Sandra Oh

Though actress Sandra Oh secured leading parts on television and in film in her native Canada, she found some difficulty translating that success when she initially sought work in the United States, due in large part to her Korean heritage. Possessing a likable combination of realized self-assurance and a childlike vulnerability, Oh was able to persevere, landing a scene-stealing and award-winning supporting role as an overworked and underpaid assistant to a sports agent on "Arli$$" (HBO, 1996-2002). Oh was able to parlay her critical acclaim into ever-increasingly higher profile roles, including "Dancing at the Blue Iguana" (2000) and "Under the Tuscan Sun" (2003). But in 2004, Oh suddenly emerged onto the national stage as part of the ensemble cast of then-husband Alexander Payne's droll, wine-soaked dramedy, "Sideways" (2004). She immediately followed with an award-winning performance as the overly ambitious surgical intern, Cristina Yang, on the hit series, "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC, 2005- ), earning the talented actress the acclaim and recognition she richly deserved.