Actress
Insight Into Yvonne Chapman’s Parents, Siblings, and Ethnicity
Yvonne Chapman grew up embracing both Eastern and western cultures.
Yvonne Chapman is a rising Canadian actress known for her role as Zhilan on the CW’s Kung Fu series.
Born on October 7, 1988, to parents of mixed descent, she was raised alongside two brothers in Vancouver. So, she grew up embracing both Eastern and Western cultures and traditions. In this article, we look closely at her family and ethnic origins.
Yvonne Chapman comes from a diverse background
Chapman’s mixed cultural heritage shapes her as an actress and a person. She was born in Canada to parents with Chinese, French, and Singaporean roots. Her mother immigrated from Singapore and came from an ethnic Chinese family line.
Her father has both Chinese and French ancestry in his family history. But her parent’s names have never been made public.
Yvonne Chapman during a photoshoot in Calgary, Alberta (Source: Instagram)
However, she has shared that her parents raised her and her siblings to appreciate Chinese traditions and values amidst their Western surroundings in Vancouver.
With this diverse East-meets-West upbringing, she enjoyed Chinese cultural celebrations and holidays and typical Canadian pastimes like skating and playing soccer.
Her parents imprinted their Chinese values around family, diligence, and tradition while allowing her to dream big in sports, the arts, and acting. This duality likely informs the nuance and depth she brings to complex characters on shows like Kung Fu.
Yvonne Chapman’s early life
Though she’s an actress now, Chapman’s first dream growing up in Calgary was to become a lawyer. Her parents fully supported this sensible career goal aligned with her studious nature.
As a second-generation Chinese-Canadian, she also felt her parents’ high expectations to excel academically and pursue a traditional profession.
Attending Catholic schools like Bishop McNally and St. Mary’s High School, she immersed herself in academics through the rigorous International Baccalaureate program.
Beyond hitting the books, she also embraced sports — playing volleyball, basketball, rugby, and badminton. Yet underneath this diligent, lawyer-in-training exterior, she harbored a creative passion for acting.
Since age 10, when she asked her parents for an agent, she secretly loved to perform, joining school plays all through elementary and high school.
However, acting felt like an impractical career that would disappoint her traditional Chinese parents. So she followed the “straight and narrow path” they wanted, completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Calgary.
She then embarked on a corporate mergers and acquisitions job — a world’s away from the stage. But by 2014, she could no longer deny her acting dreams and left Calgary behind for artistic training in Vancouver.
Looking back, she appreciates her parents instilling a work ethic to succeed before she could wholeheartedly pursue her passion. Their high expectations prepared her to handle both the corporate and acting worlds.
Now able to balance her Chinese roots and artistic ambitions, she has no regrets about the roundabout journey to following her childhood acting aspirations.
Does Yvonne Chapman have siblings?
Though details on Chapman’s family are sparse, available information suggests she may be an only child.
When discussing her upbringing, she frequently references her parents’ lasting impact through their Chinese values and expectations to work hard academically. However, there needs to be an explicit mention of siblings shaping her journey to acting.
Yvonne Chapman with Shannon Dang (Source: Instagram)
Pouring herself into studies and sports while secretly harboring a creative side, it seems she had to navigate interests and ambitions outside her parents’ narrow vision for her future independently.
Now a successful actress balancing her Chinese heritage with her artistic path, she only discusses the parental and cultural influences she integrated independently.
While mere speculation, the lack of any siblings referenced could suggest Yvonne’s status as an only child tasked with fulfilling the dreams her immigrant parents had when coming to Canada.
Yvonne Chapman murdered her fictional sibling in ‘Kung Fu.’
While Chapman’s real-life sibling status remains vague, her complex dynamic with fictional sister Pei-Ling Zhang takes center stage on The CW’s Kung Fu.
As the show’s main antagonist, Zhilan Zhang, she killed her sister, Pei-Ling, in pursuit of power in Season 1. This brutal betrayal to gain the mythical Sword of Liang Daiyu set the tone for her relentless portrayal of the villainous Zhilan.
Beyond just sisters, Pei-Ling and Zhilan were initially devoted disciples studying martial arts together at the same Shaolin monastery as the protagonist, Nicky Shen.
Showing her eventual turn to the dark side, ambitious Zhilan murdered the monastery’s master and Pei-Ling to obtain the ancient sword’s magic.
Chapman toggles between Zhilan’s anger and guilt and shoots at redemption across seasons. Still, any glimmer of hope gets shattered when the character sacrifices herself in the Season 2 finale to save Nicky and the world.
While her off-screen familial ties remain uncertain, her complex sibling bond with fictional sister Pei-Ling showcases her most evocative acting work yet.
As the ruthless Zhilan Zhang in Kung Fu, murdering Pei-Ling represents her commitment to embodying a compelling, at times almost sympathetic, villain still struggling between good and evil today.
Yvonne Chapman career
Though Chapman was too shy to pursue acting at first openly, she further dipped her toes by modeling between Calgary and Hong Kong as a teenager.
But she ultimately completed university, and in 2014, the acting bug bit so hard that she risked it all by moving to Vancouver for professional training.
Her initial acting credits accrued gradually with minor TV parts on shows like The 100 and Second Chance. Her first big break came as a series regular on the 2019 Street Legal reboot. However, the show was canceled after its inaugural season.
The exposure helped her steadily book more supporting roles until she was cast as cunning villain Zhilan Zhang on The CW’s 2021 Kung Fu Update.
Initially booked for a recurring Season 1 arc, her riveting and complex performance as unhinged Zhilan was so well-received that she was upped to a prominent cast member for Season 2.
Between manipulating mystic weapons and her fictional sister Pei-Ling, she demonstrated surprising depth as Kung Fu’s formidable foe.
This career-defining role recently led to another high-profile booking: playing Avatar Kyoshi in Netflix’s highly-anticipated live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation.
Though the 10-year-old school play actress in Chapman could scarcely dream of, her steady ascent is no surprise given the nuanced talent she brings to every multidimensional character.
Actress
Edie Falco Reveals Her Kids Are Immune to ‘The Sopranos’ Fever
Edie Falco is a wonderful mother to her two adoptive kids, Anderson and Macy.
The acclaimed American actress Edie Falco is celebrated for her iconic roles in The Sopranos and Nurse Jackie. While her on-screen personas have captivated audiences worldwide, her real-life role as a mother of her two children remains equally remarkable.
In a recent interview, she humorously disclosed that her kids have surprisingly remained immune to the The Sopranos phenomenon that catapulted her to stardom.
This revelation has piqued their curiosity, prompting an exploration into the dynamics of her family life and her children’s indifference towards one of television’s most celebrated shows.
Edie Falce revealed that her kids don’t watch ‘The Sopranos’
Falco has revealed a surprising fact about her kids’ viewing habits. Despite her immense success and the show’s cultural impact, her two adopted children have shown no interest in watching the acclaimed drama that brought their mother critical acclaim and fame.
In a recent interview at the Garden of Laughs event in New York City, the 60-year-old actress admitted that her kids are “so over it” regarding The Sopranos.
She also shared that neither of her children has ever seen the show, seemingly unfazed by the cultural phenomenon that their mother was a part of.
Edie Falco with her teenagers (Source: Daily Mail)
While her kids may not appreciate her acting prowess in The Sopranos, Falco revealed that they enjoy the perks of having a famous mother.
She explained that her children are more impressed with the privileges and opportunities available due to her celebrity status rather than her actual work on the screen.
Despite her kids’ indifference towards The Sopranos, Falco remains hopeful that they may eventually develop an appreciation for the show that catapulted her to stardom.
Meet Edie Falco’s two kids
Falco is a proud mother of two adopted children – her son Anderson and daughter Macy. She became a first-time mom when she adopted her son Anderson in 2005.
From an early age, she was open with him about his adoption, making sure the topic was discussed openly in their household.
Then, three years after adopting Anderson, Falco welcomed her daughter Macy into her family in 2008 as an infant. Like her brother, Macy was raised with open conversations about her adoption story.
