Elaine Mani Lee, a talented individual, was born and raised in the vibrant Bay Area, California, where she developed a passion for sports, music, and the performing arts. Growing up, she was actively involved in her school's choir and orchestra, and even wrote and directed her classmates in stage productions.
At the age of 17, Lee made the bold decision to leave her hometown and move to Los Angeles to pursue her higher education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, laying the foundation for her future endeavors.
However, it wasn't until Lee visited the breathtaking St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy, that she experienced an epiphany that would change the course of her life. Upon her return to Los Angeles, she left her office job and enrolled in music and dance studies, marking the beginning of her journey as a professional artist.
Lee's early career was marked by her work as a front desk assistant at a music studio, where she would often perform her poetry and music at open mic nights. Her talent and dedication eventually led her to transition into the world of film and television, where she landed the role of Fan Dancer in Joss Whedon's critically acclaimed film, Serenity.
To hone her craft, Lee trained at the prestigious classical theatre company, A Noise Within, and continues to study film and television acting, citing Meisner and Viola Spolin improv as her greatest influences. Her impressive resume boasts a wide range of roles on various TV shows, including The Mentalist, iCarly, and Book Club, as well as appearances in feature films such as Dear Lemon Lima and Behaving Badly.
In her free time, Lee enjoys engaging in dance, tennis, and meditation, and is fluent in Cantonese Chinese and conversational in Mandarin. She is also an avid sports fan, always eager to cheer on her favorite teams.
