The famous Esther Chae is a Korean-American actress, published playwright, speaker, and consultant for Korean entertainment and Hollywood. Chae has appeared in numerous television shows such as NCIS, Law, and Order: Criminal Intent, The West Wing, The Shield, and ER.
In 2015, Chae was invited to speak at TEDxPHX where she presented “WIBLDD: What If Bruce Lee Didn’t Die.” This unique talk, combined with performance, highlights Asian American representation (and lack of) in the media and arts through an enlightening conversation with a 75-year-old Master Bruce Lee.
In 2014, Chae was nominated for the “Extraordinary Chambers” (Play), ‘Outstanding Dramatic Production,’ and ‘Outstanding Ensemble’ by San Diego Theater Critic Circle.
In 2010, Chae received the 2010 APA Heritage Trailblazer Award from New York governor David Paterson. That year, she also received the 2010 University of Michigan Emerging Artist Alumni Award & King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professorship and Emerging Artist Award.
Esther K. Chae top movies and TV shows
She summited Kilimanjaro (Tanzania, 5,895m) and trekked the Himalayan Mountains (India, 1400m) and Machu Picchu (Peru, 7,972m).
- Law and Order: Criminal Intent
- The Young and the Restless
- Untitled Brenda Hampton Project (pilot)
- Almost Human
- Sisters
- Guidance
- Bosch
- Soul
Esther K. Chae awards and nominations
- 2010 Asian American Trailblazer Award
- 2010 University of Michigan Emerging Artist Alumni Award
- 2009 TED Fellow
- 2009 Tanee Artist Recognition Award
- 2009 Durfee ARC Grant
- 2009 Asian Women’s Giving Circle Grant
- 2009 Santa Fe Art Institute Screenwriting Fellow
- 2008 the University of Southern California, Center for Asia Pacific Leadership
- 2008 NetKAL Fellowship
- 2007 Korean Wave Asian Star Award at the Asia Model Festival Awards
- 2006 Vision Award by The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (“Cinema AZN”/International Channel)
- 2005 Producers Guild of America Film Development Workshop Fellow
- 2005 AFTRA Best American Scene Award (“Micro Miniseries”/ABC)
- 2005 Golden Reel Award, Best Radio Play (“Hiroshima” with Tyne Daly and Ruby Dee)
- 2001 Ammy Award for Asian Americans, Best Documentary Nominee (“Becoming an Actress in NYC”)
- 2000 Obie Theater Award Nominee (“Pojagi”/Ping Chong and Co.)
