- Born
- Birth nameCatherine Jah Fong Dao
- Catherine Dao became a US citizen at 15 in New York city, along with her parents. She's loved films as far back as she can remember. At 16, she saw the black and white version of Madam Curie, and set her course on becoming a Chemist. In 1990, she finished her Ph.D. in Chemistry from USC. That was to be her backup. Due to the realization that science is important to know. So she found a way to combine these two areas by becoming a consultant of higher level science for the film industry. Somewhere in there, Catherine fell in passionate love with the craft of acting. At some point, she also started to write theatrical screenplays that involve science, sneaking in chemistry knowledge for her audience. All the while, she has had a steady career as an actress. After battling breast cancer in 2015 and became cancer-free, more than ever, Catherine is determined to make films that will encourage love and kindness, but still not abandon science. She is looking forward to continue on in the filmmaking world for the rest of her life. At the end of 2021, her film "Symphoria," a dark thriller, is finally on Amazon Prime. And yes, aside from the entertainment value, audience beware... science knowledge and application learned, might also be an accidental side-effect from watching this film. Enjoy!- IMDb Mini Biography By: Catherine Dao
- Catherine Dao (Director/Producer/Actor) As a Chinese-American immigrant making her way into the film business, it was only natural for Catherine to take a little detour to earn a Doctorate in Chemistry from USC, with full scholarship, of course. Little did her parents realize what she learned as a scientist would serve to fuel her pursuit of a passion in filmmaking. Very early on in her career, numerous experiences in films and theaters have won her many positive responses in the press. The results of her dedication to working with women directors had been recognized in Visual Communications' In Focus for "Cloud and Moon" with Cheng-Sim Lim, and in the American Film magazine for "Kalito" with Mary Jane Eisenberg. In addition, she has performed in "A Community of Caring," which won the L. A. Emmy, directed by sit-com director Mary Lou Belli, and in "Birds of a Feather," which won the Houston Worldfest Bronze Award and the Crystal Award of Excellence, directed by Lisa Dalton. As a veteran actor of the theatre, Catherine's portrayal of a young Hiroshima survivor of the atomic bomb in "A-Bomb Beauties" was noted by The Hollywood Reporter, calling it "outstanding.., Dao captures the anguish of a woman torn from her culture." Some of her other film and television credits also include UPN's Moesha, Unsolved Mysteries, General Hospital, The Division, BET's Fire and Ice, The Tonight Show, Unfabulous, The Shield, Grey's Anatomy, Cyber Bandits, the Jimmie Award-winning film China Cry, and starred in the feature Killer Babe for the CIA with James Hong, which became a cult film and The Hollywood Reporter singled her out for an honorable mention. Also, she is the only principal female controller in Bob Zemeckis' Contact. And, she had the luxury of working with the Oscar-winning Asian-American director Jessica Yu on the film "Ping Pong Playa." Catherine's interest in directing began when her actor friends would repeatedly ask her to direct their monologues and scenes for auditions. This interest evolved into a desire to write her own materials. Utilizing her chemistry knowledge and expertise, she wrote the thriller "Symphoria," her fifth feature screenplay, but the first one to secure funds for production. Stay tuned. Now that she's hooked, Catherine plots to further her directing career.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Catherine Dao
- Catherine Dao (Director/Producer/Actor) As a Chinese-American immigrant making her way into the film business, it was only natural for Catherine to take a little detour to earn a Doctorate in Chemistry from USC, with full scholarship, of course. Little did her parents realize what she learned as a scientist would serve to fuel her pursuit of a passion in filmmaking. Very early on in her career, numerous experiences in films and theaters have won her many positive responses in the press. The results of her dedication to working with women directors had been recognized in Visual Communications' In Focus for "Cloud and Moon" with Cheng-Sim Lim, and in the American Film magazine for "Kalito" with Mary Jane Eisenberg. In addition, she has performed in "A Community of Caring," which won the L. A. Emmy, directed by sit-com director Mary Lou Belli, and in "Birds of a Feather," which won the Houston Worldfest Bronze Award and the Crystal Award of Excellence, directed by Lisa Dalton. As a veteran actor of the theatre, Catherine's portrayal of a young Hiroshima survivor of the atomic bomb in "A-Bomb Beauties" was noted by The Hollywood Reporter, calling it "outstanding.., Dao captures the anguish of a woman torn from her culture."
