As a longtime performer in movies, television and theater, Amy Hill has been a recognizable actress in Hollywood since the 1980s, and her entry into the world of theater began at Franklin High School in Seattle in 1969.
Born in South Dakota, Hill moved to Seattle at age 6 and resided first in Beacon Hill, then in the Rainier Valley. After she graduated from Franklin in 1971, Hill's mother, a Japanese national, urged her to travel to Japan. Hill moved to Tokyo and was accepted at the Sophia International University.
Returning to Seattle at age 24, Hill finished her degree in art and Japanese language at the University of Washington. After revisiting Japan, Hill studied acting at Seattle's ACT Theatre and at the Asian American Theatre Co. in San Francisco.
Since then, she has performed in films, television and theater, sharing the screen with such players as Mike Myers, Drew Barrymore and Bernie Mac. Her ample performance credits include the blockbuster movies "50 First Dates" (2004), "The Cat in the Hat" (2003) and "Cheaper by the Dozen" (2003), as well as guest appearances on television's "Without a Trace," "Frasier," "Six Feet Under" and the "Bernie Mac Show."
Additionally, her one-woman shows "Tokyo Bound," "Reunion" and "Beside Myself" have toured nationally, and she continues to be a strong supporter and participant in theater. Some of her performces include a Broadway, New York stint with Helen Hunt in "Twelfth Night" at the Lincoln Center, as well as working with the East West Players, Cornerstone Theater Co., and the Mark Taper Forum in California.
Additionally, Hill actively speaks out about biracial/multiracial issues, involves herself with Asian-American and social justice organizations, and still finds time to care for her 4-year-old daughter, Penelope, as a single mom. Hill currently resides in Los Angeles.
How connected do you feel to the Seattle community?
I feel like a stranger. It's sooo different. I mean, I have this huge affection for it, but I have this memory for it being a cool secret that nobody knew about.
Many of the things I loved, like the public market, [now] seem like glamorous versions of what it used to be.
Has that changed over time?
I actually want to visit Seattle more these days to give my daughter a sense of what the new Seattle is like. See, the new stuff is pretty cool. You can't go back, but you can go forward.
Did you initially want to act?
I used to perform for the Italians across the street from my house. I always wanted to perform; I just didn't know you could do it for a living, especially if you're not Caucasian and beautiful. I didn't see anyone that looked like me. And no one I knew did anything like that.
Why/ how did you get into acting?
I got into the profession of acting because it was an opportunity to get paid for what I love to do. Unfortunately, I often find myself doing less of what I love - which is really challenging my artistic self - because I am paid to meet the needs of a script.
I can't tell you how often I'm told not to do things because it's too distracting. I rarely get to explore or "play." It's annoying. I look forward to going back to theater.
When did you know that this was something you could do as an actual profession?
I started working in Japan as a "talent." I didn't act, but I got paid to be myself - kind of a really adorable version of myself.
What was your first big break?
My first paying gig was a made for TV movie called "Hear No Evil," with Gil Gerard. I worked a day. I think my only scene has my back to the camera.
My first "big break" was "Dim Sum," by Wayne Wang. I played the lead character's sister. Independent filmmaking at its finest - no money and no glory.
You are also a writer and perform improv. Which do you prefer and/or consider yourself?
I like to write, but I find it hard to be disciplined enough. I work best if I'm given a deadline.
I like improv, too, but it's hard to find a forum unless I'm in a group, and that's too much of a commitment these days. I love to act on stage, period.
But since "Penelope," I find it hard to make that commitment (long hours) right now, too. So I just work for hire in TV and film. It's OK. Not usually too challenging but....
Who did you look up to growing up, and what performers do you admire and/or want to emulate?
Well, I wanted to be like all the strong women I would see in reruns of old black-and-white films I'd see on Saturday afternoons. Like Bette Davis or Lauren Bacall.
Do you consider yourself famous?
I consider myself "recognizable." I am always being recognized, but people don't go nuts when they see me. It's just fine.
You have worked in a variety of mediums with numerous well-known actors. Do you have any particular favorite and/or meaningful productions and/or actors?
I loved working with Adam Sandler [in "50 First Dates"]. He's a doll, but I probably won't [work with him again]. Most of the things I do are one-shot deals. Not returning characters - unless I'm on a sitcom.
I'm a character actor, and I'm fine with that. It just means I get to look forward to what crazy thing lies around the corner for me. I just never know.
If you could work on any one project or with any one person, with whom would you want to work?
Geez, I hate to be disappointed, so I look forward to it all. If I put too much hope on one thing or one person, what if it/they don't turn out the way I hoped?
I read that you are of Japanese-Finnish-American heritage. Do you incorporate your ethnic background when looking for and/or accepting roles in movies?
No. I mean, I usually take into account what the script calls for. If it's specific, I get specific. But, if it's not...I try to take some chances.
Last year, I did a pilot where I was actually doing an accent that was "unidentifiable." It came from my old improv days, when I would have to do an accent of someone from a country that I couldn't do. It became sort of my stock "foreign" accent. Great for comedy. They worked it into the script so no one ever knew where I was from or if I was actually foreign or not or just being annoying.
Does it affect your selections? Do you find any advantages or disadvantages because of it?
Now that I am better [at it] now, I have a bit more leeway. I often find myself in a room with a diverse group of women in similar circumstances. Tony Award-winning black women; Latinas who have written, directed and starred in their own films; older, white (pretty-darn-famous-in-their-day) women...and me auditioning for a part they could just "offer" us.... But this is the business we're in.
What about [personalizing material] in your one-woman shows?
The solo shows are always about a bigger question that I need an answer to, and hopefully the process of discovery is enlightening to myself and to the audience.
Do you plan to perform any of your one-woman shows in the Seattle area anytime in the near future?
I opened or workshopped all my shows in Seattle. I miss performing there. It was a great crowd.
What are your upcoming projects that we should look for?
It looks like I'm recurring on "North Shore" for Fox, and I have some independent film projects that might see the light of day soon. Knock on wood...I'm always working.[[In-content Ad]]
