This article uses bare URLs, which are uninformative and vulnerable to link rot. Please consider converting them to full citations to ensure the article remains verifiable and maintains a consistent citation style. Several templates and tools are available to assist in formatting, such as reFill (documentation) and Citation bot (documentation). (August 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.Find sources: "Sumalee Montano" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Sumalee Montano
Montano at the 2019 WonderCon
Born (1972-08-03) August 3, 1972 (age 51)
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
EducationHarvard University (AB)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • filmmaker
Years active1999–present
Known forSpace Channel 5
ER
Transformers: Prime
Spouse
Craig Zimmerman
​
​
(m. 2011)​
Websitesumalee.com

Sumalee Montano (born August 3, 1972) is an American actress and film producer. Originally, she worked as an investment bank analyst in New York City and Hong Kong before starting her acting career.

For TV and film, Montano has appeared on Close to Home, Days of Our Lives, Nashville, Scandal, The Young and the Restless, This Is Us and Veep. As a voice actress, she has provided the voices of Pudding in Space Channel 5 and its sequel, Arcee on Transformers: Prime, Cali in the Skylanders series, Katana on Beware the Batman, the President in Saints Row IV, the female Inquisitor in Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Yuna in Ghost of Tsushima. She has also guest starred as Nila on the web series Critical Role.

She resides and works in Los Angeles but was born in Columbus, Ohio.

Early life

Montano is of Filipino[1] and Thai descent and grew up mostly in the United States, but also spent a few years in Bangkok, Thailand. During her high school career, she began acting as an extracurricular activity.[2] Her granduncle is Filipino actor and writer Severino Montano.[3]

Education and acting career

She graduated from Harvard University in 1993 and is a U.S. Fulbright scholar.[4] After graduation, she worked as an investment banking analyst for Morgan Stanley for a few years.[5] After realizing investment banking wasn't something she was passionate about, Montano quit and went backpacking through Africa before realizing she wanted to pursue acting professionally.[6]

Montano has taken on a variety of different roles, both live-action and voice-over. She is talented in using many different accents, including Chinese, Filipino, British, Southern, Thai, Vietnamese, Eastern European and Japanese.[7] Her first voice acting role was as Pudding in the 1999 music-rhythm game, Space Channel 5. Her first major acting role was playing the nurse Duvata Mahal for three seasons of the TV show ER.[6]

In 2021, Sumalee Montano gained acclaim for her role as Inoue Sato in the Peacock TV series The Lost Symbol.[8] Following her portrayal as Sato, she had also appeared in the 2021 animated Disney series The Ghost and Molly McGee, voicing Sharon McGee, the titular character's mother, and Grandma Nin.

Filmography

Voice acting

Video games

List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes Source
1999 Space Channel 5 Pudding First console game [9][10]
2001 SimCoaster Additional Voices
2002 Space Channel 5: Part 2 Additional voices/hostages Archive footage from Part 1, Pudding's dialogue
2003 The Sims Sim
2003 Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack Pudding
2003 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Lashowe, Belaya, Rahasia Sandral, Duel Spectator
2003 Gladius Additional Voices
2003 Space Channel 5: Special Edition Pudding/additional voices Disc 2 (Part 2) only includes archive footage
2006 CSI: 3 Dimensions of Murder Lucy Canelli, Maya Nguyen
2007 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Hard Evidence Liz Schmidt, Nicole Simms
2007 Commander in Chief Air Force Reporter
2008 Sega Superstars Tennis Pudding Voiced alongside Larissa Murray [11]
2010 Army of Two: The 40th Day Mei Lin
2011 Call of Juarez: The Cartel Shane Dickson
2011 Dead Island Yerema [10]
2011 X-Men: Destiny Mystique [10]
2011 Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Cali [10]
2011 Star Wars: The Old Republic Shae Vizla
2012 Mass Effect 3 Nyreen Kandros Omega DLC
2012 Diablo III Eirena the Enchantress [10]
2012 Guild Wars 2 Janis, Marjory Delaqua, Sayida the Sly
2012 World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Liu Flameheart, Suna Silentstrike, Sun Tenderheart
2012 Skylanders: Giants Cali
2012 Transformers: Prime – The Game Arcee [10]
2012 Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Pudding Voiced alongside Apollo Smile [12]
2013 Saints Row IV The President [10]
2013 Skylanders: Swap Force Cali
2013 République Abal Ammash [10]
2014 The Elder Scrolls Online Female Redguard, Female Khajiit #1, Additional Voices
2014 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Whitney Chang [10]
2014 WildStar Tresayne Toria, Vesna Taranoft, Nuriam
2014 Skylanders: Trap Team Cali
2014 Dragon Age: Inquisition Female Inquisitor (American Accent)
2015 Saints Row: Gat out of Hell The President [10]
2015 Skylanders: SuperChargers Cali [13]
2015 Fallout 4 Rachel, Female Gunners, Institute Scientist
2015 StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Tal'darim Mothership
2016 XCOM 2 Female Soldier
2016 Mirror's Edge Catalyst Erika Connors [10]
2016 Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars Terran Advisor
2017 For Honor Ayu [10]
2017 Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series Mantis [10]
2017 Prey Morgan Yu (Female), January (Female) [10]
2017 Destiny 2 Suraya Hawthorne
2017 Batman: The Enemy Within Renee Montoya, Casino Patron, Newscaster #2 [10]
2018 Lego DC Super-Villains Katana, Huntress
2018 Epic Seven Aramintha, Maya, Kiris [10]
2019 Anthem Aunt Cardea
2019 Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order Mystique [10]
2019 The Outer Worlds Zora Blackwood
2019 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Mari Kosan
2020 Ghost of Tsushima Yuna Also motion capture
2020 Yakuza: Like a Dragon Additional voices [14]
2020 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Aruni Operation Neon Dawn expansion [15]
2021 Lost Judgment Reiko Kusumoto [10]
2022 Return to Monkey Island Flair Gorey [10]
2022 Naraka: Bladepoint Justina Gu [16]
2023 Dead Space Dr. Elizabeth Cross [17]
2023 Starfield Supervisor Lin [18]

