
Actress, Singer-Songwriter, Stand-Up Comedian, Screenwriter:
Anzu Lawson---------Standing onstage as a Miss Pre-Teen California
hopeful, Anzu Lawson was asked the type of generic question
that most contestants would have answered with “World
Peace!” Instead, she seized the moment, and began doing
an impromptu spoof of Japanese stereotypes. As the audience
roared, she realized she had command over an audience and
comedy chops. At 15, with modeling and pageants behind her,
Anzu left Southern California for her Mother’s native
Japan, and immediately found success hosting a popular variety
show called Wooly Bully.
She went on to star in the Hong Kong martial arts cult classic
film Final Fight. At the urging of mentor Jon Anderson from
YES, she recorded three albums for AVEX Records Japan. Her
cover of The Rose, the theme for the hit TV show Tsugumie,
reached 1 on the Billboard charts. She then reached 1 on the
European dance charts as a featured singer on Sweet Clarity
with the project Aquabox.
Back in the US, Anzu continued to perform, this time co-starring
with Viggo Mortensen in American Yakuza, a film that critics
said was, “The Godfather: The next generation”.
She went on to star in the 3rd installment of the Best of
the Best series with Gina Gershon. It was then that Anzu decided
to start flexing her comedic muscle again, appearing on Til'
Death, The King of Queens, and Comedy Central’s Mind
of Mencia. Balancing both passions wasn’t always easy,
but she continued to write. Resulting in performing &
writing the original song, I Am Onto You for the Russell Crowe
drama, No Way Back. That led her to work with legendary composers
Hans Zimmer, supplying lead vocals on music for The Davinci
Code, and Harry Gregson-Williams, providing vocals on The
Chronicles of Narnia, Spygame and Illegal Tender soundtracks.
Recently, she's appeared on CRIMINAL MINDS. She also appears
with Christian Slater, William H. Macy and Elisha Cuthbert
in the upcoming film He Was A Quiet Man out on DVD now, and
her LP, I WANT TO LIVE, featuring NIN and Sting drummer Josh
Freese, and a rock duet with Sonny from P.O.D., IS AVAILABLE
on itunes. Most recently Anzu has been performing her original
Stand-Up to huge laughs at the well-known Ha Ha Café,
Hollywood & Brea Improvs and The Comedy Store.
Awards/distinctions:
1st place quarter finalist in CALIFORNIA'S FUNNIEST FEMALE
CONTEST 2008
For more on Anzu Lawson visit:
www.myspace.com/AnzuLawson
www.youtube.com/AnzuLawson