# Sumalee Montano

Sumalee Montano 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.

## Early life

Montano is of Filipino 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. Her great-uncle is Filipino actor and writer Severino Montano.

## Education and acting career

She graduated from Harvard University in 1993 and is a U.S. Fulbright scholar. After graduation, she worked as an investment banking analyst for Morgan Stanley for a few years. 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.
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. 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.
In 2021, Sumalee Montano gained acclaim for her role as Inoue Sato in the Peacock TV series The Lost Symbol. 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 |
| 1999 | Space Channel 5 | Pudding | First console game |
| 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 |
| 2010 | Army of Two: The 40th Day | Mei Lin | |
| 2011 | Call of Juarez: The Cartel | Shane Dickson | |
| 2011 | Dead Island | Yerema | |
| 2011 | X-Men: Destiny | Mystique | |
| 2011 | Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure | Cali | |
| 2011 | Star Wars: The Old Republic | Shae Vizla | |
| 2012 | Mass Effect 3 | Nyreen Kandros | Omega DLC |
| 2012 | Diablo III | Eirena the Enchantress | |
| 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 | |
| 2012 | Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed | Pudding | Voiced alongside Apollo Smile |
| 2013 | Saints Row IV | The President | |
| 2013 | Skylanders: Swap Force | Cali | |
| 2013 | République | Abal Ammash | |
| 2014 | The Elder Scrolls Online | Female Redguard, Female Khajiit #1, Additional Voices | |
| 2014 | The Amazing Spider-Man 2 | Whitney Chang | |
| 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 | |
| 2015 | Skylanders: SuperChargers | Cali | |
| 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 | |
| 2016 | Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars | Terran Advisor | |
| 2017 | For Honor | Ayu | |
| 2017 | Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series | Mantis | |
| 2017 | Prey | Morgan Yu (Female), January (Female) | |
| 2017 | Destiny 2 | Suraya Hawthorne | |
| 2017 | Batman: The Enemy Within | Renee Montoya, Casino Patron, Newscaster #2 | |
| 2018 | Lego DC Super-Villains | Katana, Huntress | |
| 2018 | Epic Seven | Aramintha, Maya, Kiris | |
| 2019 | Anthem | Aunt Cardea | |
| 2019 | Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order | Mystique | |
| 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 | |
| 2020 | Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege | Aruni | Operation Neon Dawn expansion |
| 2021 | Lost Judgment | Reiko Kusumoto | |
| 2022 | Return to Monkey Island | Flair Gorey | |
| 2022 | Naraka: Bladepoint | Justina Gu | |
| 2023 | Dead Space | Dr. Elizabeth Cross | |
| 2023 | Starfield | Supervisor Lin | |
| 2023 | Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name | Additional voices | |
| 2024 | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | Additional voices | |

#### Film

List of voice performances in direct-to-video, feature and television films :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2011 | Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters | the Wu sisters | Short film |
| 2012 | Superman vs. The Elite | Newscaster | |
| 2013 | Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising | Arcee | |
| 2015 | Justice League: Throne of Atlantis | Mera | |
| 2016 | Only Yesterday | Kiyoko | English dub |
| 2016 | 10 Cloverfield Lane | Voice on Radio | |
| 2019 | Justice League vs. the Fatal Five | Emerald Empress, Pharmacist | |
| 2021 | PAW Patrol: The Movie | Additional Voices (US) | |
| 2022 | Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind | Kindra | |
| 2024 | The Casagrandes Movie | Maria Santiago | |

#### Animation

List of voice performances in animation :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2010–13 | Transformers: Prime | Arcee, Raf's Mother | Main role |
| 2013–14 | Beware the Batman | Katana, Additional Voices | Main role |
| 2017 | The Loud House | Maria Santiago | |
| 2017 | Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! | Arachne, Harpy | Episode: "Greece Is the Word" |
| 2017–18 | Bunnicula | Fluffy | Episodes: "Vampire Rabbit Season" and "Harold the Vampire Pointer" |
| 2018 | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Admiral Sanda, Principle | |
| 2018–19 | Spider-Man | Yuri Watanabe, Nurse | |
| 2019–20 | Star Wars Resistance | Agent Tierny | |
| 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 |
| 2023 | The Legend of Vox Machina | Highbearer Vord | Episode: "The Trials of Vasselheim" |
| 2024–present | Jurassic World: Chaos Theory | The Handler | Recurring role |

### Live-action
#### Television

List of acting performances in television :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 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 |

#### Film

List of acting performances in films :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 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 | |