Rae Dawn Chong

Rae Dawn Chong is a renowned Canadian-American actress who made her first major screen appearance in the 1978 musical drama film Stony Island. Her performance in the 1981 fantasy film Quest for Fire gained significant recognition and led to her receiving the Genie Award for Best Actress. Chong's acting career encompasses a range of roles in films like Beat Street (1984), American Flyers (1985), The Color Purple (1985), Commando (1985), Soul Man (1986), The Principal (1987), Tales from the Darkside (1990), Time Runner (1993), and Boulevard (1994). Aside from her acting career, she's known for her distinguished family background as the daughter of comedian and actor Tommy Chong. From a young age, Chong showed interest in her family's film-related activities, something that deeply influenced her future career choices.

Chong's acting legacy continues, with notable performances in television, including a starring role in the science fiction drama series Mysterious Ways from 2000 to 2002. She also made appearances in Wild Card, Better Things, and 9-1-1. In 2021, she took on the character of Betty Currie in the FX series Impeachment: American Crime Story. That same year, she received the Invisible Woman Award from the Women Film Critics Circle. Chong's contribution to the film industry extends to scouting and offering opportunities to upcoming talents, a notable example being her discovery of Chris Pratt, whom she cast in her directorial debut. In 2022, she played Florence de Pointe du Lac in the AMC series Interview with the Vampire.