Now a teenager, Falco has experienced the typical parent-child dynamic shift as her kids have grown more independent and distant, something she humorously acknowledges as a sign of good parenting.
In her pre-teen years, Falco has described Macy as a “wise guy” who, along with her brother, has started to exhibit typical rebellious teenage behavior towards her mom.
While admitting she doesn’t enjoy this new phase, Falco recognizes it as a natural part of their development.
Edie Falco on why she decided on parenting
Falco’s decision to become a parent through adoption was a deeply personal and thoughtful one. Despite her successful acting career, she felt a strong calling to start a family and raise children.
In her own words, she knew there came a certain point in her life when it was simply “time to raise kids.” This realization came after going through a few serious relationships that didn’t work out but left her with a lingering desire for motherhood.
As she reflected, even though those relationships ended, her yearning to have children remained alive.
Edie Falco with her son Anderson and daughter Macy (Source: The List)
After overcoming breast cancer, she viewed it as a pivotal moment to pursue parenthood. At 40 years old and single, she didn’t want to let her marital status deter her from experiencing motherhood.
With a pragmatic outlook, she decided not to wait for a partner, figuring that aspect of her life could unfold naturally later on. Her clarity on wanting kids surpassed her need for a romantic relationship then.
The idea of adoption resonated with Falco, allowing her to fulfill her dream of raising children on her terms. She embraced the adoption process wholeheartedly, recognizing it as the right path to building her family.
Edie Falco mourns the end of her time parenting little kids
Falco’s journey into motherhood has been filled with immense joy and love. Still, she also openly acknowledges the bittersweet reality of watching her children grow up too quickly.
As her son Anderson, 19, and daughter Macy, 16, have transitioned from little kids into teenagers, she has experienced a sense of mourning for that fleeting stage of early parenthood.
In her candid words, Falco equates the departure of those precious little years to a profound “death” – an emotional farewell to a chapter that can never be relived.
She reminisces the irreplaceable moments of having her young children fall asleep peacefully on her lap, emanating an overwhelming and pure love that only a parent can understand.
Edie Falco with her kids when they were younger (Source: Pinterest)
While undoubtedly proud to see her kids blossom into their individuals, Falco can’t help but feel nostalgic about those delicate early memories gradually fading into the past.
She laments how quickly that blissful phase evaporated, now only preserved through photographs and videos on her phone – frozen moments in time that can never be recreated.
Even as exciting new phases begin, there is an inherent mourning for what has been left behind – the tender, all-consuming energies of nurturing little beings who once wholly depended on her care and presence.
Edie Falco’s kids often visit her on set
Falco has made a concerted effort to integrate her professional acting career with her role as a mother, frequently bringing her kids along to visit her on set while filming.
It has allowed her children, especially her daughter Macy, to be immersed in and gain an up-close understanding of the behind-the-scenes world their mom occupies.
In Falco’s own words, she loves having Macy run around the set, getting hands-on experience by giving treats to the cast and crew members.
Edie Falco with her daughter Macy (Source: POPSUGAR)
The young teen has even tried on vintage wardrobe pieces from various productions, delighting in dressing up as a “1950s little waitress” while accompanying her mom at work.
Beyond just observing, Macy has taken an active role in helping out on set in her little ways.
With one of Falco’s close friends working as a prop assistant, Macy has lent a hand with simple tasks like removing paper towels from prop items – a chance for her to feel involved and part of the action.
For Falco, this immersive experience serves a deeper purpose – she wants her daughter to grow up understanding and appreciating her work, demystifying the allure of her Hollywood career.
Actress
Melissa Gilbert Remembers Her ‘Father Figure’ Michael Landon
The actress talks about the influence Michael Landon had on her life.
Melissa Gilbert started her career as a child actor. She gained prominence at just 10 years of age, playing Laura Ingalls Wilder, the second oldest daughter of Charles Ingalls (played by Michael Landon) in the NBC series Little House on the Prairie.
The late actor and filmmaker Landon played the role of her father for nine years, and it turns out to have stemmed from personal relationships. In a recent interview with People, Gilbert talks about her special bond with the co-star.
