| From Asian Pacific Review - Vol. 5, Issue No.4 - December 1, 1999 In Hollywood, only a few Asian American thespians have survived the
challenge of having continued visibility on television and in movies. Amy Hill is one of them. Amy was involved with the groundbreaking ABC sitcom, "All-American Girl" starring Margaret Cho. A show where Amy played the confused grandmother. She has had several roles on television including "Maybe This Time" with Betty White and Marie Osmond. She played the character Sumi in the show
"Pauly" and the character Suji in NBC's "The Naked Truth" with Tea Leoni. Her career is not only limited to television, she has also been in several movies such as "Singles", "Rising Sun" and "Yellow". She has also had success in theater. She had a part in Broadway 's Shakespeare show "Twelfth Night" with "Mad About You" actress, Helen Hunt. She has upcoming roles in the following movies, "Next Friday" with
Ice Cube and "Pavilion of Women" with Willem DaFoe and John Cho. Her success on the screen has helped her achieve recognition as host of this year's Golden Ring Awards, BUZZ Magazine's "100 Coolest People in Los Angeles" and a nomination for the 1995 Cable Ace Award. Recently, APR had the opportunity to talk with the successful Amy Hill. APR: Where were you born and raised?
AMY: I was born in Deadwood, South Dakota and raised in Seattle.
APR: Did you grow up in a strict Asian upbringing?
AMY: I
grew up with a very strong Japanese and Finnish cultural infusion. Definitely not Japanese-American. My mother hung out with ladies from Japan and my dad hung out with Finns. I, of course, wanted nothing to do with either and tried to be as "American" as Beaver Cleaver.
APR: How did you get involved with acting?
AMY: I always performed in my bedroom or on the front porch�in my imagination.
APR: What current/future projects are you working on at the moment?
AMY: I'm working on several independent films, guest shots on television series and developing projects for theater and television.
APR: You worked with Ice Cube in the upcoming movie "Next Friday". How was it like to work with him?
AMY: He was great. Professional, kind and generous. Very serious, too.
APR: You are also in an upcoming film with
Willem Dafoe and John Cho titled "Pavilion of Women". How did it feel to work with these guys and also to have a part in this movie?
AMY: We had a blast! I hear the movie looks beautiful. We shot in some of the most stunning areas and gardens around Suzhou, right outside of Shanghai.
APR: Let's talk about
"All-American Girl". How does it feel to have been a part of a show that is acknowledged in college education books on "Multi-cultural Stereotypes"? Several Asian publications regard it as an important show to feature Asian leads,
AMY: It was certainly a very important part of my career. However, I hope it was not my "high point". I look forward to a long track record of
theater and film as well as television, and hope to play a part in "creating" as well as performing.
APR: It has been a few years since the show has ended. How do you feel now about the cancellation of the show?
AMY: I'm still saddened by the lack of support within the community and at the network level.
We were not doing poorly enough to warrant cancellation as far as ratings were concerned. We could have used a second season to work out some of the kinks.
APR: O.k. Amy, let's get into some deeper questions. What is the most satisfying part about being an Asian actress?
AMY: When it works, it is the most creative
wondrous and magical thing in the world. It's as though you are doing what you were put on this planet to do. Often it's just work...I'm hired to do a job and I fulfill the requirements and I am well trained to do it and it's not joyful. Thankfully, it's not THAT often.
APR: What is the most frustrating part about being an Asian actress?
AMY: Gee, I don't know if I can separate that out. I am an actress and I'm Asian American...they go hand in hand.
APR: Let's dig into the life of Amy Hill. What is a typical day for you?
AMY: I wake up...feed the dogs, walk the dogs, check e-mail, get ready for work or get ready
for auditions, juggle personal life with professional projects, community events, support fellow artists by seeing way too many shows...Today, for example, Saturday, I'm painting my office, doing a couple of pick up shots on an independent film, going to a friend's birthday party....My life is always about juggling...the many, many balls. I rarely have a "day off".
APR: In an interview you did
with Yolk in 1996, you said that although you were enjoying the benefits of celebrity-dom, you still have the same shitty car, a Mazda 323, the same house and more money". Have things changed for you since then?
AMY: I'm remodeling, have a Volvo and have two dogs.
APR: What goals do you wish to accomplish in the future?
AMY: Just keep meeting each new challenge as it presents itself. I feel pretty good about the future. APR: What advice can you give to the Asian Americans out there who want to pursue a career in acting?AMY: It's very hard work. A clich? I know, but...you just have to
be better than the next guy/gal and keep up the good fight. And remember, you are the gift...who you are and your collection of experiences is what makes you special.
APR: Amy, I want to thank you for giving APR the opportunity to interview you. What final words would you like to leave for your fans?
AMY: Thank YOU
for being rock solid behind me. Every person who tells me that I've made some difference is immeasurably important. Also, remember to give words of encouragement and support to the ones coming up...it's a very hard road. | |
