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Lisa Lu

Lisa Lu

Actor, also producer · Born January 19, 1927 (99) · Beijing, China

Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

Lisa Lu Yan (simplified Chinese: 卢燕; traditional Chinese: 盧燕; pinyin: Lú Yàn; born July 8, 1927) is a Chinese-born American actress and singer. She won the Golden Horse Awards three times in the 1970s.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 19, 1927 (99)
From
Beijing, China
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
35 on MovieCove · 68 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 10% in 30 days

What are Lisa Lu's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
31%
Morality
25%
Self
20%
Power
8%
Society
6%
Survival
5%
Ideas
4%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themeForgiveness2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 9 · Intense 4

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 2 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 3 of 6 analyzed roles.

Mentor
3 of 6
Ally
2 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Melancholic
7
Warm
5
Romantic
3
Bittersweet
3
Other
16

How their films linger

Bittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Lisa Lu's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 35 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lisa Lu's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

68 credits, 35 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Dream of the Red Chamber (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Grandma Jia

  • Death and Other Details(2024)

    Show 9 episodes · as Celia Chun

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • American Born Chinese(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Ni Yang

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Rally Road Racers(2023)

    as Granny Bai (voice)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Disappearance of Mrs. Wu(2021)

    as Lily Wu

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Crazy Rich Asians(2018)

    as Ah Ma

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • An Impossibly Small Object (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Old lady

  • A Journey Through Time with Anthony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • 12 Golden Ducks(2015)

    as Aunt May

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Dangerous Liaisons(2012)

    as Madame Du Ruixue

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Somewhere(2010)

    as Chinese Journalist

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Apart Together(2010)

    Producer · as Qiao Yu'e

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • 2012(2009)

    as Grandmother Sonam

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Dim Sum Funeral(2008)

    as Mrs. Xiao

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Lust, Caution(2007)

    as Mahjong Partner of Aunt

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Postmodern Life of My Aunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as TaiTai Shui / 水太太

  • Invisible Target(2007)

    as Ho's Grandma

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Beauty Remains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Woman Gambler

  • Qianlong Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 40 episodes · as 孝圣宪皇后

  • The Tick(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Blindness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Mrs. Hong

  • All-American Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Han

  • I Love Trouble(1994)

    as Virgina Hervey

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • China: Beyond the Clouds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Narrator

  • Temptation of a Monk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Shi's Mother

  • The Joy Luck Club(1993)

    as An-Mei Hsu

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Cold Mountain Temple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Hou Mengqin (as Yan Lu)

  • 钟鸣寒山寺 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes(1990)

    as Mrs. Sato

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Last Aristocrats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Li Tong's mother

  • Guandong Heroine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Yi Pin-Hong

  • Noble House(1988)

    Show 4 episodes · as Ah Tam

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Last Emperor(1987)

    as Tzu Hsui

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Harry's Hong Kong(1987)

    as Rose

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Lotus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Executive Producer · as Mother-in-Law

  • Tai-Pan(1986)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Pledge in Quick Sand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Sewing Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Narrator

  • Hammett(1982)

    as Miss Cameron's Assistant

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder(1982)

    as Sister Marie

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Saint Jack(1979)

    Producer's Assistant · as Mrs. Yates

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Eternal Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Demon Seed(1977)

    as Soong Yen

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Last Tempest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Empress Dowager Tsz Hei

  • The Empress Dowager (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Tsz Hei, Empress Dowager

  • Terror in the Wax Museum(1973)

    as Madame Yang

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Anna and the King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 3 episodes · as Lady Thiang

  • The 14 Amazons(1972)

    as Grand Dame / She Tai Chun

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Odd Couple(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Lee

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Arch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Madame Tung

  • Mission: Impossible(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Mioshi Kellem

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Womanhunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Rider on a Dead Horse(1962)

    as Ming Kwai

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Mountain Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Sue-Mei Hung

  • Hong Kong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Mai Loo

  • Hawaiian Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Lili

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Su Ling

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Yancy Derringer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Miss Mandarin

  • China Doll(1958)

    as Tulips

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Shirley Temple's Storybook(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Lady Thousand Thrush

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Sue Wo Toi

  • Panda and the Magic Serpent(1958)

    as Girl

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 10 episodes · as Hey Girl · as Kim Li

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Mei Ling Soong

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • General Electric Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Telephone Operator

  • See You Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Nai Nai

  • The Joy Luck Club 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as An-Mei Hsu

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 67 titles, 65 of them dated from 1953 to 2024; peak year 1993.

Biggest box office

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

$239M worldwide

Highest rated

The Joy Luck Club (1993)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Film career

MilestoneBreakoutNomination
19532024

Peak 1993 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting67 of 67: 65 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thProducing2 of 67: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

By decade

1950s9 · acting1960s6 · acting1970s9 · 9 acting · 1 crew1980s11 · 11 acting · 1 crew1990s9 · acting2000s8 · acting2010s8 · acting2020s5 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 6% of 16 roles
7287

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

Nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2019, Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Lisa Lu's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of all 26; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 35 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 35 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

The Disappearance of Mrs. Wu (2021)

90th percentile spread · 29% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Last Emperor (1987)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Lisa Lu's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 51 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 51 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 56 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Lisa Lu work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lisa Lu's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Anna Chi shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors