Katie Chang Explained

Katie Chang
Birth Name:Katherine Chang
Birth Date:3 May 1995
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma Mater:Northwestern University
Years Active:2011–present
Occupation:Actress, producer

Katherine Chang (born May 3, 1995) is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Rebecca Ahn in The Bling Ring (2013) and Maddie Kim in Pantheon (2022).[1]

Early life

Chang was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Winnetka, Illinois. Her paternal grandfather was of Korean descent, while the rest of her ancestry is Irish and German.[2] She was trained at the Wilmette Theatre's Actors Training Center.[1] Chang attended New Trier High School, graduating in 2013. She started studying creative writing at Columbia University.[3] In 2015, she transferred to Northwestern University.[4] Chang graduated from Northwestern in 2017 with a degree in screenwriting.[5]

Career

In 2013, Chang earned praise for her portrayal of Rebecca Ahn, the leader of the title group in the satirical crime film The Bling Ring. Rolling Stone described her as "mesmerizing"[6] while the Chicago Tribune called her a "performer of serious promise".[7] The Hollywood Reporter said Chang's performance marked her as "someone to watch" going forward in her career.[8] Director Sofia Coppola explained her choice of casting such a "fresh face" in a lead role, saying, "There's sort of a naturalness, as opposed to having worked a lot, being kid actors."[9] Also in 2013, Chang starred in the comedy film A Birder's Guide to Everything.[10] She then had a supporting role in the independent drama film Anesthesia.[11] Chang then appeared in the teen comedy film The Outcasts.[12] Between 2022 and 2023, Chang starred as the voice of Maddie in the AMC+ animated series Pantheon.[13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2011CUTEeGRLFiona MaloShort film
2013The Bling RingRebecca Ahn
A Birder's Guide to EverythingEllen Reeves
2015AnesthesiaAmy
2016ImperfectionsMiranda
2017The OutcastsClaire Connors
Fatal CrossingMarcy
2018Canal StreetElizabeth Chu
All The Little Things We KillCarol
2019Daniel Isn't RealBarista
I Want Candy Jasmine Short film
2020 InstaPsychoAva
A Handful of Rust Simone Short film
2024A Reconciliation at the Donut ShopSisterShort film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2021 Elise Episode: "2100°"
2022–2023PantheonMaddie KimVoice role[14]

Producer

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Video/Q&A: Winnetka native 'Bling Ring' star Katie Chang. June 22, 2013. RedEye Chicago. Matt. Pais.
  2. Web site: 'The Bling Ring' Star Katie Chang is a Triple Threat: Young, Talented and Mature. Mochi Magazine. 2013-07-02. 2018-07-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003618/http://www.mochimag.com/article/katie-chang-bling-ring-sofia-coppola-actress-rebecca-rachel-lee-college/. dead.
  3. Web site: Winnetka's Katie Chang settling into school, acting life. Chicago Tribune. December 13, 2015. March 19, 2014.
  4. Web site: Winnetkan lands role in MTV comedy pilot. Winnetka Current. December 24, 2015. November 12, 2015.
  5. Web site: Katie Chang on Instagram. Instagram.
  6. The Bling Ring. June 22, 2013. Rolling Stone. Peter. Travers.
  7. Web site: Bling Ring a bright, breezy film with a message'. June 22, 2013. Chicago Tribune. Michael. Phillips. June 20, 2013.
  8. Web site: The Bling Ring: Cannes Review'. August 2, 2013. The Hollywood Reporter. Todd. McCarthy. May 16, 2013.
  9. News: Stealing Fame. June 22, 2013. The New York Times. Zach. Baron. June 5, 2013.
  10. Web site: Star of 'Bling Ring' nothing like the character she plays. June 22, 2013. Patriot Ledger. Brett. Michel.
  11. Web site: 'Bling Ring' Star Joins Indie 'Anesthesia'. The Hollywood Reporter. Rebecca. Ford. November 18, 2013.
  12. Web site: Cannes: Victoria Justice Starring in High-School Comedy. Variety. Dave. McNary. May 13, 2014.
  13. Web site: Animated Drama ‘Pantheon’ Brings Sci-Fi Nightmare to Vivid Life: TV Review. Variety. Caroline. Framke. August 31, 2022.
  14. Web site: Thorne. Will. 2020-08-07. Daniel Dae Kim, Katie Chang and Scoot McNairy Board AMC Animated Drama 'Pantheon'. 2021-03-22. Variety. en-US.