Lo Mutuc
{{Short description|American comic actor (born 1986)}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Lo Mutuc
| image = CharlyneYiByPhilKonstantin (cropped).jpg
| caption = Mutuc in 2009
| birth_name = Charlyne Amanda Yi
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|1|4}}{{cite web|url=https://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/charlyne_amanda_yi_born_1986_17732066|title=Charlyne Amanda Yi, Born 01/04/1986 in California|website=CaliforniaBirthIndex.org|language=en-US}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|musician|writer}}
| years_active = 2006–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Jet Elfman|2016|2018|end=divorced}}
}}
Lo Mutuc, born Charlyne Yi{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.lomutuc.com/work/about |access-date=2025-05-05 |website='-) |language=en-US}} (January 4, 1986), is an American actor, comedian, musician, and writer, known for their role as Dr. Chi Park in the Fox medical drama House (2011–2012), and for providing the voices of the Rubies in the Cartoon Network animated series Steven Universe (2015–2018) and its epilogue series Steven Universe Future (2019–2020), Chloe Park in We Bare Bears (2015–2019), Alice in Summer Camp Island (2018–2023), Mai in Next Gen (2018), and Larry in StuGo (2025–present).
Mutuc’s screenwriting debut, the feature film Paper Heart, won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. As a comedian, their performances include music, magic, games, and often audience participation.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-31-wk-yi31-story.html|title=Suddenly, Yi is sitting pretty|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|first=Nicole|last=LaPorte|date=May 31, 2007|quote= Yi's fortune turned pretty quickly considering the Fontana native is only 21}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/09/charlyne-yi-geek-love.html|title=Charlyne Yi: Geek Love|magazine=Paste|first=Michael|last=Saba|date=September 30, 2009|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206005919/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/09/charlyne-yi-geek-love.html|archive-date=December 6, 2009}}{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/features/charlyne-yi-1117960233/|last=Boyd|first=Betsy|title=Charlyne Yi: 10 Comics to Watch|magazine=Variety|date=February 26, 2007|access-date=April 24, 2007}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-luxury-of-forgetting|title=David Cross, Charlyne Yi and the Luxury of Forgetting|first=Elysha|last=Chang|magazine=gq.com|date=October 24, 2017}}
Early life
Mutuc was raised in Fontana, California.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.believermag.com/issues/201003/?read=interview_yi|title=Interview: Charlyne Yi|magazine=The Believer|date= March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307051503/https://believermag.com/issues/201003/?read=interview_yi|archive-date=March 7, 2010}} They are of Filipino, Mexican, and Korean descent.{{cite web | url=https://charlyne-yi.com/work/about | title=About }}{{cite web |last1=Farris |first1=Christopher |title=These Filipinos Are the Voices of Modern Cartoon and Anime Characters |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/movies-and-tv/filipino-voice-actors-a00288-20190211-lfrm2 |website=Esquire |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708091145/https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/movies-and-tv/filipino-voice-actors-a00288-20190211-lfrm2 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |date=February 11, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Prentice|first=Claire|url=http://edinburgh-festivals.com/viewpreview.aspx?id=1343|title=Preview: Charlyne Yi – Dances on the Moon|website=edinburgh-festivals.com|date=August 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123044626/http://edinburgh-festivals.com/viewpreview.aspx?id=1343|archive-date=November 23, 2010}} They attended the University of California, Riverside before leaving to pursue a full-time career in comedy. They had an early interest in performing while attending Bloomington High School and were involved in theatre.
Career
File:Charlyne Yi at UCB.jpg Christmas Show at the UCB Theater]]
Mutuc began their career by performing in Bloomington, California. After high school, they performed shows in Los Angeles at The Steve Allen Theater, and The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. In 2005 and 2006 they performed in the New York Comedy Festival,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/03/arts/03come.html|date=November 3, 2005|access-date=April 24, 2007|last=Keepnews|first=Peter|newspaper=The New York Times|title=Upstart Comedians Goofing on Andy}} and in 2007 HBO's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado.
Mutuc’s film debut was in Judd Apatow's 2007 film Knocked Up. In 2008, Mutuc performed as part of the Apatow for Destruction Live comedy show at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2007/digital/markets-festivals/index-sets-up-china-shop-1117975340/|magazine=Variety|title=Just For Laughs highlights|date=July 10, 2008}}
In the 2009 film Paper Heart, a "hybrid documentary"{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/film-review-paper-heart-1003934187.story|title=Film Review: Paper Heart|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=March 10, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110055445/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/film-review-paper-heart-1003934187.story|archive-date=January 10, 2010}} in which Lo served as both executive producer and co-writer, Mutuc starred as a fictional version of themself, alongside Michael Cera.
