Ahney Her
Encyclopedia
Whitney Cua Her better known by her stage name Ahney Her, is an American actress.
, where she had completed high school at Sexton High School when cast for Gran Torino. She had studied drama in a local talent school for three years.
. In Gran Torino, Eastwood plays a Korean War
veteran who helps a Hmong American
family in his Detroit neighborhood. She plays Sue, the intelligent, witty older sister of Thao, who was portrayed by Bee Vang
. She was 16 years old at the time of the film's opening in wide release on January 9, 2009.
She was cast in the film after responding to an open casting call sign-up at a soccer tournament. The open call was specifically looking for potential Hmong actors. In a 2009 interview with The Grand Rapids Press, she recalled, "I didn't believe it, 'cause the tent said, you know, 'Clint Eastwood movie' or something like that, 'Hmong people needed.' And I'm like, 'OK, yeah right. Like this would happen.' Out of all people, Hmong people? No."
Ahney Her was in Grand Rapids, Michigan
, to watch the first screening of Gran Torino. The film made its Grand Rapids debut at the Theater One at Celebration! Cinemas North on January 9, 2009.
Early life and education
Ahney Her was born and raised in Lansing, MichiganLansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, where she had completed high school at Sexton High School when cast for Gran Torino. She had studied drama in a local talent school for three years.
Career
Her first film role was in the 2008 film Gran Torino, directed by Clint EastwoodClint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
. In Gran Torino, Eastwood plays a Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
veteran who helps a Hmong American
Hmong American
A Hmong American is a resident of the United States who is of ethnic Hmong descent. Hmong Americans are one group of Asian Americans. Many Lao Hmong war refugees resettled in the U.S. following the communist takeover of Laos in 1975...
family in his Detroit neighborhood. She plays Sue, the intelligent, witty older sister of Thao, who was portrayed by Bee Vang
Bee Vang
Bee Vang is an American actor. He is the co-star of Clint Eastwood's 2008 film Gran Torino. Before this role, he did not have any known acting experience.- Personal life :...
. She was 16 years old at the time of the film's opening in wide release on January 9, 2009.
She was cast in the film after responding to an open casting call sign-up at a soccer tournament. The open call was specifically looking for potential Hmong actors. In a 2009 interview with The Grand Rapids Press, she recalled, "I didn't believe it, 'cause the tent said, you know, 'Clint Eastwood movie' or something like that, 'Hmong people needed.' And I'm like, 'OK, yeah right. Like this would happen.' Out of all people, Hmong people? No."
Ahney Her was in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
, to watch the first screening of Gran Torino. The film made its Grand Rapids debut at the Theater One at Celebration! Cinemas North on January 9, 2009.