Karen Maruyama
Biography
Karen Maruyama is an American actress and comedienne. She has appeared in a number of television sitcoms, including recurring characters on The Jamie Foxx Show, Strip Mall, Suddenly Susan, and Arrested Development. Maruyama is also known for her work as an improv performer and instructor, having been a featured guest on both the American and British versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, as well as a member of The Groundlings. She has appeared in films such as The Bucket List and The Campaign, and has also been part of the cast of The Jim Henson Company's live stage show "Puppet Up!". Maruyama's acting career spans multiple television and film roles.
Career overview
Karen Maruyama is an American actress known for her work in various television sitcoms. She has appeared in supporting roles on several shows, including The Jamie Foxx Show, Strip Mall, Suddenly Susan, and Arrested Development. Maruyama has also been featured as a guest on the American and British versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, showcasing her skills as an improv performer.
In addition to her television work, Maruyama has appeared in several films. She played a nurse in The Bucket List and a housekeeper in The Campaign. Maruyama is also a member of The Groundlings, a renowned improv troupe, and has been a part of The Jim Henson Company's live stage show "Puppet Up!". Her experience in improv has contributed to her versatility as an actress, allowing her to take on a range of roles in different mediums.
Maruyama's career has spanned multiple platforms, demonstrating her ability to adapt to various formats and genres. Her work in television and film has showcased her talent as a supporting actress, and her background in improv has provided her with a unique set of skills that have contributed to her success in the entertainment industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
88 titles- The Oracle (2026)
- Miss Valentine (2025) as Shelly Foster
- Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) as Wolf Crime Boss / Bunny Waiter / Citizen #1 / Questioned Sheep (voice)
- Self Reliance (2024) as Lindsey
- Ultraman: Rising (2024) as Oba-chan (voice)
- Unstable (2023) as Meredith
- RE-OPENING: A Lockdown Mockumentary (2023) as Renee Foreman
- Dead End: Paranormal Park (2022) as Barborah (voice)
- It's a Wonderful Binge (2022) as Grandma
- I'm Totally Fine (2022) as Sandra
- Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021) as Caricature Artist
- A Little Italian Vacation (2021) as Ms. Polotzi
- Logan Lee & the Rise of the Purple Dawn (2020) as Auntie Bobbie
- Dead to Me (2019) as Marcy
- Heathers (2018) as Mrs. Finn
- Life of the Party (2018) as Mediator
- Baskets (2016) as Ginny
- Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016) as Tourist at Snake Farm
- Better Call Saul (2015) as Judge Metcalf
- Bosch (2015) as Wanda Williams
- One Big Happy (2015) as Minister
- Young & Hungry (2014) as Lilly
- Garfunkel and Oates (2014) as Susie
- Go-Go Boy Interrupted (2014) as Liz
- Crash & Bernstein (2012) as Vice-Principal Takashi
- The Campaign (2012) as Mrs. Yao
- Shake It Up: Made in Japan (2012) as Michi
- Shameless (2011) as Dr. Ma
- 2 Broke Girls (2011) as Su-Min
- Good Luck Charlie (2010) as Coach Lutes
- Raising Hope (2010) as Mrs. Hwong
- Shake It Up (2010) as Michi
- The Bucket List (2007) as Nurse Shing
- Cory in the House (2007) as Valerie
- Hannah Montana (2006) as Dr. Yamada
- The Enigma with a Stigma (2006) as Cindy Wasser
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Lisa Saito
- American Dad! (2005) as Kichiro (voice)
- American Dad! (2005) as Woman (voice)
- Ghost Whisperer (2005) as Nurse Heather
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) as Bureaucrat (voice)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Kitchen Confidential (2005) as Fran
- Stacked (2005)
- Arrested Development (2003) as China Garden
- Nip/Tuck (2003) as Madam Rose
- Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003) as Shadowy Woman / Flower Vendor (voice)
- Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003) as Head Protestor (voice)
- Wanda at Large (2003)
- The Division (2001)
- Justice League (2001) as Tsukuri / Firefighter (voice)
- Justice League (2001) as Tsukuri (voice)
- The Proud Family (2001) as Additional Voices (voice)
- The Proud Family (2001) as Marsha Mitsubishi (voice)
- The Proud Family (2001) as Marsha Mitsubishi / Teens (voice)
- Heavy Gear (2001)
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) as Female Parking Attendant
- Static Shock (2000) as Kim (voice)
- Even Stevens (2000) as Millie
- Titus (2000) as Nurse Patty
- Strip Mall (2000)
- Futurama (1999) as Amazonian (voice)
- The Thirteenth Year (1999) as Mrs. Nelson
- The King of Queens (1998) as Connie
- The Wild Thornberrys (1998) as Leopard (voice)
- Whose Line Is It Anyway? (1998) as Self
- King of the Hill (1997) as Buddhist (voice)
- Veronica's Closet (1997) as Event Official
- The Jamie Foxx Show (1996) as Gloria
- Suddenly Susan (1996) as Mrs. Fong
- Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys (1996) as Shao Lin (voice)
- Dunston Checks In (1996) as Telephone Operator
- Rudy Coby: Ridiculously Dangerous (1996) as Grandma
- Caroline in the City (1995) as Actress
- The American President (1995) as Leo's Secretary
- Sawbones (1995) as Polito
- Pulp Fiction (1994) as Gawker #1
- Ellen (1994) as Kate
- Viper (1994) as Police Operator
- Mad About You (1992) as O.R. Nurse
- The Simpsons (1989) as Dancing Woman #1 (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Japanese Stewardess (voice)
- Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989) as Kathy Walker
- Snoops (1989) as Gail Nakamura
- Whose Line Is It Anyway? (1988) as Self
- Full House (1987)
- Columbo (1971) as Maid
- I Don't Care as Joan
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Karen Maruyama best known for?
Karen Maruyama is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024), Self Reliance (2024), Ultraman: Rising (2024), Dead End: Paranormal Park (2022).
When and where was Karen Maruyama born?
Karen Maruyama was born on May 29, 1958 in U.S.A.
How many credits does Karen Maruyama have?
Karen Maruyama has accumulated over 88 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1971 to 2026.
What is Karen Maruyama's background in cinema and television?
Karen Maruyama is an American actress and comedienne. She has appeared in a number of television sitcoms, including recurring characters on The Jamie Foxx Show, Strip Mall, Suddenly Susan, and Arrested Development. Maruyama is also known for her work as an improv performer and instructor, having been a featured guest o...
Karen Maruyama by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) as Bureaucrat (voice) — aged about 47
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) as Additional Voices (voice) — aged about 47
- Better Call Saul (2015) as Judge Metcalf — aged about 57
- Pulp Fiction (1994) as Gawker #1 — aged about 36
- Futurama (1999) as Amazonian (voice) — aged about 41
- Shameless (2011) as Dr. Ma — aged about 53
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