Kelly Hu Net Worth

Kelly Hu’s Net Worth: A Comprehensive Look at the Actress’s Career and Fortune

Introduction: Kelly Hu – From Beauty Queen to Hollywood Star

Kelly Hu is a multifaceted American actress, activist, and former fashion model who has captivated audiences for decades. Her career spans television, film, and video games, showcasing her versatility and enduring appeal. But what is Kelly Hu’s net worth? This article delves into Hu’s career, exploring her journey from beauty pageants to Hollywood stardom, and provides an estimated net worth based on her extensive body of work and various ventures.

Early Life and Background

Kelly Ann Hu was born on February 13, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her diverse heritage, including Chinese, Hawaiian, and English ancestry, has undoubtedly contributed to her unique perspective and global appeal. Hu’s parents, Juanita (an engineering drafter) and Herbert (a salesman and exotic bird breeder), instilled in her a strong work ethic and a sense of cultural pride. She attended Ma’ema’e Elementary School and Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, laying the foundation for her future success.

Beauty Pageant Success: Miss Teen USA and Miss Hawaii USA

Hu’s journey to stardom began in the world of beauty pageants. Inspired by her cousin’s modeling success and harboring passions for singing and dancing, she entered the Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageant in 1985. She not only won the title but went on to be crowned Miss Teen USA 1985, becoming the first Asian-American to achieve this honor. This victory catapulted her into the public eye and opened doors to modeling opportunities in Italy and Japan, as well as television commercials, including one for Philadelphia cream cheese. In 1993, Hu made history again by winning Miss Hawaii USA, making her the first former Miss Teen USA to claim a Miss USA state title. She finished fourth in the subsequent Miss USA pageant.

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Television Career Highlights: From Soaps to Prime Time

Hu’s television career is marked by a series of memorable roles across various genres. Her first major role was in the sitcom “Growing Pains” from 1987 to 1988, where she played the Hawaiian love interest of Mike Seaver. She subsequently appeared in numerous popular shows, including “Night Court,” “Tour of Duty,” “21 Jump Street,” and “Melrose Place,” showcasing her versatility as an actress. In 1996, Hu’s television presence expanded significantly with roles in the television film “Star Command” and the series “Murder One,” “The Sentinel,” “One West Waikiki,” “Pacific Blue,” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” Her career reached new heights in 1997 with roles as Dr. Rae Chang on the soap opera “Sunset Beach” and Inspector Michelle Chan on the police procedural “Nash Bridges.” A significant role followed in 1998, with Hu playing Detective Grace “Pei Pei” Chen in the series “Martial Law,” which starred Sammo Hung and ran for two seasons. After “Martial Law,” Hu had recurring roles in shows like “Boomtown,” “Threat Matrix,” and “CSI: NY.” She continued her television work with roles in “The Librarian: Quest for the Spear,” “Mayday,” and a main role in the sitcom “In Case of Emergency.” In 2007, she began voicing Stacy Hirano on the animated series “Phineas and Ferb.” Her television work continued with roles in “Army Wives,” “The Spectacular Spider-Man,” and guest appearances on “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “NCIS.” From 2010 to 2011, she played Pearl Zhu on “The Vampire Diaries,” had a recurring role on “Hawaii Five-0,” and began voicing characters on “Young Justice.” More recently, she has voiced roles in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure,” and “The Legend of Vox Machina.” Hu’s credits also include recurring roles on “Arrow,” “Warehouse 13,” and “The Orville,” as well as a main role in the first season of “The 100.” She also starred in the 2021 television film “List of a Lifetime.”

Film Career: Blockbusters and Beyond

Hu’s film debut came in 1989 with “Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan.” She went on to appear in films such as “The Doors,” “Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man,” and “Surf Ninjas.” The 1990s also saw her in thrillers like “No Way Back” and “Strange Days,” culminating in a role in the comedy “Fakin’ da Funk.” One of her most recognizable film roles was in the 2002 action-adventure film “The Scorpion King,” where she played the sorceress Cassandra. She further expanded her filmography with roles in “Cradle 2 the Grave” and “X2: X-Men United,” solidifying her presence in the action and superhero genres. Her film credits also include “Underclassman,” “Americanese,” “Undoing,” “Devil’s Den,” “The Air I Breathe,” “Dim Sum Funeral,” and “The Tournament.” In 2011, she starred in the drama “Almost Perfect.” The following year she took a supporting role in the dramedy “White Frog.” Hu’s more recent film appearances include “Age of Tomorrow,” “Death Valley,” “Kepler’s Dream,” and the Russian film “Maximum Impact.” She also appeared in “Go Back to China,” “Finding ‘Ohana,” and the animated superhero films “Batman: Soul of the Dragon” and “Catwoman: Hunted.”

Video Game Voice Acting: A Prolific Career

In addition to her work in television and film, Kelly Hu has established a successful career as a voice actress in video games. Her first video game credit was in “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords,” where she voiced Visas Marr. Since then, she has lent her voice to numerous popular games, including “Fracture,” “Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3,” “Afro Samurai,” “Ninja Blade,” and “Terminator Salvation.” Hu has also voiced characters in games like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Batman: Arkham Origins,” “Infinite Crisis,” and the “Mortal Kombat” series, including “Mortal Kombat X” and “Mortal Kombat 11.” This aspect of her career highlights her versatility and ability to connect with different audiences.

Personal Life and Activism

Kelly Hu’s personal life includes relationships with Ahmad Ali Moussaui (1996-1998), Gordon Gilbertson (around a year), and music producer Mitch Allen (2010-2016). Outside of her acting career, Hu is an avid poker player, participating in the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. She is also deeply committed to activism and philanthropy. She supports organizations such as the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, Save the Children, and Best Buddies International. Notably, she is involved in environmental activism, working to protect Hawaii’s ecology through her support of Reef Check Hawaii and by participating in the Honolulu Marathon to raise awareness and funds.

Kelly Hu’s Net Worth: Current Estimates

Estimating a celebrity’s net worth is often a complex process. It involves analyzing various sources of income, including acting salaries, residuals, endorsements, and other business ventures. Based on her extensive and diverse career in film, television, and video games, along with her modeling work and philanthropic endeavors, Kelly Hu’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. This figure reflects her consistent work over several decades and her ability to diversify her talents across different media.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Kelly Hu

Kelly Hu has solidified her place in the entertainment industry through her talent, versatility, and dedication. From her early success in beauty pageants to her diverse roles in television, film, and video games, she has created a lasting legacy. Her ongoing work in voice acting and her commitment to philanthropic causes demonstrate a continuous drive to contribute to the world around her. Kelly Hu’s estimated net worth reflects her sustained success and her enduring popularity among fans worldwide.