History of Sandra Oh in Timeline
Sandra Miju Oh is a Canadian and American actress renowned for her roles in several prominent television series. She played Rita Wu in the HBO comedy series Arliss (1996–2002), Dr. Cristina Yang in the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy (2005–2014), and Eve Polastri in the BBC America spy thriller series Killing Eve (2018–2022). Her performances have earned her two Golden Globe Awards and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2019, Time magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
July 20, 1971: Sandra Oh is born
On July 20, 1971, Sandra Miju Oh was born. This event marks the birth of the future acclaimed actress.
1993: Sandra Oh graduates from National Theatre School and starts career
Sandra Oh graduated from the National Theatre School in 1993. This marked the beginning of her professional acting journey. She starred in a stage production of "Oleanna" by David Mamet in London, Ontario and won roles in television films about two prominent Chinese-Canadian women. She played Vancouver author Evelyn Lau in "The Diary of Evelyn Lau" and Adrienne Clarkson in a CBC biopic.
1994: Sandra Oh's Early Success with "Double Happiness" and "The Diary of Evelyn Lau"
In 1994, Sandra Oh gained recognition for her roles in the Canadian films "Double Happiness" and "The Diary of Evelyn Lau," even receiving Genie Awards for both performances.
1994: Critical Acclaim for "Double Happiness"
Sandra Oh's performance in the Canadian film "Double Happiness," released in 1994, earned her critical acclaim, including praise from renowned critic Roger Ebert. Her performance as Jade Li, a young Chinese-Canadian woman, resonated with audiences and critics alike, and she won a Genie Award for Best Actress for her work.
1995: Sandra Oh appears in "Little Criminals"
Sandra Oh made an uncredited appearance in the Canadian film "Little Criminals" in 1995.
1996: Sandra Oh lands role in "Arliss"
Sandra Oh's career gained momentum in 1996 when she took on the role of Rita Wu in the HBO comedy series "Arliss".
1997: Sandra Oh appears in "Bean"
Sandra Oh appeared in the film "Bean" in 1997, playing the supporting role of Bernice.
1997: Sandra Oh appears in "Bean"
Sandra Oh had a role in the film "Bean" in 1997.
1998: Sandra Oh wins another Genie Award for "Last Night"
Sandra Oh's performance in the film "Last Night", released in 1998, earned her another Genie Award for Best Actress.
1998: "Last Night" released
Sandra Oh starred in the film "Last Night", which was released in 1998.
1999: Guest appearances and notable role in "Arliss"
Sandra Oh made several guest appearances as a humanities teacher on the series "Popular" in 1999. She also had a notable role as Rita Wu, assistant to the president of a major sports agency, on the HBO series "Arliss." Her performance in "Arliss" earned her nominations for an NAACP Image Award and a Cable Ace award.
2000: Lucy Liu Becomes First Asian Woman to Host "SNL"
In 2000, Lucy Liu made history as the first Asian woman to host "Saturday Night Live," paving the way for greater diversity in the entertainment industry.
2000: Lucy Liu hosts SNL
Lucy Liu made history in 2000 by becoming the first Asian descent actress to host Saturday Night Live.
2000: "Dancing at the Blue Iguana"
Sandra Oh starred in the drama "Dancing at the Blue Iguana" in 2000, playing a stripper. Despite mixed reviews for the film, her performance was praised.
2001: Sandra Oh appears in "The Princess Diaries"
Sandra Oh had a role in the film "The Princess Diaries," which came out in 2001.
2002: "Arliss" series concludes
After a successful run, the HBO comedy series "Arliss", concluded in 2002.
2002: "Big Fat Liar" and "Full Frontal" released
Sandra Oh appeared in two films released in 2002: the family comedy "Big Fat Liar" and Steven Soderbergh's "Full Frontal" in a minor role.
2002: "Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity" premieres
The film "Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity," starring Sandra Oh, premiered in 2002.
January 2003: Sandra Oh Marries Alexander Payne
Sandra Oh married filmmaker Alexander Payne in January 2003. The couple's relationship was a significant part of Oh's life for several years.
2003: Supporting role in "Under the Tuscan Sun"
Sandra Oh had a supporting role in the film "Under the Tuscan Sun," released in 2003.
2003: Sandra Oh stars in "Under the Tuscan Sun"
Sandra Oh had a supporting role alongside Diane Lane in the film "Under the Tuscan Sun", released in 2003.
2004: Sandra Oh stars in Alexander Payne's "Sideways"
Sandra Oh had a supporting role in Alexander Payne's critically acclaimed drama "Sideways," which was released in 2004.
2004: "Wilby Wonderful" and "Sideways" released
Sandra Oh starred in two films released in 2004: "Wilby Wonderful" and "Sideways", the latter directed by Alexander Payne.
2005: Sandra Oh Joins "Grey's Anatomy"
In a career-defining moment in 2005, Sandra Oh joined the cast of the ABC medical drama series "Grey's Anatomy" as Dr. Cristina Yang.
2005: Sandra Oh and Alexander Payne Separate
Sandra Oh and Alexander Payne separated in early 2005 after two years of marriage.
