Emy Coligado Biography: Age, Nationality, Parents, Awards, Spouse, Children, Net Worth, Height

Emy Coligado is a proud American actress and producer of Filipino descent, celebrated for her role as Piama Tananahaakna on the beloved sitcom Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006).

Born in Geneva, Ohio, and raised in Borger, Texas, Emy’s journey from a small-town upbringing to Hollywood success reflects her hard work and talent.

With a career spanning over two decades, she has shone in TV shows like Crossing Jordan and films like The Three Stooges (2012), bringing humor and heart to every role.

Profile

• Full Name: Emy Lee Coligado
• Stage Name: Emy Coligado
• Born: June 5, 1971
• Age: 54 years old
• Birthplace: Geneva, Ohio, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Producer
• Height: 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm)
• Religion: Christianity
• Parents: Eduardo Coligado, Ely Coligado
• Siblings: Four
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $4 million

Early Life & Education

Emy Coligado was born on June 5, 1971, in Geneva, Ohio, to Eduardo and Ely Coligado, Filipino immigrants who raised her in a tight-knit family.

Growing up in Borger, Texas, as the youngest of five children, Emy was surrounded by love and discipline, with her parents teaching her to embrace her Filipino heritage.

Her ethnicity is Filipino, and she was raised in a Christian home, attending church regularly. Emy’s childhood balanced schoolwork with creative hobbies like music and theater, which sparked her love for performing.

Her family’s support gave her the courage to pursue acting, even in a small town far from Hollywood.

Despite facing challenges as a Filipino-American in a mostly non-diverse area, Emy’s pride in her culture shaped her resilience and drive.

Emy Coligado graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

While at TCU, she explored her passion for theater, performing in school productions that honed her acting skills.

No further details about additional education are publicly available, but her psychology background likely helped her bring depth to her on-screen characters.

Career

Emy Coligado began her career in musical theater, performing on Broadway in the Tony-nominated Miss Saigon as Yvonne (1998–1999) and earlier as a Bar Girl (1995–1996).

Her love for comedy led her to perform sketch comedy at venues like Caroline’s Comedy Club in New York. Moving to Los Angeles, Emy quickly landed two recurring roles: Piama Tananahaakna, the fierce wife of Francis, on Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006), and Emmy, a medical examiner’s assistant, on Crossing Jordan (2001–2007).

These roles showcased her range, from sitcom humor to drama. Emy appeared in films like Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous (2005) as a Gate Agent, Don’t Come Knocking (2005) as a Desk Clerk, and Kids in America (2005) as Emily Chua.

She played Ling in The Three Stooges (2012) and appeared in short films such as Ctrl Z (2007), Pie (2010), and Marathoners (2011).

On TV, she guest-starred on Sabrina the Teenage Witch (2000), ER (2001), Grey’s Anatomy (2006), Chuck (2008), and Shameless (2016).

Recent roles include Helen Yung in Archive 81 (2022), Carlotta in The Changeling (2023), and a part in Hulu’s upcoming Summer of 69 (2025).

Emy also produced projects and appeared in web series, such as CTRL (2009). Her career reflects her commitment to diverse, meaningful roles.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @emycoligado

Personal Life

Emy Coligado, 54, lives a private life in Los Angeles, California. She stands at 5 feet 1 inch tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, and is known for her vibrant energy. Emy is single, with no public record of past relationships, a spouse, or children.

She enjoys staying active on social media, sharing updates about her career and Filipino culture.

Her favorite color is pink, and she loves connecting with fans through platforms like Cameo, where she records personalized videos.

Net Worth

Emy Coligado’s estimated net worth is around $4 million.

Her income comes from her acting career, including long-running roles in Malcolm in the Middle and Crossing Jordan, as well as film appearances and Broadway work.

Additional earnings stem from producing, guest-starring on TV shows, and social media engagements, such as Cameo. Her steady career and wise financial choices have built her solid wealth.

Filmography

• Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous (2005) – Gate Agent
• Don’t Come Knocking (2005) – Desk Clerk
• Kids in America (2005) – Emily Chua
• Ctrl Z (2007) – Elizabeth Carter (short film)
• Pie (2010) – Kat (short film)
• Marathoners (2011) – Dottie Bueno (short film)
• The Three Stooges (2012) – Ling