Some of her other film and television credits also include UPN's Moesha, Unsolved Mysteries, General Hospital, The Division, BET's Fire and Ice, The Tonight Show, Unfabulous, The Shield, Grey's Anatomy, Cyber Bandits, the Jimmie Award-winning film China Cry, and starred in the feature Killer Babe for the CIA with James Hong, which became a cult film and The Hollywood Reporter singled her out for an honorable mention. Also, she was the only principal female controller in Bob Zemeckis' Contact. And, she had the luxury of working with the Oscar-winning Asian-American director Jessica Yu on the film "Ping Pong Playa."
Catherine's interest in directing began when her actor friends would repeatedly ask her to direct their monologues and scenes for auditions that lead to bookings. This interest evolved into a desire to write her own materials. Utilizing her chemistry knowledge and expertise, she wrote the thriller "Symphoria," her fifth feature screenplay, but the first one to secure funds for production. Stay tuned. Now that she's hooked, Catherine plots to further her directing career. Symphoria (100 min) is now on Amazon Prime, free to watch with Prime account!!- IMDb Mini Biography By: Catherine Dao - Catherine Dao (Director/Producer/Actor) As a Chinese-American immigrant making her way into the film business, it was only natural for Catherine to take a little detour to earn a Doctorate in Chemistry from USC, with full scholarship, of course. Little did her parents realize what she learned as a scientist would serve to fuel her pursuit of a passion in filmmaking. Very early on in her career, numerous experiences in films and theaters have won her many positive responses in the press. The results of her dedication to working with women directors had been recognized in Visual Communications' In Focus for "Cloud and Moon" with Cheng-Sim Lim, and in the American Film magazine for "Kalito" with Mary Jane Eisenberg. In addition, she has performed in "A Community of Caring," which won the L. A. Emmy, directed by sit-com director Mary Lou Belli, and in "Birds of a Feather," which won the Houston Worldfest Bronze Award and the Crystal Award of Excellence, directed by Lisa Dalton. As a veteran actor of the theatre, Catherine's portrayal of a young Hiroshima survivor of the atomic bomb in "A-Bomb Beauties" was noted by The Hollywood Reporter, calling it "outstanding.., Dao captures the anguish of a woman torn from her culture." Some of her other film and television credits also include UPN's Moesha, Unsolved Mysteries, General Hospital, The Division, BET's Fire and Ice, The Tonight Show, Unfabulous, The Shield, Grey's Anatomy, Cyber Bandits, the Jimmie Award-winning film China Cry, and starred in the feature Killer Babe for the CIA with James Hong, which became a cult film and The Hollywood Reporter singled her out for an honorable mention. Also, she is the only principal female controller in Bob Zemeckis' Contact. And, she had the luxury of working with the Oscar-winning Asian-American director Jessica Yu on the film "Ping Pong Playa." Catherine's interest in directing began when her actor friends would repeatedly ask her to direct their monologues and scenes for auditions. This interest evolved into a desire to write her own materials. Utilizing her chemistry knowledge and expertise, she wrote the thriller "Symphoria," her fifth feature screenplay, but the first one to secure funds for production. Stay tuned. Now that she's hooked, Catherine plots to further her directing career.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Catherine Dao
- SpouseDavid Lamont(19?? - present) (1 child)
- Gender / Gender identityFemale
- Race / EthnicityAsian
- Catherine earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Southern California.
- Son born 2001.
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