Rae Dawn Chong Biography
Rae Dawn Chong is a Canadian-American actress who was born and brought up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is widely known for her roles in Commando as Cindy, Interview with the Vampire as Florence de Pointe du Lac, Quest for Fire as Ika, Impeachment: American Crime Story as Betty Currie, and in The Sleeping Negro as Black Woman.
Chong began her acting career in the late 1970s and early 1980s, appearing in films such as “Quest for Fire” (1981) and “Choose Me” (1984). She gained wider recognition for her role as Squeak in Steven Spielberg’s “The Color Purple” (1985).
10 Quick Facts About Rae Dawn Chong
Here is a list of 10 facts about Chong
- Name: Rae Dawn Chong
- Age: 64 Years Old
- Birthday: February 28
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)
- Nationality: Canadian-American
- Occupation: Actress
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Salary: Not Available
- Net worth: $4 Million
Rae Dawn Chong Age
Chong is 64 years old, she was born on February 28, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She celebrates her birthday on February 28 every year and her birth sign is Pisces.
Rae Dawn Chong Height
Rae Dawn Chong stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 m). Her body measurements are 35-27-36 inches.
Rae Dawn Chong Weight
Chong Weighs 55 kg (121 lbs). She has dark brown eyes and dark brown hair.
Early Life and Education
Born on February 28, 1961, in Edmonton, Canada, Chong is the first daughter of actor/comedian Tommy Chong. Her mother, Maxine Sneed, was of Black Canadian descent, and her father was of Chinese and Scots-Irish descent.
Her younger sister Robbi Chong is a model and actress. They have three younger half-brothers (one adopted) and a half-sister by their father’s second wife. In addition to Rae Dawn, two of her sisters and her adopted brother Marcus Chong have sought acting careers.
Based on her education; Chong attended and graduated from Hollywood High School.
Rise to Fame and Breakthrough Moment
- Chong earned fame with her role as an Ice Age woman in Jean-Jacques Annaud’s prehistoric epic, “Quest for Fire” (1981). This made her win a Genie (the Canadian Oscar) for her performance, which involved speaking a special language devised by novelist Anthony Burgess.
Major Achievements and Contributions
- Her second feature film was Quest for Fire (1981), for which she won the Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in 1983. Other notable roles have been in the films Commando (1985), The Color Purple (1985), Beat Street (1984), and Choose Me (1984).
- She has been a relentless advocate for racial equality, women’s rights, and environmental conservation, lending her voice to multiple causes and organizations seeking to make the world a better place for all.
- Also, in 2021, Chong was honored with the “Invisible Woman Award” from the Women’s Film Critics Circle for “Supporting performance by a woman whose remarkable impact on the film dramatically, socially or historically, has been ignored” for her performance in the drama film The Sleeping Negro.
Personal Life
Rae Dawn Chong Family, Parents
Chong was born in Edmonton, Canada to her parents Tommy Chong (father), and Robbi Chong (mother). Her father is of Chinese and Scots-Irish descent and her mother, Maxine Sneed, was of Black Canadian descent.
Rae Dawn Chong Siblings
Chong spent her childhood alongside her 5 siblings, including Robbi Chong, Marcus Chong, Paris Chong (Half-sibling), Gilbran Chong (Half-sibling), and Precious Chong (Half-sibling). Three younger half-brothers who are adopted, and a half-sister from her father’s second wife. Two of her sisters have also pursued acting careers together with Marcus Chong her half-brother.
Rae Dawn Chong Husband
Chong was married to her ex-husband Nathan Ulrich, one of the founders of Xootr). The couple did their wedding in 2011 and divorced in 2014. Previously, in 1989, she married actor C. Thomas Howell, her co-star in the feature film Soul Man. Later, they divorced in 1990.
Chong was also married to Owen Bayliss who was a stockbroker. They later had a son named Morgan Baylis. However, they divorced in the year 1982. due to their unknown reasons.
Rae Dawn Chong Children
Chong is the proud mother of one child; a son named Morgan Baylis.
Rae Dawn Chong Net Worth
Rae Dawn Chong has an estimated net worth of $4 million dollars. This includes her assets, money, and income. Her primary source of income is her career as an actress. Through her various sources of income, Rae has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Facts: Everything You Need to Know About Rae Dawn Chong
Here are some interesting facts you should know about Chong.
Rae Dawn Chong Bio.
- Full Names: Rae Dawn Chong
- Popular As: Actress
- Gender: Female
- Occupation / Profession: Actress
- Nationality: American-Canadian
- Race / Ethnicity: Multiracial (Chinese, Scots-Irish, and Black Canadian descent)
- Religion: Not Available
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 64 Years Old
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Date of Birth: February 28, 1961
- Place of Birth: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Birthday: February 28
Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: 35-27-36 inches
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 m)
- Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Dark Brown
- Shoe Size: 8 (US)
- Dress Size: 6 (US)
- Breast Size: 35 inches
- Waist Size: 27 inches
- Hip Size: 36 inches
Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Tommy Chong
- Mother: Maxine Sneed
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Robbi, Precious, Marcus, Paris, and Gilbran Chong
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Husband/Spouse: Owen Bayliss (div. 1982), C. Thomas Howell (m. 1989; div. 1990), Nathan Ulrich (m. 2011; div. 2014)
- Dating / Boyfriend: Not Available
- Children: Sons (Morgan Baylis) Daughter(s) (None)
Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $4 Million
- Salary: Not Available
- Source of Income: Actress
Soul Man
Chong starred as Sarah Walker in Soul Man. Soul Man was a 1986 American comedy film directed by Steve Miner and written by Carol L. Black. C. Thomas Howell stars as a white male law student who pretends to be black in order to qualify for a scholarship.
Beat Street
Chong starred as Tracy Carlson in Beat Street. Beat Street was a 1984 American dance drama film featuring New York City hip-hop culture of the early 1980s. Set in the South Bronx, the film follows the lives of a pair of brothers and their group of friends, all of whom are devoted to various elements of early hip-hop culture, including breakdancing, DJing, and graffiti.
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