Poppy Liu Biography: Age, Partner, Net Worth, Height, Shows, Child, Activism, Hacks

Poppy Liu is a dynamic Chinese-American actress, producer, and activist, celebrated for her standout roles in HBO Max’s Hacks, NBC’s Sunnyside, and Paramount+’s iCarly.

Known for her bold performances and advocacy for marginalized communities, she has carved a unique space in Hollywood.

As a queer individual, she brings authenticity to her work, often exploring themes of identity and reproductive rights through her production company, Collective Sex.

Quick Facts

  • Full Name: Poppy Liu
  • Stage Name: Poppy Liu
  • Born: January 11, 1992
  • Age: 34 years old
  • Birthplace: Xi’an, China
  • Nationality: Chinese-American
  • Occupation: Actress, Producer, Writer, Doula
  • Height: 5 feet 6 inches
  • Parents: Mr. Liu and Mrs. Liu
  • Siblings: Unknown
  • Spouse: None
  • Children: One child
  • Relationship: Single
  • Net Worth: $1 million to $6 million USD

Early Life and Education

Poppy Liu, actress, producer, and activist, was born on January 11, 1992, in Xi’an, China.

At age two, she moved with her parents, Mr. Liu, an engineering professor, and Mrs. Liu, who worked at hotels and McDonald’s while studying computer programming, to Minnesota, where her father pursued a second PhD.

She graduated from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, in 2013 with a double major in Women’s Studies and Theatre, which shaped her advocacy for gender and identity issues.

Her multicultural background and bilingual fluency in English and Mandarin inform her artistic perspective.

Career

Poppy Liu, actress, producer, and activist, began her career in New York’s underground theatre and puppetry scenes after moving there in her early 20s.

Her entry into film included collaborations with Chinese-American and women indie filmmakers, notably producing and starring in the short film Names of Women (2017), inspired by her 2015 abortion experience, which toured college campuses and reproductive health organizations.

In 2018, she produced and starred as Mistress Yin in the viral web series Mercy Mistress, based on a Chinese-American dominatrix’s memoirs.

She made her network television debut in 2018 with a guest role as Amy Chiang in NBC’s New Amsterdam, followed by appearances in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Better Call Saul.

In 2019, she landed a series regular role as Mei Lin in NBC’s Sunnyside, earning recognition as one of TVLine’s “Fall TV Breakout Stars.”

Her role as Kiki in HBO Max’s Hacks (2021–present) brought widespread acclaim, with a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

She has since starred as Double Dutch in iCarly (2021), Amy Zhang in Tales of the Walking Dead (2022), and Greta in Dead Ringers (2023).

Recent projects include No Good Deed (2024) and Space Cadet (2024), with upcoming roles in I Love Boosters and the drama Shallow Water (2025).

Her work as a doula, offering free services to women of colour and queer trans people, and her advocacy through Collective Sex highlight her commitment to social change.

Awards and Nominations

  • Screen Actors Guild Award: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, Hacks (2022) – Nominated
  • Pena de Prata Award: Hacks (2021) – Nominated
  • HBO APA Visionaries Ambassador (2022) – Honoured
  • The Advocate’s People of the Year (2021) – Honoured
  • Out Magazine’s Out100 (2021) – Honoured
  • The Advocate’s Champions of Pride (2019) – Honoured

Social Media

  • Instagram Handle: @poppyrepublic

Personal Life

Poppy Liu, actress, producer, and activist, identifies as queer and began dating U.S. Marine Jonah Tucker in 2020.

She welcomed her first child in 2022, but the couple parted ways shortly after.

She is currently single and focuses on raising her toddler, splitting time between New York and Los Angeles.

In August 2024, she converted/reverted to Islam, reflecting her spiritual exploration.

She is a trained doula, offering free services to women of colour and queer trans people, and serves on the board of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective.

Her advocacy for reproductive rights and marginalized communities is central to her identity, inspired by her 2015 abortion, which informed Names of Women.

Filmography

  • Summon (2018) – Mannequin (Short Film)
  • New Amsterdam (2018) – Amy Chiang (TV Series, Guest Role)
  • Mercy Mistress (2018) – Mistress Yin (Web Series, Producer)
  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2019) – Guest Role (TV Series)
  • Safe Among Stars (2019) – Jia (Short Film)
  • Sunnyside (2019) – Mei Lin (TV Series, Series Regular)
  • Better Call Saul (2020) – Jo (TV Series, Guest Role)
  • Certified Black Genius (2020) – Maisa (Short Film)
  • iCarly (2021) – Double Dutch (TV Series)
  • Hacks (2021–present) – Kiki (TV Series)
  • Tales of the Walking Dead (2022) – Amy Zhang (TV Series)
  • Dollface (2022) – Guest Role (TV Series)
  • The Afterparty (2023) – Grace (TV Series)
  • History of the World: Part II (2023) – Guest Role (TV Series)
  • American Born Chinese (2023) – Princess Iron Fan (TV Series)
  • Dead Ringers (2023) – Greta (TV Series)
  • Space Cadet (2024) – Supporting Role (Film)
  • No Good Deed (2024) – Soulful Doctor (TV Series)
  • I Love Boosters (2025) – Upcoming Role (Film)
  • Shallow Water (2025) – Ramona (Film, Post-Production)

Net Worth

Poppy Liu, actress, producer, and activist, has an estimated net worth of approximately $1 million to $6 million USD.

Her income is derived from acting roles in high-profile series like Hacks, Sunnyside, and Dead Ringers, as well as film projects such as Space Cadet.

Additional earnings come from producing short films and web series through Collective Sex, brand partnerships via her Instagram presence with over 13,000 followers, and doula services.

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