The interview happened during the 50th anniversary celebration of Little House on the Prairie Cast Reunion and Festivals. Gilbert revealed that Landon was a father figure for not just her but the majority of the cast.
The Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion and Festival lasted three days (March 22, 23 & 24). It was an interactive experience and tour celebrating the TV series and providing fans with a unique opportunity.
“Michael Landon was like a father figure to many of us, obviously, and a very, very important influence in my life,” says Gilbert, explaining her own experiences in fatherhood.
She revealed that her father passed away when she was 11 years of age, and it was while working on the series. Therefore, the actress says Landon watched over her in a much more paternal way.
Gilbert added that they had become very close and that their family had also vacationed together. They also celebrated New Year’s together.
Landon seems to have tried to fill the void of Gilbert’s missing father, and the actress appreciates the effort. She remembers him to this date as a great man and a great father figure.
Melissa Gilbert remembers Michael Landon as a great person
Apart from being a great ‘father figure,’ Gilbert also reveals that Landon was special to other members of the cast as well. Landon was a very giving person and went above and beyond for people close to him.
Gilbert remembers Landon giving amazing presents to his cast members. He would also announce the Rose Parade for NBC for free, and instead of the money, he would give Christmas gifts to the cast.
Melissa Gilbert with Michael Landon on ‘Little House on the Prairie’ (Source: PanCAN)
Not only that, but Gilbert also contributes to the success of the program for Landon. She says, “It blows my mind that all of this is because of him. These people are here because he wrote this show and directed it and produced it, and I know that he would be incredibly proud if he could see this.”
Unfortunately, the actor died in 1991 due to pancreatic cancer. She ended the interview by saying, “This is a legacy. A hundred percent.”
Although it’s been 50 years since the release of Little House on the Prairie, the show and its cast are equally famous. The show started in 1974 with popular main cast members like Landon, Gilbert, Melissa Sue Anderson, Sidney Greenbush, and Dean Butler.
Back in 2022, Gilbert remembered the actor on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of his death. She wrote a heartfelt essay through PanCAN, which is a charity fund for people affected by the disease.
“Today I am missing my mentor, my acting partner, my favorite director, father figure, friend, and boss. Today I am missing my Pa. Today I am missing Michael Landon. So much so, that I can feel it in my chest, in my heart. I am aching for him,” she says.
All About Michael Landon
Gilbert’s ‘father figure’ Landon was an American actor and filmmaker who is known for his role in the hit series Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven.
He was born on October 31, 1936, as Eugene Maurice Orowitz in Forest Hills, New York. He was the son of Peggy and Eli Maurice Orowitz. His father was Jewish, and his mother was Roman Catholic who used to be a professional comedian.
Landon’s childhood was marked by challenges, including his mother’s suicide attempts, which led to stress-related issues such as bedwetting. He attended Collingswood High School in New Jersey and showed talent in javelin throwing.
Michael Landon with his wife and kids (Source: Wide Open Country)
Despite initially pursuing athletics with a scholarship offer from the University of Southern California, Landon shifted towards show business after a shoulder injury ended his athletic career. He then began appearing in various television shows and movies, gradually building his acting career.
He then gained huge recognition through his role in the series Bonanza, where he was also a writer and director. After his role in the series, he went on to appear as the main cast of the series The Little House on the Prairie, where he is also the executive producer, director, and writer.
During his lifetime, the actor has been married three times and also has 9 children. Among his children, 5 of his children are active in the entertainment industry; Mark Fraser Landon, Leslie Ann Landon, Michael Landon Jr., Christopher Beau Landon, and Jennifer Rachel Landon.
Landon suffered a severe headache during a skiing vacation in 1991. After the checkup, he was diagnosed with a severe form of pancreatic cancer known as exocrine adenocarcinoma.
He did several surgeries and procedures during that time, but his disease was terminal. He passed away on July 1 at the age of 54 years, in his Malibu house at 1:20 pm with his wife at his bedside.
Actress
Josie Totah Has Plans for Roles beyond LGBTQ+ Characters
The actress states she is inspired by stories, not characters.