Mutuc was chosen as one of Venus Zine{{'}}s "25 under 25" women for 2009.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.venuszine.com/articles/art_and_culture/5336/25_Under_25|title=25 under 25|magazine=Venus Zine|date=March 1, 2009|author=Venus Zine Staff|quote=Funny lady Charlyne Yi's name may not sound familiar, but you have seen them in movies and TV shows like Knocked Up and Miss Guided, and now in Paper Heart, a half-documentary, half-narrative starring Yi's real-life love interest Michael Cera about the meaning of love. Aww.|access-date=February 16, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306110639/http://venuszine.com/articles/art_and_culture/5336/25_Under_25|archive-date=March 6, 2009}}
They appeared alongside Saturday Night Live cast member Fred Armisen in the 2009 music video for the song "Rabbit Habits" by Philadelphia experimental band Man Man.
Mutuc and Paul Rust formed the band The Glass Beef. The duo shares one electric guitar, and both sing lead vocals. In 2006, they released their debut album, The Farewell Album, produced by John Spiker, bassist of Tenacious D.
Mutuc was featured in the video "Song Away" by Hockey.{{cite web|url=http://www.channelapa.com/2009/08/song-away-by-hockey-with-charlyne-yi.html|title=Song Away by Hockey with Charlyne Yi|access-date=March 28, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008033346/http://www.channelapa.com/2009/08/song-away-by-hockey-with-charlyne-yi.html|archive-date=October 8, 2011}} In 2013, Mutuc and Jet Elfman formed the band Sacred Destinies.{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Natalie |date=2014-10-03 |title=Charlyne Yi talks about her new band Sacred Destinies, at Love Garden on Saturday, and 'retiring' from comedy |url=https://www.thepitchkc.com/charlyne-yi-talks-about-her-new-band-sacred-destinies-at-love-garden-on-saturday-and-retiring-from-comedy/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=The Pitch |language=en-US}}
From October 2011 to May 2012, Mutuc starred in the Fox television series House as Dr. Chi Park, a young doctor with anger management issues.{{cite web|url=http://www.fox.com/house/bios/charlyne-yi.htm|title=Bio: Charlyne Yi / Dr. Chi Park|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713061412/http://www.fox.com/house/bios/charlyne-yi.htm|archive-date=July 13, 2012}}, FOX website for the House MD series{{cite web|url=http://www.channelapa.com/2011/11/charlyne-yi-as-dr-chi-park-on-house.html|title=Charlyne Yi as Dr. Chi Park on House|publisher=channelAPA.com|date=November 1, 2011|access-date=November 9, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121212105/http://www.channelapa.com/2011/11/charlyne-yi-as-dr-chi-park-on-house.html|archive-date=November 21, 2011}}
Non-profit work
Mutuc has been involved with Oxfam America since 2010, working to raise awareness about poverty and hunger worldwide.{{cite web|url=http://www.oxfamamerica.org/articles/actress-charlyne-yi-fights-hunger-with-oxfam|title=Actress Charlyne Yi fights hunger with Oxfam|website=Oxfam America|date=September 16, 2010|first=Anna|last=Kramer|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031221827/http://www.oxfamamerica.org/articles/actress-charlyne-yi-fights-hunger-with-oxfam/|archive-date=October 31, 2013}} Lo started the non-profit Caring is Cool in 2011, and hosted a benefit show to raise money for the organization.{{cite web|url=http://charlyneyi.tumblr.com/post/2750901881/caring-is-cool-is-my-new-non-profit-i-made-to-help|title=Charlyne Yi {{!}} Caring is Cool is my new NON-PROFIT I made to help|website=Tumblr|date=July 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717112253/http://charlyneyi.tumblr.com/post/2750901881/caring-is-cool-is-my-new-non-profit-i-made-to-help|archive-date=July 17, 2011}}
Personal life
Lo describes their gender identity as genderfluid. They use they/them pronouns.{{cite web |last1=Yi |first1=Charlyne |title=charlyne-yi.com |url=https://charlyne-yi.com/ |access-date=10 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524002832/https://charlyne-yi.com/|archive-date=May 24, 2022}}
In 2016, Lo married Jet Elfman, their Sacred Destinies bandmate. After a year of separation, Elfman filed for divorce in April 2018.{{Cite web |title=Charlyne Yi's Secret Husband Files for Divorce |url=https://extratv.com/2018/04/30/charlyne-yis-secret-husband-files-for-divorce/ |access-date=2024-10-07}}{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2018 |title='House' Star Charlyne Yi's Husband Files for Divorce |url=https://theblast.com/54599/charlyne-yi-divorce/ |access-date=2024-10-07}}
