Kelly Ann Hu, the American actress, former beauty queen, model and voice performer, has enjoyed a long and varied career in entertainment that has helped her amass an estimated net worth of around $10 million. That figure reflects decades of work across television, film, voice acting, and even modeling — income streams that together illustrate not just longevity in Hollywood, but the adaptability and business sense needed to sustain a multi-faceted career.
Born on February 13, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Hu grew up with a blend of cultural influences rooted in her Chinese, English, and Native Hawaiian ancestry. Long before she became a recognizable face on screens around the world, she first gained attention as a beauty pageant competitor. Hu’s early success came when she won the title of Miss Teen USA in 1985, making her one of the first Asian-American winners in the pageant’s history. This early public recognition opened doors that would eventually lead her to modeling and acting opportunities.
Following her pageant success, Hu spent time modeling abroad, particularly in Japan and Italy, where she became known for television commercials and print work. These modeling gigs not only provided her with early career income but also helped her build a level of international familiarity that many actors spend years chasing. Modeling internationally, especially in fashion capitals, is a common early stepping stone for performers who later transition into acting because it cultivates confidence on camera and exposure to a wide range of visual media.
In the late 1980s, Hu made the move to Los Angeles to pursue acting more seriously. She secured her first significant television role with a guest appearance on the sitcom Growing Pains, playing the Hawaiian love interest of the lead character — a role that marked her transition from modeling star to working actress. From that point on, Hu began accumulating a steady list of television credits. She appeared in episodes of various popular shows through the late 1980s and 1990s, including Night Court, Melrose Place, 21 Jump Street, and Tour of Duty. These guest appearances helped her refine her acting skills and build relationships within the industry — important steps for any performer looking to secure recurring roles.
Her breakout period in television came in the mid-1990s with recurring roles, most notably as Dr. Rae Chang on the soap opera Sunset Beach and Michelle Chan on the crime drama Nash Bridges. Both characters gave her sustained screen time and contributed to her visibility in an industry where consistent television work often leads to greater opportunities. Hu also landed a longer-running role on Martial Law, where her character became familiar to audiences and helped solidify her status as a recognizable television actress.
Alongside her television career, Hu’s film work significantly contributed to her net worth. She began appearing in movies in the late 1980s and continued throughout the 1990s and 2000s with roles that allowed her to work across genres. Her early film credits included appearances in Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan, The Doors, and Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man.
In the early 2000s, Hu appeared in a series of high-profile action and adventure films that heightened her profile. She took on the role of Cassandra in the popular action film The Scorpion King, co-starred in Cradle 2 the Grave, and played Yuriko Oyama / Lady Deathstrike in X2: X-Men United. These roles in major studio films not only exposed her to a wider global audience but also likely boosted her earnings through higher acting fees and residuals tied to box office and home entertainment success.
While film roles helped cement her on-screen legacy, Hu’s career has always been defined by diversity. She has also cultivated a significant career in voice acting, lending her voice to animated television series like Phineas and Ferb as Stacy Hirano, video game franchises, and animated films. Voice acting can be a lucrative sector of the entertainment business, providing steady income through both upfront payment and potential residuals or royalties. It also allows performers to expand their craft in a way that doesn’t always require the same physical commitments or typecasting often found in live-action roles.
This voice work extends into video games, where Hu has voiced characters in titles such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, Batman: Arkham Origins, and Mortal Kombat games. Video game roles can be especially profitable, as the gaming industry often pays well for voice work and can provide ongoing revenue depending on a game’s popularity.
Beyond her mainstream work, Hu has taken on roles in television series like The Vampire Diaries, Arrow, and Warehouse 13, along with various animated projects that expanded her resume even further. These ongoing credits show an artist capable of both reinventing herself and staying relevant across decades — a rare feat in Hollywood, where careers can often be fleeting.
All of this work — from pageants to TV roles, from film appearances to voice acting — feeds into the long-term calculation of her net worth. Industry analysts estimate her net worth at approximately $10 million, a sum that reflects her consistent earnings over many years rather than any single blockbuster payday.
It’s important to note that net worth estimates are rarely exact and are based on available public data, rumored earnings, and typical pay scales for similar industry roles. They don’t always account for private investments, unreported income streams, or personal financial choices like real estate holdings or business ventures. But in Hu’s case, multiple sources converge around the same general estimate, suggesting a middle-eight-figure valuation.
In addition to her entertainment income, Hu has also made money through other public engagements. Early in her career, modeling and television commercials provided additional revenue, and her continued presence in fan-favorite franchises likely leads to convention appearances and other appearances that further diversify her income. Likewise, voice acting and video game roles offer ongoing earning potential that extends beyond a single performance.
Outside her professional life, Hu is also known for her activism. She has supported causes such as environmental protection, children’s charities, and Asian-American empowerment initiatives. While activism itself doesn’t directly contribute to net worth, it does help explain how she has balanced her public persona with philanthropic reach, making her career about more than just commercial success.
As she continues to act, voice characters, and occasionally take on new projects, Kelly Hu’s net worth remains a reflection of both her diverse talent and her ability to adapt to changing opportunities within the entertainment world. From beauty pageants in the 1980s to voice roles in modern video games, her financial journey exemplifies how a multi-platform entertainment career can create long-lasting financial stability.
In summary, Kelly Hu’s estimated $10 million net worth is the product of decades of successful work spanning television, film, voice acting, and modeling. Her career demonstrates not just resilience, but the savvy to navigate different facets of the entertainment industry, build multiple revenue streams, and remain a recognizable and respected figure in Hollywood and beyond.