Josie Totah played the leading role of Mabel Emsworth in the 2023 historical series The Buccaneers. In this series, her character falls in love with a woman named Honoria Marable (portrayed by Mia Threapleton).
The American actress has openly come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and is transgender. Due to her sexuality and her portrayal of similar roles in various movies and TV shows, people have been wondering if she will take on similar roles in the future.
However, this does not seem to be the case for the actress, as she has firmly mentioned she is open to any role as she is an actress first. She attended the 2024 SCAD TVFest in Atlanta in February and mentioned her plans to work in various roles with people.
Josie Totah receives the ‘SCAD TVFest Rising Star Award’ (Source: Instagram)
In the interview, she mentioned that she is willing to take on various roles as she follows the story. She expresses her wishes to work as an actor and to uplift storytellers whom she fancies and tells stories that need to be said.
Totah wore an all-black outfit with white detailings at the event and was one of the nominees. She received the SCAD TVFest Rising Star Award at the event.
This enthusiastic actress has been working in the entertainment industry since 2012 but recently gained prominence due to her leading roles in several movies and TV shows. Her role in the 2021 movie Moxie was well-received by critics and the public.
Josie Totah came out as a transgender person in 2018
Although many suspected Totah to be gay as she hadn’t transitioned yet and appeared in many productions as J.J. Totah. She made herself publicly known as a trans-woman in 2018, exclusively through the Time Magazine.
She started her interview by stating she was always grateful to get roles in great projects like The Champions. However, she always felt she let herself shoved into a box as J.J. Totah, a gay boy.
Ever since Totah was a child, the people around her always viewed her as gay, as she was a bit different from others. Not only that, even the entertainment industry gave her that image due to the roles she played.
She also revealed that many reporters asked her what it was like being a gay young man, and many were already quick to assume the same. The actress also clarified being a member of the LGBTQ+ community before, but it only led to more people thinking she’s gay.
Therefore, the actress made a very bold decision to be free and let everyone know her natural sexuality. Despite what she might be hearing, support, or hate, she outed herself as Josie Totah, a trans-woman.
Totah identifies as a female and uses the pronoun she/her/hers. In a very heartfelt letter, she also says this is not something that happened out of the blue nor the choice she made.
The actress found out about her sexuality at the young age of 14 while watching the series I Am Jazz with her mother. In the middle of the show, she revealed to have yelled at her mother, saying this is what I have to do (while watching Jazz Jennings going through a medical transition).
This revelation might not have been easy, but it sure helped that her mother was super supportive from the start. Therefore, at 14, she started taking hormone blockers.
During the initial stages of transition, Totah was in constant fear of society as well as the effect of male hormones on her body. She was also scared about the identity documents and how people would see her.
However, the actress has had many reassurances in her life. She felt delighted hearing Josie from friends and family, and it was a process of healing and better understanding herself.
She wraps up her heartfelt note, stating, “This week, I’m going off to college. I’m also going to continue my acting career, and I am so excited to do both things myself. I plan to play roles I haven’t had the opportunity to play. And I can only imagine how much more fun it’s going to be to play someone who shares my identity, rather than having to contort myself to play a boy. I’m going to gun for those roles, be it a transgender female or a cisgender female. Because it’s a clean slate — and a new world.”
Josie Totah’s advancements in roles
Totah played the role of a boy in several movies and TV shows until 2018, including Glee, Champions, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. After she came out to the world in 2018, her first project was the American comedy series The Other Two, in which she played the role of Elijah.
Josie Totah poses for Galore (Source: Instagram)
In the same year, she played the role of Lisa Haddad in four episodes of the American comedy No Good Nick. The actress started playing female roles actively and got her first leading role in the sitcom Saved by the Bell, where she portrayed the role of Lexi Haddad-DeFabrizio.
She went on to appear as CJ in the 2021 movie Moxie and played minor roles in some series, like Human Resources and Mr Mayor. Her most recent work is in the historical series The Buccaneers, which has increased her fame to the next level.
Totah has active plans to stay in the entertainment industry and is also set to appear in the upcoming horror movie Faces of Death. We hope she gets to play more dynamic roles in the future as she hopes to get.
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