On Twitter, Lo accused Marilyn Manson of sexual harassment on the set of House.{{Cite web | title=Actress Charlyne Yi claims Marilyn Manson harassed her and other women on set of 'House' | first=Nicole | last=Bitette | date=February 17, 2018 | work=Daily News | location=New York | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/charlyne-yi-claims-marilyn-manson-harassed-women-house-article-1.3826760}}
In 2018, Amber Tamblyn said of her husband David Cross "Basically he was rightfully accused of doing something racist to the comedian Charlyne Yi" following tweets that Lo had posted on the subject in 2017.{{Cite web | title=Amber Tamblyn Says David Cross Was 'Rightfully Accused Of Doing Something Racist' | first=Elyse | last=Wanshel | date=July 3, 2018 | work=HuffPost | url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/amber-tamblyn-david-cross-racist_n_5b3bec20e4b09e4a8b285bec}} Cross asked Lo to reach out via direct message to discuss the situation. He later publicly apologized to Lo, claiming that he would "never intentionally hurt someone like that".{{Cite web |title=David Cross Stirs Up Controversy With Apology to Charlyne Yi for Alleged Racist Incident |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/david-cross-apology-charlyne-yi-racist-incident |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Teen Vogue |date=October 18, 2017 }}
In 2021, Lo spoke out about their experience with James Franco, specifically discussing their efforts to quit his 2017 film, The Disaster Artist, after learning of the sexual misconduct allegations against him. Lo also criticized Seth Rogen for enabling Franco's behavior and continuing to work with him following the allegations.{{Cite web|title=Charlyne Yi provides 'checklist' for Seth Rogen to make good after 'siding' with James Franco | first=Tatiana | last=Tenreyro | date=May 11, 2021 | url=https://www.avclub.com/charlyne-yi-provides-checklist-for-seth-rogen-to-make-1846869813 | access-date=September 3, 2021 | website=The A.V. Club | language=en-us}}
In 2024, Lo stated that while filming Time Bandits for Apple TV+, they were repeatedly assaulted by a male actor who injured Lo’s back. An on-set source disputed Lo’s claims, which were investigated and found unsubstantiated.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/charlyne-yi-assault-allegations-time-bandits-set-1235901593/|title=Charlyne Yi Says They Were Physically and Mentally Abused on 'Time Bandits' Series Set|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Dolak|first=Kevin|date=May 16, 2024|access-date=May 16, 2024}}
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Film work by Charlyne Yi | |
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col" class=unsortable | Notes | |
|---|---|
| 2007
!scope="row"| Knocked Up | Jodi | |
| rowspan="2"| 2008
!scope="row"| Cloverfield | Party Goer | |
| scope="row"| Semi-Pro
| Wheelchair Jody || | |
| rowspan="2"| 2009
!scope="row"| Paper Heart | Charlyne Yi | Nominated – Comedy Film Award for Best Actress |
| scope="row"| All About Steve
| Young Protester|| | |
| 2010
!scope="row"| Fast | Donna Fast | Two-minute video short |
| 2012
!scope="row"| This Is 40 | Jodi | |
| 2014
!scope="row"| The Last Time You Had Fun | Betty | |
| 2016
!scope="row"| Nerdland | Becky | Voice{{cite web |title=Charlyne Yi (visual voices guide) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Charlyne-Yi/ |access-date=November 8, 2023 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. |
| rowspan="3"| 2017
!scope="row"| The Disaster Artist | Safoya | |
| scope="row"| Literally, Right Before Aaron
| Claire || | |
| scope="row"| The Lego Ninjago Movie | |
| rowspan="3"| 2018
!scope="row"| Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich | Nerissa | |
| scope="row"| Next Gen
| Mai Su || Voice | |
| scope="row"| Second Act
| Ariana || | |
| rowspan="4"| 2019
!scope="row"| Always Be My Maybe | Ginger | |
| scope="row"| Goldie
| Goldie || Voice, short | |
| scope="row"| Steven Universe: The Movie | |
| scope="row"| Jexi
| Elaine || | |
| rowspan="2"|2020
!scope="row"| Trolls World Tour | Pennywhistle | Voice |
