Kelly Hu

Kelly Hu portrays, Pearl, on, "The Vampire Diaries".  A 550 year old vampire, Pearl, is best known for being the Mother of Anna and the best friend of Katherine on the series.  Despite her discreet and cautious personality, it is no secret that Pearl is a very powerful woman.  Pearl and Katherine came to Mystic Falls in 1864.  Though Pearl was sealed in the tomb along with the other vampires of her time, she had not yet come to see the end of her days.  Upon her release from the tomb in the episode, "Fool Me Once" , she intends to take back the town that was once belonged to her.  Once betrayed by her vampire brood, Pearl turns over a new leaf and does what's necessary to prove to Damon she is respectful and grateful for her residence in town.  Sadly before given the opportunity to make a life in Mystic Falls, Pearl is killed by the modern day Jonathan Gilbert when he finds her as a threat to his town. 

Kelly Hu was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 13, 1968 to Juanita and Herbert Hu.  Her entertainment inspiration came from her cousin who was a successful model in Japan.  She has shown a love for singing, dancing, and martial arts from a very young age. Kelly graduated from the Pepperdine University in Malibu.  Going against her mother's advice she competed in and won the title of 1985's Miss Hawaii Teen USA.  Kelly was the first Asian American to win the title.  Eight years later she took the title of Miss Hawaii USA making her the first to win for both the Teen & Adult pageant.  She came in second place for the title of Miss USA in 1993. 

Kelly Hu's acting career began in 1987 when she moved to Los Angeles.  She had previously worked in Italy and Japan as a spokeswoman for Philedelphia Cream Cheese ad's.  Her first role was a guest appearance on the hit sitcom, "Growing Pains", playing Mike Seaver's love interest.  She went forth, appearing in a variety of television series, some of which include, "Night Court", "Tour of Duty" , "21 Jump Street", "Melrose Place", "Army Wives", "Nash Bridges", and "The Vampire Diaries". 

Kelly has done "five voice-over roles" for cartoons such as, Robot Chicken, Adro Samurai, Phineas and Ferb, The Spectacular Spider Man, and Scooby Doo and The Samurai Sword.  She has also been incorparted to "six video game roles" , Afro Samurai, Command & Conquer (2 versions), Ninja Blade, Star Wars; Knights Of The Old Republic ll The Sith Lords, and Terminator Salvation.

For Kelly's first movie role she played a victim in, "Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan" . 
She was cast as an undercover police officer in the movie, "No Way Back" .  She has since appeared in over twenty movies and was a series regular on ABC's, "In Case of Emergency" in 2007 before the show was cancelled. 

Kelly is a poker buff and has been apart of both, "The World Series of Poker" and "World Poker Tour " competitions.  During Barack Obama's presidential campaign Will.I.Am produced a video called, "Yes We Can" which featured Kelly Hu.  Kelly stands by the,  "CAUSE U.S.A" organization.  She is the sister of a U.S. Lieutenant Colonel and currently resides in Brentwood, LA.

Written By: Ashley
@TVD_TWEETS

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Hu

Edited By: Carisa/Sr. Editor
@MNTwilightMom/MNMysticVamp