the hit medical drama ER. She also starred in the short-lived drama series Inconceivable and the Fox series Vanished, proving herself to be a true chameleon.

Ming-N‘s early acting experience on “As the World Turns” helped pave the way for more representation of Asian-American actors in mainstream media. Her role in “The Joy Luck Club” showcased her talent and helped break barriers for Asian-American actresses in Hollywood.

As the voice of Mulan, Ming-Na Wen broke barriers and paved the way for more diverse representation in the film industry. Her portrayal of Mulan, a strong and independent Chinese warrior, resonated with many young Asian-American viewers and became a cultural icon for representation and empowerment.

Additionally, Wen has had a diverse career in live-action acting as well. She played Agent Melinda May / The Cavalry on the Marvel series “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” a role that garnered her critical acclaim. More recently, she expanded her range by appearing as Fennec Shand in the Star Wars series “The Book of Boba Fett.”

Awards & Nominations

Awards

• Annie Award for her voice acting as Mulan (1998) – Recognizes excellence in animation.
• Online Film & Television Association Awards for her performance in Mulan (1999):
  • Best Voice-Over Performance
  • Best Family Actress

Nominations:

• Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (nominated as part of the cast for a show, not an individual award)
• People’s Choice Award for Favorite Actress in a New TV Series
• Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Star—Family Show
• Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards:
  • Best Actress in a Streaming Series, Drama (2022) for The Book of Boba Fett
  • Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Drama (2021) for The Mandalorian

Social Media

• Instagram handle: Ming-Na Wen (@mingna_wen)
• Facebook handle: Ming-Na Wen
• Twitter: Ming-Na Wen (@MingNa)
• IMDb: Ming-Na Wen

Personal Life

Ming-Na Wen, 60, the talented actress known for her roles in “Mulan” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” has also had a fascinating journey in her personal life.

Ming-Na married screenwriter Kirk Aanes in 1990. Their marriage was short-lived, and they divorced in 1993. Despite the separation, Ming-Na and Kirk remained friends until Kirk‘s passing in 2014.

In 1995, Ming-Na Wen married her current husband, Eric Michael Zee. The couple has been together for over twenty years and has two children, Michaela Zee and Cooper Dominic Zee. Ming-Na often shares sweet family moments on social media, showing her deep love for her husband and children.

Ming-Na‘s relationship with Eric started under rather unusual circumstances. When she needed a ride to the premiere of her movie “The Joy Luck Club,” her acting coach sent Eric, one of his other students, to pick her up. Although Ming-Na wasn’t initially interested in dating anyone, they soon found themselves talking and realized they were meant for each other.

As for her children, Michaela, born in 2000, has followed in her mother’s footsteps and has lent her voice to various animated projects. Born in 2005, Cooper enjoys a more private life away from the spotlight.

Filmography

Movies

• Breakthrough role: June Woo in The Joy Luck Club(1993)
• Chun-Li in Street Fighter(1994)
• Fa Mulan (voice) in the Disney animated classic Mulan (1998) and its sequel Mulan II(2004)
• Akiko in Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within(2001)
• Melinda May in The Book of Boba Fett(2021)
• Upcoming project: Untitled Karate Kid movie (2025)

TV Shows

• Regular cast member on soap opera As the World Turns (1988–1991)
• Dr. Jing-Mei Chen in ER (1995–2000)
• Agent Melinda May / The Cavalry in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.(2013–2020) – one of her most iconic roles
• Currently voicing Tanya Keys in Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart (2014–present)
• Recurring voice role as Fennec Shand in Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021–present)
• Voice of Velma Dinkley in the adult animated series Velma(2023)
• Video Games
• Voiced Fa Mulan in the video game Mulan (1998)

Net Worth

Ming-Na Wen has worked hard throughout her career, and her estimated net worth reflects her success and recognition. With a net worth of $5 million, she has become a well-respected figure in the entertainment industry, known for her talent and dedication to her craft. Her versatile skill set has allowed her to excel in various mediums, contributing to her impressive financial success.