Jean Hagen

Jean Hagen has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to television, at 1502 Vine Street. Hu resides in Brentwood, California where she is co-owner of a restaurant Basic Bites. She made her final film appearance in a 1977 television movie before her death from throat cancer. Her subsequent movie appearances include The Scorpion King (2002), Cradle 2 the Grave (2003) and X2 (2003). In the 1960s Hagen's health began to decline and she spent many years hospitalised or in care. Afterwards, Hu was cast as police officers Michelle Chan in the television series Nash Bridges (1997-1998) and Chen Pei Pei on Martial Law (1998-2000). Although she made frequent guest appearances in various television series, she was unable to successfully resume her film career, and for the remainder of her career played supporting roles, such as the friend of Bette Davis in Dead Ringer (1964). Rae Chang on Sunset Beach for six months in 1997.

As the first wife of Danny Thomas, Hagen received three Emmy Award nominations, but after two seasons she grew dissatisfied and left the series. She was then cast as Dr. MGM failed to provide her with a quality follow up role to enable her to build on her growing popularity, and by 1953 she had joined the cast of Make Room for Daddy. While the movie was not a major success it opened a new career direction for Hu in action adventure roles. As the vain and talentless silent movie star Lina Lamont, Hagen received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination. In 1995, Hu played an undercover police officer in the movie No Way Back. She is arguably best remembered for her comic performance in Singin' in the Rain (1950). Hu also won the title of Miss Hawaii USA in 1993.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) provided Hagen with her first starring role, and excellent reviews. Hu followed this with appearances on series such as Night Court, Tour of Duty, 21 Jump Street, and Melrose Place and her first movie role in Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. Born Jean Shirley Verhagen in Chicago, Illinois, Hagen studied drama and worked as a theater usherette before making her film debut as a femme fatale in Adam's Rib (1949). After working in Japan and Italy (where she became well-known as the star of a series of ads for Philadelphia brand cream cheese), Hu moved to Los Angeles and began her acting career in 1987 with a guest starring role on the sitcom Growing Pains. Jean Hagen (August 3, 1923 – August 29, 1977) was an American film actress. Ironically she found out after winning that she was prohibited from appearing in non-contest related activities for the year of her reign. To gain publicity, she entered Miss Teen USA contest in 1985 and became the first Asian American to win the title.

Hu's cousin was a successful model in Japan and Hu decided to follow her example. She has also been interested in martial arts since her early childhood, when her older brother would arrange for her to fight neighbourhood boys. Hu has had a lifelong interest in singing and dancing. Her ethnic background is a mixture of Chinese, Hawaiian, and English.

Hu was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Kelly Ann Hu (born February 13, 1968) is an American actress.