Film

List of voice performances in direct-to-video, feature and television films
Year Title Role Notes Source
2011 Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters the Wu sisters Short film [10]
2012 Superman vs. The Elite Newscaster [10]
2013 Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Arcee [10]
2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Mera [10]
2016 Only Yesterday Kiyoko English dub
2016 10 Cloverfield Lane Voice on Radio [10]
2019 Justice League vs. the Fatal Five Emerald Empress, Pharmacist [19]
2021 PAW Patrol: The Movie Additional Voices (US)
2022 Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Kindra [20]

Animation

List of voice performances in animation
Year Title Role Notes Source
2010–13 Transformers: Prime Arcee, Raf's Mother Main role [10]
2013–14 Beware the Batman Katana, Additional Voices Main role [10]
2017 The Loud House Maria Santiago [10]
2017 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Arachne, Harpy Episode: "Greece Is the Word" [10]
2017–18 Bunnicula Fluffy Episodes: "Vampire Rabbit Season" and "Harold the Vampire Pointer" [10]
2018 Voltron: Legendary Defender Admiral Sanda, Principle [21][10]
2018–19 Spider-Man Yuri Watanabe, Nurse [10]
2019–20 Star Wars Resistance Agent Tierny [10]
2019 Love, Death & Robots Young Yan, Woman Episode: "Good Hunting"
2019 Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny Shi Long Episode: "Curse of the Monkey King"
2019 Amphibia Additional Voices Episode: "Reunion"
2019–22 The Casagrandes Maria Santiago Main role
2019 Cannon Busters 12welve, Additional Voices English dub
2019 Carmen Sandiego Lady Dokuso 2 episodes
2019 Cleopatra in Space Administrant Khepra, Musti
2020 Where's Waldo? Wizard Flambé Episode: "Mad About Madagascar"
2020 DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders Fanthom Episode: "Divewings"
2021 Robot Chicken Baby Secret, Pinhead's Mother Episode: "May Cause Lucid Murder Dreams"
2021–2024 The Ghost and Molly McGee Sharon McGee, Grandma Nin Main role
2022 Dragon Age: Absolution Hira Main role [22]
2023 The Legend of Vox Machina Highbearer Vord Episode: "The Trials of Vasselheim"

