Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1989-01-17
- Born Place: San Diego, California, USA
Also Known As:
Kelly Tran, Trần Loan , 켈리 마리 트란, 트란 로안, Tran Loan
Kelly Marie Tran
Kelly Marie Tran (born Loan Tran on January 17, 1989) is a talented American actress who has garnered significant recognition for her work in major film franchises and animated features. Born in San Diego, California, to Vietnamese refugee parents, her upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of her heritage and the sacrifices made by her family. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in communications.Tran began her acting career in 2011, primarily taking on roles in short films and television. Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Rose Tico in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films, The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019), making her the first woman of color to have a leading role in a Star Wars movie. She also voiced the lead character Raya in the acclaimed Disney animated film Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) and Dawn Betterman in DreamWorks Animation's The Croods: A New Age (2020) and its subsequent TV series.In 2025, she is set to appear in several films, including Control Freak where she plays the lead role of Valerie "Val" Nguyen, as well as The Wedding Banquet and Forge. Her diverse filmography showcases her range and ability to take on compelling characters in various genres.Beyond her on-screen work, Tran has also ventured into producing, with credits on projects like the documentary Lily Topples the World (2021). While her rise to fame was unfortunately accompanied by online harassment after her Star Wars debut, she has spoken out against it and become an advocate for inclusivity and positive representation in Hollywood. Her talent and resilience have solidified her as a significant figure in contemporary cinema.Throughout her career, Kelly Marie Tran has received several award nominations and wins, including recognition for her voice work in Raya and the Last Dragon at the Hawaii Film Critics Society Awards and the FilmQuest Festival for her ensemble cast work in Me, Myself & the Void. She was also nominated for a Saturn Award and an Empire Award for Best Supporting Actress and Best Female Newcomer, respectively, for her role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. In 2021, she was honored with the Inspiration Award at the Viet Film Fest for her contributions to film and representation.
