Jennifer Tilly

Jennifer Tilly was born Jennifer E. Chan on September 16, 1958 and is an Academy Award-nominated actress.

Tilly to her acting to the poker tables and won a World Series of Poker bracelet in the 2005 Ladies' No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em event and won $158,625. Then in September 2005 Tilly also won the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament held at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles. Jen has appeared in the GSN Poker Royale series and also appeared in the third season of Poker Superstars but was eliminated in the preliminary round.

It was in 2003 when Tilly began playing in competitive poker tournaments, when she was encouraged by her boyfriend, professional poker player Phil "The Unabomber" Laak. Tilly has since been nicknamed "The Unabombshell". After she won the 2005 WSOP, Jennifer credited Laak with teaching her everything she knows about poker.

Jennifer Tilly is the second of four children. Her parents are Harry Chan, a Chinese American used car salesman, and Patricia Tilly, a schoolteacher and former stage actress. Jen was raised by her mother and stepfather, John Ward, in rural British Columbia, Canada following her parents' divorce. Her sister is actress Meg Tilly.

Jennifer has appeared in many movies and TV shows, but Tilly's breakthrough film role was as a singing waitress in 1989 movie "The Fabulous Baker Boys" in a part that was specially written for her by Steve Kloves.

In a television interview, Tilly stated that at this point in her career she is more interested in pursuing poker than acting.


Fun Facts:

• First Hollywood celebrity to win a WSOP bracelet
• Was married to "The Simpsons" writer/producer Sam Simon (1984-1991)
• Was nominated for an Oscar.
• Is dating poker pro Phil Laak.
• Was raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.