Live-action

Television

List of acting performances in television
Year Title Role Notes Source
2002–05 E.R. Duvata Mahal 10 episodes
2003 Strong Medicine Med Student #2 Episode: "Vaccinations"
2005 Judging Amy Helen Episode: "The New Normal"
2005 Medium Nurse #1 Episode: "Penny for Your Thoughts"
2005 The Comeback Producer Episode: "Valerie Stands Out on the Red Carpet"
2005–06 The West Wing Vinick Reporter #1 2 episodes
2005–07 Close to Home Melinda Mallari 6 episodes
2006 Bones Alexandra Combs Episode: "The Graft in the Girl"
2006 Commander in Chief Air Force One Reporter Episode: "Happy Birthday, Madam President"
2007 Shogunate Lady Sakato Adachi Television movie
2007 Cane Christine Kim 2 episodes
2007 Lincoln Heights Nurse Tan Episode: "The Vision"
2007 Shark Arlene Pierce Episode: "Every Breath You Take"
2007–08 The Young and the Restless Dr. Maya Bagano 5 episodes
2008 Boston Legal Dr. Linda Corbin Episode: "Kill, Baby, Kill!"
2009 Big Love Dr. Gowan Episode: "Empire"
2009 Nip/Tuck Dr. Wu Episode: "Briggitte Reinholt"
2010 Glory Daze Kim-Ly Franklin Episode: "Papa Don't Pre-Game"
2011 Harry's Law Dr. Erica Christie Episode: "In the Ghetto"
2012 The Finder Lee Scott Episode: "Little Green Men"
2012 NCIS: Los Angeles Yen Tran Episode: "The Dragon and the Fairy"
2012 Parenthood Malea Episode: "What to My Wondering Eyes"
2013 Monday Mornings Lynne Iverson Episode: "Wheels Within Wheels"
2013 Touch Nurse Liz 2 episodes
2014–17 Days of Our Lives Dr. Yuen, Dr. Ong 3 episodes
2015 The Mentalist Susan Nguyen Episode: "Green Light"
2015 NCIS: New Orleans Melanie Pratt Episode: "Touched by the Sun"
2015–16 Nashville Dr. Kitley 4 episodes
2016–17 Veep Joyce Cafferty 3 episodes
2016 Rizzoli & Isles Judge Huang Episode: "65 Hours"
2016 Grey's Anatomy Lena McCallister Episode: "Catastrophe and the Cure"
2016 Shameless Turks Episode: "Hiraeth"
2017 NCIS Nicole Taggart Episode: "Rendezvous"
2017 Kevin (Probably) Saves the World Tracy Haslett Episode: "Rocky Road"
2017 Dynasty Deirde Episode: "Company Slut"
2018 Scandal Maria Campo 4 episodes
2018 Critical Role Nila 2 episodes
2018 Animal Kingdom Melanie Southards 2 episodes
2018 This Is Us Dr. Gail Jasper 3 episodes
2018–19 S.W.A.T. Gwen 3 episodes
2018 Blue Bloods Inspector Jane Kimura Episode: "Trust"
2018 The Gifted Dr. Taylor Episode: "iMprint"
2019 How to Get Away with Murder FBI Agent Nancy Bayer 2 episodes
2019 Magnum P.I. Judge Majorie Kamaka Episode: "Murder Is Never Quiet"
2019 SEAL Team Agent Susan Craver Episode: "The Ones You Can't See"
2019 The Resident Trish Tintoc Episode: "Out for Blood"
2020 Star Trek: Picard Dahj and Soji's Mother Episode: "Remembrance"
2020 Hawaii Five-0 Yang Episode: "He kauwa ke kanaka na ke aloha"
2021 The Lost Symbol Inoue Sato Main role [23]

Film

List of acting performances in films
Year Title Role Notes Source
2002 Teknolust Nelia Uncredited
2002 Cherish Officer Montano
2002 Minority Report Talking Billboard Uncredited
2003 Water Under the Bridge Sara
2006 Danika News Reporter
2008 Hancock News Anchor Uncredited
2009 Eating Out: All You Can Eat Pam
2011 Losing Control Breanna Lee

References

  1. ^ Farris, Christopher (February 11, 2019). "These Filipinos Are the Voices of Modern Cartoon and Anime Characters". Esquire. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on July 8, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  2. ^ "Voice Actor Interview: Sumalee Montano | BWTF". www.bwtf.com. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "Bio".
  4. ^ "Sumalee Montano". Sumalee Montano. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "Sumalee Montano". Sumalee Montano. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Voice Actor Interview: Sumalee Montano". BWTF. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  7. ^ "Sumalee Montano". Sumalee Montano. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  8. ^ "Watch Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol Streaming (2021-) | Peacock". @peacocktv. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  9. ^ Montano, Sumalee [@sumaleedotcom] (September 14, 2020). "1st and last console games I worked on 😊 https://t.co/sMxnBLyokL https://t.co/ajonLerLqL" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af "Sumalee Montano (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved June 27, 2017. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  11. ^ "Sega Superstars Tennis". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  12. ^ "Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  13. ^ Vicarious Visions. Skylanders: SuperChargers. Activision. Scene: Closing credits, 7:13 in, Voice Actors.
  14. ^ Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Sega. Scene: Ending credits, 0:46.
  15. ^ Montano, Sumalee [@sumaleedotcom] (November 5, 2020). "Here's 20 seconds of my newest alter ego from @Rainbow6Game 💪💥😘 #Aruni #RainbowSixSiege https://t.co/JxydEINJZ8" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ https://i0.wp.com/www.godisageek.com/wp-content/uploads/Naraka-Bladepoint-Characters-13-1024x576.jpg?resize=900%2C506&ssl=1
  17. ^ "Dead Space (Video Game 2023) - IMDb". IMDb.
  18. ^ "Sumalee Montano Confirms Her Role in Starfield".
  19. ^ Couch, Aaron (January 7, 2019). "'Justice League vs. The Fatal Five' Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  20. ^ "Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Movie Release Date and 4K Blu-Ray Pre-Order Details".
  21. ^ Montano, Sumalee [@sumaleedotcom] (August 10, 2018). "I'm SO thrilled to join this incredible cast!!! Admiral Sanda here, urging you to check out all new episodes of @Voltron Legendary Defender. Now on @Netflix. Whoooo-Hooooo!!! #Voltron #lovemyjob https://t.co/XmVWDQ7zfA" (Tweet). Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ "'Dragon Age: Absolution' Sets Voice Cast and Unveils New Trailer, First-Look Images for Netflix Animated Series". Deadline Hollywood (Press release). November 10, 2022.
  23. ^ Peacock [@peacockTV] (September 15, 2021). "Finding a show with an incredible cast of characters has never been so easy. 🔎 📺: Dan Brown's #TheLostSymbol https://t.co/Sb6lFlmUmH" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Twitter.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Sumalee Montano.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sumalee Montano.
Authority control databases
Categories