| scope="row"| We Bare Bears: The Movie | |
| rowspan="2"|2021
!scope="row"| Happily | Gretel | |
| scope="row"| The Mitchells vs. the Machines | |
| 2022
!scope="row"| My Father's Dragon | Magda |
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Television work by Charlyne Yi | |
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col" class=unsortable | Notes | |
|---|---|
| | 2006
!scope="row"| Help Me Help You | Charlyne | Episode: "The Sheriff" |
| rowspan="3"| 2007
!scope="row"| 30 Rock | Grace Park | Episode: "The C Word" |
| scope="row"| Cold Case
| Dorky Girl || Episode: "Stand Up and Holler" | |
| scope="row"| Powerloafing
| Executive Assistant || | |
| | 2008
!scope="row"| Miss Guided | Karey | Episode: "Pool Party" |
| | 2011
!scope="row"| Love Bites | Sex Shop Manager | Episodes: "Unaired Pilot" & "Firsts" |
| | 2011–2012
!scope="row"| House | Dr. Chi Park | 21 episodes |
| | 2015
!scope="row"| Looking | Cashier | Episode: "Looking for a Plot" |
| 2015–2018
!scope="row"| Steven Universe | Ruby, various Rubies, Cluster | Voice, recurring role (12 episodes) |
| 2015–2019
!scope="row"| We Bare Bears | Chloe Park | Voice, recurring role (18 episodes) |
| rowspan="3" | 2016
!scope="row"| Love | Cori | 3 episodes |
| scope="row"| Jane the Virgin
| Angela || Episode: "Chapter Thirty-Nine" | |
| scope="row"| Future-Worm!
| Zoe || Voice, episode: "Bug vs. the Babysitter" | |
| rowspan="3" | 2017
!scope="row"| Twin Peaks | Ruby | Episode: "Part 15" |
| scope="row"| Danger & Eggs
| Layla || Voice, episode: "Keep Off the Grass/Pennies" | |
| scope="row"| Room 104
| Gracie || Episode: "FOMO" | |
| rowspan="2" | 2018
!scope="row"| Lucifer | Ray-Ray / Azrael | 2 episodes{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/lucifer-fox-airdate-bonus-episodes-cancelled-series-1202395468/|title='Lucifer': Fox Sets Airdate For Two Bonus Episodes Of Canceled Series|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=May 21, 2018}} |
| scope="row"| DIY
| Eli || Voice, TV short | |
| 2018–2023
!scope="row"| Summer Camp Island | Alice Fefferman | Voice, main role (22 episodes) |
| 2019–2020
! scope="row"| Steven Universe Future | Ruby, Eyeball Ruby, Ruby Bodyguards | |
| 2020
!scope="row"| Good Girls | Lucy | 2 episodes |
| 2021
!scope="row"| Tig n' Seek | Georgia | Voice, episode: "Must Love Bugs" |
| rowspan="3" | 2022
!scope="row"| Amphibia | The Guardian | Voice, episode: "The Hardest Thing" |
| scope="row"| We Baby Bears
| Alice Fefferman || Voice, episode: "Witches" | |
| scope="row"| Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities
| Charlotte Xie || Episode: "The Viewing" | |
| 2024
!scope="row"| Time Bandits | Judy | Yi withdrew halfway through filming |
| 2025–present
!scope="row"| StuGo | Larry | Voice, main role |
Books
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Books by Charlyne Yi |
| "
!scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Type |
| 2015
!scope="row"| Oh the Moon | Text/Image hybrid |
| 2019
!scope="row"| You Can't Kill Me Twice (So Please Treat Me Right) | Poetry |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name}}
- [http://larecord.com/interviews/2009/06/26/charlyne-yi-paper-heart-interview-i-want-to-kiss-it-bad/#more-32242 June 2009 Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616163653/http://larecord.com/interviews/2009/06/26/charlyne-yi-paper-heart-interview-i-want-to-kiss-it-bad#more-32242 |date=June 16, 2015 }} with L.A. Record
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yi, Charlyne}}
Category:21st-century American actors
Category:21st-century American comedians
Category:21st-century American screenwriters
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:Actors from Los Angeles County, California
Category:American comedy musicians
Category:American non-binary actors
Category:American performance artists
Category:American stand-up comedians
Category:American television actors
Category:American voice actors
Category:LGBTQ people from California
Category:American non-binary musicians
Category:American non-binary writers
Category:People from Fontana, California
Category:University of California, Riverside alumni
Category:Upright Citizens Brigade Theater performers
Category:American LGBTQ comedians
Category:American actors of Filipino descent
Category:American actors of Mexican descent
Category:American actors of Korean descent