2005: Sandra Oh in "Hard Candy"
Sandra Oh appeared in the controversial thriller "Hard Candy", directed by David Slade, in 2005.
2005: "3 Needles"
Sandra Oh co-starred in the independent anthology drama "3 Needles" in 2005, playing a Catholic nun working in an AIDS-stricken African village.
2005: Golden Globe Win for "Grey's Anatomy"
Sandra Oh's performance as Cristina Yang in "Grey's Anatomy" earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series in 2005.
2006: "The Night Listener" premieres
Sandra Oh co-starred alongside Robin Williams and Toni Collette in the thriller "The Night Listener," which was released in 2006.
2006: Sandra Oh and Alexander Payne Divorce
Sandra Oh and Alexander Payne finalized their divorce in late 2006.
2006: Screen Actors Guild Award for "Grey's Anatomy"
In 2006, Sandra Oh won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for her role in "Grey's Anatomy."
March 3, 2008: Sandra Oh Hosts Genie Awards
Sandra Oh hosted the 28th annual Genie Awards ceremony on March 3, 2008.
2008: Sandra Oh Hosts Genie Awards
Sandra Oh hosted the 28th Genie Awards in 2008.
2008: Grammy-Nominated Audiobook Performance
Sandra Oh's talent extended to audiobook narration in 2008, when she voiced Brigid O'Shaughnessy in a Grammy-nominated dramatization of "The Maltese Falcon."
July 2009: Emmy Nomination for "Grey's Anatomy"
In July 2009, Sandra Oh received her fifth consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her work on "Grey's Anatomy."
2009: Sandra Oh in "Defendor"
Sandra Oh appeared in the superhero comedy "Defendor" in 2009.
2009: Sandra Oh participates in "The People Speak"
Sandra Oh took part in "The People Speak," a documentary film that used dramatic and musical performances of historical American writings, in 2009.
2010: "Rabbit Hole" premieres
Sandra Oh co-starred in the critically acclaimed drama "Rabbit Hole," which was released in 2010.
2010: "Ramona and Beezus"
Sandra Oh appeared in the film "Ramona and Beezus", released in 2010.
2010: "Thorne"
In 2010, during a break from filming "Grey's Anatomy," Sandra Oh took on the role of Sarah Chen in the British crime drama "Thorne." She underwent intensive dialect coaching to accurately portray her British character.
June 28, 2011: Sandra Oh Receives Star on Canada's Walk of Fame
On June 28, 2011, it was announced that Sandra Oh would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. This prestigious honor recognized her contributions to the entertainment industry.
July 8, 2013: Sandra Oh Receives Key to the City of Ottawa
On July 8, 2013, Sandra Oh was honored with the key to the city of Ottawa by Mayor Jim Watson. This prestigious award recognized her contributions to the arts and her connection to the city.
2013: Sandra Oh Announces Departure from Grey's Anatomy
In 2013, Sandra Oh made the difficult decision to leave the popular medical drama series "Grey's Anatomy" after ten seasons. Her departure marked the end of an era for the show and her character, Cristina Yang.
October 2014: Sandra Oh Collaborates on Animated Film "Window Horses"
In October 2014, Sandra Oh announced her collaboration with Canadian director Ann Marie Fleming on an animated feature film titled "Window Horses." The film explores themes of culture, family, and identity.
2014: Sandra Oh departs from "Grey's Anatomy"
In 2014, Sandra Oh decided to move on from her iconic role as Dr. Cristina Yang in "Grey's Anatomy" after a remarkable run.
2014: Sandra Oh in "Tammy"
Sandra Oh had a role in the film "Tammy", which was released in 2014.
December 2015: Sandra Oh Begins Filming "Catfight"
Sandra Oh began filming the comedy film "Catfight" in New York City in December 2015. The film, known for its dark humor and social commentary, featured Oh in a leading role.
2016: Release of "Catfight"
"Catfight," the comedy film starring Sandra Oh, was released in 2016. The film garnered attention for its unique blend of humor and social commentary.
2016: "Catfight" premieres
The film "Catfight", starring Sandra Oh, premiered in 2016.
2017: Sandra Oh Stars in "American Crime"
In 2017, Sandra Oh took on the role of Abby Tanaka in the third season of the anthology drama series "American Crime." The series explored complex social issues and showcased Oh's acting range.
2017: "Meditation Park" released
Sandra Oh starred in the film "Meditation Park", which was released in 2017.
April 2018: Sandra Oh Lands Leading Role in "Killing Eve"
April 2018 marked a turning point in Sandra Oh's career as she took on the leading role of Eve Polastri in the BBC America and BBC Three spy thriller series "Killing Eve." The series follows the cat-and-mouse chase between Eve, a British intelligence agent, and Villanelle, a psychopathic assassin. Oh's portrayal of Eve's intelligence, determination, and complex relationship with Villanelle earned her widespread critical acclaim.
2018: Awkwafina makes history hosting SNL
Awkwafina became the second actress of Asian descent to host Saturday Night Live in 2018, following Lucy Liu's groundbreaking appearance.
