Rae Dawn Chong, a Canadian-American actress, has graced screens for decades. Born in Edmonton in 1961, the daughter of comedian Tommy Chong, her heritage reflects a rich mix of African-American, Native American, Asian, and Scottish-Irish ancestry. After her debut in the 1978 film "Stony Island," Chong's breakthrough came in 1981 with "Quest for Fire," which earned her a prestigious Genie Award for Best Actress. Throughout the 80s, she thrived with diverse roles in films like "Beat Street," "The Color Purple," "Commando," and "Soul Man," showcasing her versatility across comedies, dramas, and thrillers. Continuing to act in the 90s and beyond, Chong has also been a philanthropist, supporting charities and even discovering a future star (Chris Pratt) during his early days as a waiter. With her impactful performances, Rae Dawn Chong remains a remarkable figure in the entertainment industry.

Filmography

• 2026Moodswing Whiskey — Mama Marks
• 2026Scared to Death — Ruth
• 2025FEEL — Sitter 5
• 2025The Raven — Nurse Virginia
• 2023The Mistress
• Interview with the Vampire — Florence de Pointe du Lac
• 2022We Are Gathered Here Today — Mary Reed
• 2021The Sleeping Negro — Black Woman
• 9-1-1 — Stacey Mullins
• 2018Reborn — Dory Ryder
• 2017Five Minutes — Delores
• American Crime Story — Betty Currie
• Better Things
• 2014Knock 'em Dead — Jenny
• 2012Jeff, Who Lives at Home — Carol
• 2012Pegasus vs. Chimera — Mayda
• 2012Shiver — Detective Burdine
• 2010Cyrus: Mind of a Serial Killer — Vivian
• 2007Constellation — Jenita
• 2006Deadly Skies — Madison Taylor
• 2006Greasy Rider
• 2006Max Havoc: Ring of Fire — Sister Caroline
• That's So Raven — Lynn Thomas
• Wild Card — Sophie Mason
• 2002Highball — Rae Dawn Chong
• 2001The Visit — Felicia
• 2000Cursed Part 3 — Director
• 2000Dangerous Attraction — Ann Rich
• Mysterious Ways — Dr. Peggy Fowler
• 2000The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story
• Judging Amy — Atty. Westland
• 1999Things I Forgot to Remember — Mary
• 1998Valentine's Day — Sally
• 1997Alibi — D.A. Linda Garcia
• 1997Goodbye America — Special Agent Danzig
• E! True Hollywood Story
• 1996For Hope — Woman at Bar (uncredited)
• 1996Mask of Death — Cassandra Turner
• 1996Small Time — The Woman
• 1996Starlight
• 1995Crying Freeman — Detective Forge
• 1995Hideaway — Rose Orwetto
• 1995Power of Attorney — Joan Armstrong
• 1995The Break — Jennifer Irons
• The Outer Limits — Karen Heatherton
• 1994Boca — J.J.
• 1994Boulevard — Ola
• 1993Father & Son: Dangerous Relations — Yvonne
• 1993Time Runner — Karen Donaldson
• 1993When the Party's Over — M.J.
• Highlander: The Series — Claudia Jardine
• Melrose Place — Carrie Fellows
• 1991Chaindance — Ilene Curtis
• 1991Prison Stories: Women on the Inside — Rhonda
• 1991The Borrower — Diana Pierce
• 1990Amazon — Paola
• 1990Curiosity Kills — Jane
• 1990Denial — Julie
• 1990Far Out Man — Rae Dawn Chong
• 1990Tales from the Darkside: The Movie — Carola (segment ‘Lover’s Vow’)
• 1987Running Out of Luck — Slave Girl
• 1987The Principal — Hilary Orozco
• 1987The Squeeze — Rachel Dobs
• 1987Zabagabee
• 1986Casey at the Bat — Circe Lafemme
• 1986Soul Man — Sarah Walker
• 1985American Flyers — Sarah
• 1985Badge of the Assassin — Christine Horn
• 1985City Limits — Yogi
• 1985Commando — Cindy
• Tall Tales & Legends — Circe Lafemme
• 1985The Color Purple — Squeak
• 1984Beat Street — Tracy Carlson
• 1984Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers — The Gypsy
• 1984Choose Me — Pearl Antoine
• 1984Fear City — Leila
• The Hitchhiker — Leesa White
• St. Elsewhere — Hooker
• 1981Quest for Fire — Ika
• Top of the Hill — Rita
• 1978Stony Island — Janetta
• 1974The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton — Greta
• Relapse — Accountant

Appearances as themselves (10)

• 2020Tales Behind The Darkside: The Making Of Four Ghoulish Fables — Herself
• Celebrity Family Feud — Self
• Celebrity Ghost Stories — Self
• Charity Jam — Self
• Open Access — Self
• 1988Walking After Midnight — Self
• Late Night with David Letterman — Self - Guest
• 1982The Quest for Fire Adventure — Self
• 1981À propos de 'La guerre du feu' — Self
• The Dick Cavett Show — Self - Guest