Lisa Yamanaka

Lisa Yamanaka
Born
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Other namesLisa Boynton
Lisa Jai
OccupationActress

Lisa Jai Yamanaka is a Canadian actress. She is known as the voice of Wanda Li in The Magic School Bus and Yoko in Timothy Goes to School. Yamanaka is also known for her work on Babar and Resident Evil 2. She is also credited as Lisa Boynton and Lisa Jai.

Career

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Yamanaka was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she stayed until 2008 until she moved to Los Angeles, California before moving back to Toronto in 2011. She attended Central Commerce Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Ontario. Yamanaka was awarded the Unsung Hero Award by the City of Toronto 2012 for her advocacy work in diversity in the mainstream media. She debuted her first theatre production in the city of Watts, California as Isela Sanchez in Lynn Manning's 'The Unrequited: A tale between two Worlds' with Cornerstone Theater and Watts Village Theater. She has also become an advocate for disabled actors, having developed rheumatoid arthritis.[1] As of 2018, Yamanaka focuses her time on theatre, independent films, and advocacy. She is also a published poet and spoken-word artist, having performed at the inaugural event Poetic Fashion. She has also performed spoken word in Los Angeles, New York, and Swaziland.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1989 Babar: The Movie Isabelle (voice)
1992 This Is My Life Shawn
1994 Mirabelle and Me Gwendolyn (voice) Television film
1995 Nilus the Sandman: The First Day Girl Television film
1996 Balance of Power Jasmine Matsumoto
2010 Creed Asia
2013 Sisters Crystal Short film
2014 The Window News Anchor
2014 Lost Angels Louise
2014 Runaway Dream Linn Short film

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1988 My Secret Identity Megan Episode: "You've Got a Friend"
1989–1991 Babar Flora (1989–1990), Isabelle (1991) (voice) 65 episodes
1989 T. and T. Kim Episode: "Family Honour"
1990 Little Rosey Nonny, Tater (voice)
The Raccoons Patty (voice) Episode: "Endless Summer!"
1991 Rupert Additional Voices (voice) 13 episodes
1993 Tales from the Cryptkeeper Becky (voice) Episode: "Nature"
1994–1996 The Busy World of Richard Scarry Bridget Murphy & additional Voices (voice) 31 episodes
1994 Monster Force Additional Voices (voice) 13 episodes
1994–1997 The Magic School Bus Wanda Li (voice) 52 episodes
1995 Squawk Box Various
1995 The Neverending Story The Childlike Empress, Junior Rockbiter (voice) 13 episodes[2]
1995 Mr. Dressup Herself (guest) 1 episode[3]
1996–1998 Stickin' Around Ashley (voice)
1999–2002 Tweenies Fizz (voice) US version
2000 Twice in a Lifetime Georgia Episode: "Pride and Prejudice"
2000–2001 Timothy Goes to School Yoko (voice) 26 episodes[2]
2001–2002 Medabots Erika Amazake (voice)
2001–2003 George Shrinks Ellen / Ronnie Ribnod / Winifred 5 episodes
2010–2012 Pillars of Freedom Spirit (voice) 26 episodes[2]
2013 Trail Mix Holly Episode: "The Trail Mix Crew"
2013 Apartment Manager Lisa Episode: "Unit 4"
2017 The Magic School Bus Rides Again Mrs. Li, William Li, Caller (voice) Episode: "The Magnetic Mambo"

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
1998 Resident Evil 2 Sherry Birkin
2000 Dino Crisis 2 Paula Morton

References

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  1. ^ "Lisa Jai: Actress, Advocate & Inspiration". rocknrolltheplay.com. 2012-06-03. Archived from the original on 2014-07-27. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
  2. ^ a b c "lacasting.com". Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  3. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: 1995 - Mr Dressup - Christmas Episode. YouTube.
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