Lucy Liu was born to Chinese immigrants in Queens, New York. Growing up, she was fervently passionate about the arts. After college she moved to Los Angeles and was cast in several guest parts on television shows like Beverly Hills 90210, NYPD Blue, The X Files, and ER. Her first silver screen appearance was a very small part in Jerry Maguire, as one of Cruise.s many ex-girlfriends. However, she still was striving to make her name known. Finally in 1997, she landed her breakout role on Ally McBeal. Since then, she.s earned larger roles in films like Shanghai Noon and Charlie.s Angels. After a few years away from the spotlight, Liu returns to the small screen starring in the new drama Cashmere Mafia.