Biography
Born in Okinawa, Japan, actress Tamlyn Tomita performed on-stage in Los Angeles before making her film debut in
The Karate Kid Part II in 1986 as
Ralph Macchio's love interest, Kumiko. Soap opera appearances and supporting roles followed, as well as a few made-for-TV movies about Hiroshima. In 1990, she gained some attention as
Dennis Quaid's love interest in
Alan Parker's WWII romance
Come See the Paradise. In 1993, she was part of the excellent ensemble cast in the generation-gap drama
The Joy Luck Club, based on the novel by Amy Tan. Other films include the Hawaiian-set romantic drama
Picture Bride, the clever comedy drama
Four Rooms, the horror thriller
Killing Jar, and the independent relationship comedy
Hundred Percent. On television, she found work in the sci-fi movie Babylon 5: The Gathering and landed reoccurring roles on The Burning Zone
JAG, and
24. She also can be seen in
Greg Pak's little-seen but critically praised digital video project
Robot Stories and
Roland Emmerich's 2004 sci-fi disaster film
The Day After Tomorrow. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide