The voice of Master Monkey in Nickelodeon's Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, James Sie, established his presence through a diverse career spanning animation, stage, and literature. Born in Summit in 1962, this American actor and novelist built an extensive body of work as both a screen performer and a prominent voice artist across major television and gaming franchises.
Voice Acting and Animation
Sie is recognized for his extensive work in animation, most notably as a recurring voice in Jackie Chan Adventures, where he portrayed a version of Chan alongside characters like Chow and Shendu. His versatility led to him replacing Jackie Chan as Master Monkey in Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, a role he also maintained for video game adaptations. Additionally, his credits include portraying the Cabbage Merchant in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kwan in Danny Phantom, Chen Lin in W.I.T.C.H., and providing voices for Fin Fang Foom and Radioactive Man in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.
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Before his prominence in voice acting, Sie focused on stage work, particularly in Chicago. He wrote and performed the 1999 autobiographical one-person show Talking With My Hands, which detailed his upbringing in a Chinese and Italian household. His contributions to theater were recognized with a 1995 Joseph Jefferson Award Citation for his play Island of the Blue Dolphins at the Lifeline Theatre. Other notable stage adaptations include his work on A Wrinkle in Time, which reached the Lincoln Center Institute in New York, and a production of Dracula, both of which garnered him Jeff Citation nominations. He also received an After Dark Award for The Road to Graceland.
Writing and Screen Roles
Outside of his voice and stage performances, Sie has appeared in on-camera film roles including Strawberry Fields, where he starred opposite Suzy Nakamura, and Chain Reaction. In 2015, he expanded his professional output into literature with the publication of his debut novel, Still Life Las Vegas. His other creative contributions include writing adaptations of Daniel Pinkwater's The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death and Randy Shilts' Talking AIDS to Death, both of which were adapted for various broadcast and performance formats.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Summit
- Citizenship: United States
- Primary occupations: Actor, voice actor, novelist
- Spouse: Douglas Wood
- Child: Benjamin
- Notable animation role: Cabbage Merchant, Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Novel: Still Life Las Vegas (2015)
Questions readers ask
What is James Sie best known for in animation?
He is recognized for his role as the Cabbage Merchant in Avatar: The Last Airbender and as a recurring voice double for Jackie Chan in the Jackie Chan Adventures series.
Did James Sie work in theater?
Yes, he performed and wrote several stage plays in Chicago, winning a 1995 Joseph Jefferson Award Citation for his adaptation of Island of the Blue Dolphins.
Achievements
- Worked as actor, novelist and voice actor
