Despite initially auditioning for the more subdued role of Nell Porter (the part ultimately went to Portia de Rossi), this stunning Asian-American actress made her name and earned an Emmy nod as domineering lawyer Ling Woo on Ally McBeal. Although TV guest spots early in her career proved she could play meek, particularly her recurring role on ER as the soft-spoken mother of an AIDS-stricken child, audiences preferred her feistier side. Able to inspire both dread and desire with the cock of an eyebrow, Liu fared best in big-screen supporting parts that showcased her martial-arts prowess and quirky comedic talents, like her kick-ass turns in Kill Bill: Vol I and the Charlie's Angels franchise.