2018: Sandra Oh Lends Her Voice to "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power"
From 2018 to 2020, Sandra Oh lent her voice to the character of Castaspella in the animated superhero series "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power." Her portrayal of the wise and powerful sorceress added depth and humor to the show.
2018: Sandra Oh Becomes a US Citizen
Sandra Oh became a US citizen in 2018, marking a significant milestone in her life. She embraced her new citizenship while acknowledging her Asian-Canadian heritage.
2018: Sandra Oh stars in "Killing Eve"
Sandra Oh took on the lead role of Eve Polastri in the BBC America spy thriller series "Killing Eve", which premiered in 2018.
2018: Sandra Oh Makes History with Emmy Nomination and Golden Globe Win
Sandra Oh's exceptional performance in "Killing Eve" earned her numerous accolades in 2018. She made history by becoming the first actress of Asian descent to be nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama, making her the first woman of Asian descent to win two Golden Globe Awards.
March 2019: Sandra Oh Makes History as First Asian-Canadian Woman to Host "Saturday Night Live"
In March 2019, Sandra Oh made history once again by becoming the first Asian-Canadian woman to host the iconic comedy show "Saturday Night Live." Her appearance marked a significant moment in representation and diversity in entertainment.
March 2019: Sandra Oh's Historic Golden Globe and SNL Hosting Gigs
March 2019 marked a significant month for Sandra Oh. She became the first woman of Asian descent to host the Golden Globe Awards at the 76th ceremony and the first Asian-Canadian woman to host Saturday Night Live, making her the third actress of Asian descent to do so.
2019: Sandra Oh Wins SAG Award for "Killing Eve"
Sandra Oh continued to receive recognition for her role in "Killing Eve" in 2019, winning Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series at the SAG Awards.
2019: Sandra Oh makes Time 100 Most Influential People
Sandra Oh's impact on the entertainment industry was recognized in 2019 when Time magazine included her in their list of the 100 most influential people.
2019: Sandra Oh Receives National Arts Centre Award
Sandra Oh's contributions to the arts were further recognized in 2019 when she received the National Arts Centre Award from the Governor General of Canada as part of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.
2020: Conclusion of Voice Role in "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power"
In 2020, Sandra Oh's voice role as Castaspella in the animated superhero series "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power" concluded. Her contributions to the show left a lasting impact on fans.
2020: Sandra Oh lends her voice to "Over the Moon"
Sandra Oh provided a voice role for the animated film "Over the Moon," which came out in 2020.
March 22, 2021: Sandra Oh Speaks at Stop Asian Hate Rally
On March 22, 2021, in response to the tragic Atlanta spa shootings, Sandra Oh delivered a powerful speech at a Stop Asian Hate rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She used her platform to speak out against anti-Asian violence and to advocate for unity and solidarity.
2021: Sandra Oh Stars in and Executive Produces "The Chair"
In 2021, Sandra Oh took on the dual role of star and executive producer for the Netflix comedy-drama series "The Chair." The series explored the challenges and triumphs of a woman of color navigating the world of academia.
2021: Sandra Oh Voices Debbie Grayson in "Invincible"
Sandra Oh continued to expand her voice acting repertoire in 2021 by taking on the role of Debbie Grayson in the animated superhero drama series "Invincible." Based on the comic book series of the same name, the show premiered on Amazon Prime Video.
2021: Voice role in "Raya and the Last Dragon"
Sandra Oh lent her voice to the animated film "Raya and the Last Dragon," released in 2021.
2021: Sandra Oh Voices Virana in Disney's "Raya and the Last Dragon"
Sandra Oh lent her voice to the character of Virana, the chieftess of the Fang tribe, in Disney's animated film "Raya and the Last Dragon" in 2021. Her portrayal of the fierce and protective leader added depth to the film's exploration of trust and unity.
2021: Sandra Oh takes on "The Chair"
Sandra Oh took on the lead role and executive producer duties for the Netflix comedy-drama series "The Chair" in 2021.
June 2022: Sandra Oh Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada
In June 2022, Sandra Oh was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors. This prestigious award recognized her outstanding contributions to the arts and her advocacy for diversity and representation.
2022: Sandra Oh voices a character in "Turning Red"
Sandra Oh contributed her voice to the animated film "Turning Red," released in 2022.
2022: Sandra Oh Voices Ming Lee in Pixar's "Turning Red"
Sandra Oh lent her voice to the character of Ming Lee, the overprotective mother of the main character in Pixar's animated film "Turning Red" in 2022. Her portrayal of the complex mother-daughter relationship resonated with audiences.
2022: "Killing Eve" series ends
The BBC America spy thriller series "Killing Eve" ended in 2022.
2023: Sandra Oh Stars in "Quiz Lady"
In 2023, Sandra Oh starred as Jenny Yum in the 20th Century Studios comedy film "Quiz Lady." Her portrayal of the brash and impulsive older sister added humor and heart to the film.
2023: "Quiz Lady"
Sandra Oh starred in the film "Quiz Lady", which was released in 2023.