Kelly Marie Tran

Kelly Marie Tran
Name	Kelly Marie Tran
Birth date	1989
Birth place	San Diego, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, writer
Years active	2011–present
Notable works	Star Wars sequel trilogy, Raya and the Last Dragon

Kelly Marie Tran is an American actress and writer known for her roles in major film franchises and for vocal work in animation. She rose from regional theater and independent film to international attention through casting in a high-profile science fiction series and through advocacy around representation and online harassment. Tran's career encompasses live-action, voice acting, and stage work, and she has spoken publicly about culture, identity, and mental health.

Early life and education

Tran was born in San Diego, California, to parents of Vietnamese descent and raised in a working-class household with connections to local Vietnamese communities, civic organizations, and churches in Southern California. She attended public schools in San Diego County, California and participated in community theater programs influenced by regional companies such as La Jolla Playhouse and youth arts initiatives connected to cultural festivals like Tet. For higher education and training, Tran studied drama and performance through local conservatories and workshops associated with institutions including University of California, San Diego and community conservatories that have ties to professional theaters such as San Diego Repertory Theatre.

Career

Tran began her career with roles in independent film, stage productions, and guest appearances on television programs tied to studios operating in Los Angeles, California and Hollywood. Early credits included short films screened at regional festivals like the Sundance Film Festival-affiliated circuits and screenings at community arts organizations. She also worked in advertising and commercial projects for brands produced by agencies in New York City and Los Angeles County. Tran's breakthrough came when she auditioned for a major studio production developed by Lucasfilm and released by Walt Disney Pictures, leading to casting that elevated her profile internationally. Following that success, she expanded into voice acting for animated features produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and collaborated with directors and producers who had credits on projects with companies such as Marvel Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and independent production houses.

Notable roles and performances

Tran's first widely recognized role was in a high-profile sequel within the Star Wars saga produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, where she portrayed a new character with narrative ties to the Resistance and legacy characters from the original and sequel trilogies. The casting placed her alongside actors including Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac, and involved directors and creative teams with histories at The Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm such as J. J. Abrams and Rian Johnson. She subsequently provided the voice for a lead character in the animated fantasy feature produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, working with filmmakers who had collaborated on films linked to contemporary animated franchises. Tran has also appeared in independent drama projects with filmmakers who have presented work at festivals like the Telluride Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, and she has performed in stage productions at venues connected to companies such as Center Theatre Group and regional theaters in California.

Personal life and advocacy

Tran has been public about her Vietnamese heritage and her experiences as an Asian American performer in the entertainment industry, engaging with organizations and initiatives focused on representation and diversity such as Asian American Advancing Justice-affiliated programs and cultural centers in Los Angeles. After facing coordinated online harassment tied to her casting, she spoke about the mental health impacts and worked with advocates addressing online abuse, moderated by institutions and nonprofits that engage with digital safety and civil rights. Tran has supported arts education and mentorship initiatives at community institutions like 826 National-affiliated chapters and regional cultural festivals that celebrate Vietnamese and Southeast Asian heritage. She has participated in panels and fundraisers alongside activists, filmmakers, and actors from groups connected to Time's Up-adjacent movements and industry guilds, including members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Filmography

Film - Major studio sequel in the Star Wars franchise (2017) — live-action feature role - Sequel installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2019) — live-action feature role - Animated fantasy feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios (2021) — voice role - Independent drama and short films screened at festivals such as Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival

Television - Guest appearances on episodic series produced in Los Angeles - Voice appearances in animated television specials distributed by networks and streaming platforms associated with Disney+ and other major outlets

Stage - Regional theater productions in Southern California with companies affiliated with venues like La Jolla Playhouse and Center Theatre Group - Workshops and readings connected to playwrights and directors active in the off-Broadway and regional theater circuits, including collaborations with artists who have appeared at the Public Theater and Second Stage Theater

Awards and nominations

Tran has received recognition from film and cultural organizations for breakout performances and voice acting, including nominations and awards from regional critics associations and festival juries at events like San Diego Film Critics Society-connected programming and festival honors at Asian American International Film Festival. Industry guilds and nonprofit arts organizations have acknowledged her work through ensemble and breakout performer mentions, and she has been included in lists and retrospectives by media outlets and cultural institutions such as Time (magazine), Variety (magazine), and arts centers that highlight rising artists.

Category:American film actresses Category:American voice actresses Category:Actresses from San Diego, California