Poppy Liu Explained

Poppy Liu
Native Name:柳波
Birth Place:Xi'an, China
Nationality:Chinese
Alma Mater:Colgate University
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:2018–present
Known For:Hacks
Partner:Jonah Tucker (2020–2023)
Children:1

Poppy Liu (柳波; pinyin: Liǔ Bō) is a Chinese-American actress, activist and poet, known for her roles in the sitcoms Sunnyside, Hacks, and iCarly.

Early life and education

Liu was born in Xi'an, China. Her family moved to Minnesota when she was two while her father, an engineering professor, earned a second PhD. During this time, her mother attended night classes in computer programming and worked at hotels and McDonald's. The family moved back to China when Liu was 14, where she attended an American school in Shanghai. During high school, she became interested in performing, and participated in Chinese dance, ballet and theater.[1] [2]

Liu attended Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and majored in women's studies and theater. She graduated in 2013.[3]

Career

After graduation, Liu founded the production company Collective Sex, with a focus on decolonizing storytelling and eliminating stigmas around sex and identity. In 2018, she debuted her short film Names of Women in New York City, which also toured across the country at college campuses and reproductive organizations. The film was made with an all-female crew and is based on a true abortion story.

In 2019, Liu had a starring role in the NBC sitcom Sunnyside, which moved to Hulu after four episodes.[4] Liu has also had roles on New Amsterdam, , and Better Call Saul.[5] She has a recurring role as the blackjack dealer to a wealthy comedian in the 2021 HBO Max sitcom Hacks,[6] and a recurring role as performer Double Dutch on the 2021 Paramount+ sitcom iCarly.[7]

Personal life

Liu is a doula and offers free services to women of color and transgender people. Liu is nonbinary, uses they/she pronouns, and identifies as queer.[8] [9] She had an abortion in 2015, which inspired a short film she created.

Liu met Jonah Tucker in 2020 and she subsequently began dating.[10] [11] She gave birth to her and Tucker's first child in 2022.[12] [13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2018SummonMannequinShort
2019Safe Among StarsJiaShort
2020FlourishLazerShort
2020To DoStephShort
2020Certified Black GeniusMaisaShort
2024The Tiger's ApprenticeSnake (voice)
2024Space CadetNadine Cai

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2018New AmsterdamAmy Chiang1 episode
2018–2019Mercy MistressMistress YinMain role
2019Hannah Berkowitz1 episode
2019SunnysideMei LinMain role
2020–2022Better Call SaulJo4 episodes
2021–2022HacksKikiRecurring role, 8 episodes
2021–2022iCarlyDouble Dutch4 episodes
2022DollfaceLotus Dragon Bebe1 episode
2022Tales of the Walking DeadAmy1 episode
2022Wedding SeasonMitzi2 episodes
2023History of the World, Part IIEhri Khan1 episode
2023Dead RingersGretaMain role
2023American Born ChinesePrincess Iron FanRecurring role, 3 episodes
2023The AfterpartyGrace ZhuMain role, season 2
TBANo Good DeedSarahUpcoming series[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About . Poppy Liu . May 20, 2021.
  2. Web site: 2021-08-10 . More Poppy Liu, Please . 2022-06-12 . PAPER . en.
  3. Web site: 2019-05-16 . Collective Healing Colgate Magazine . 2022-06-12 . en-US.
  4. News: Sunnyside's Joel Kim Booster & Poppy Liu Are Queering Up Comedy . May 20, 2021 . Pride.com . October 29, 2019.
  5. News: LGBTQ Actors of Color to Lead Panel on Diversity And Inclusion in Film . May 20, 2021 . The Advocate . February 28, 2020.
  6. News: HBO Max's 'Hacks': TV Review . May 20, 2021 . Hollywood Reporter . May 12, 2021.
  7. Web site: iCarly . . August 21, 2021.
  8. Web site: How Nonbinary 'Hacks' Star Poppy Liu's Star Rose in 2021. 8 December 2021.
  9. News: Artavia . David . Poppy Liu is Queer and Asian — Get Used to It! . May 20, 2021 . The Advocate . July 14, 2019.
  10. Web site: poppy liu on Instagram: "Who knew when I met this pink cutie at the tippy top of the pandemic that two and a half years later I would be 8 months pregnant with his baby at the marine corps prom in Vegas. Congrats @tuckerjonah16 on getting out and lots of love to our little entourage of friends and chosen fam who came with us to Vegas to crash the prom night of US imperialism and, most importantly, celebrate you entering a new chapter of your life. I love you a lot and I'm excited for everything to come. ❤️" . 2023-03-03 . Instagram . en.
  11. News: Kaplan . Ilana . 2023-02-04 . Bringing a Little Queerness to Acting Roles . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-03-03 . 0362-4331.
  12. Web site: TLDR; I'm having a baby. . July 25, 2022 . 24 June 2022.
  13. Web site: poppy liu on Instagram: "Me 6 minutes after giving birth captured by my doula and beloved friend @aliquinnanderson ☺️✨will be logging off from here for a lil bit during postpartum "sitting the month" (坐月子) to hang out with my new tiny best friend who I am so very very in love with bye bye!!!" . 2023-03-03 . Instagram . en.
  14. Web site: Netflix’s ‘No Good Deed’ Adds Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, Teyonah Parris, Abbi Jacobson & Poppy Liu. Deadline Hollywood. Matt. Grobar. December 15, 2023. April 23, 2024.