Tamlyn Tomita Biography: Age, Movies & TV Shows, Net Worth, Husband, Height

Tamlyn Naomi Tomita is an American actress of Japanese descent, celebrated for her versatile performances across film and television.

She gained prominence for her role as Kumiko in The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and has since built a prolific career with roles in The Joy Luck Club (1993), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), and Teen Wolf (2014–2017).

Tomita’s recent portrayal of Commander Klyden in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) has further showcased her ability to bring depth to complex characters.

Known for her advocacy for Asian-American representation, she has become a respected figure in Hollywood, blending grace and resilience in her work.

Profile

• Full Name: Tamlyn Naomi Tomita
• Stage Name: Tamlyn Tomita
• Born: 27 January, 1966
• Age: 59 years old
• Birthplace: Okinawa, Japan
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 1.63m
• Parents: Shiro Tomita, Asako Tomita
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Daniel Blinkoff
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Tamlyn Naomi Tomita was born on January 27, 1966, in Okinawa, Japan, to Shiro Tomita, a Japanese-American interned at Manzanar during World War II, and Asako Tomita.

Raised in Los Angeles, California, after her family moved there, she grew up immersed in her Japanese heritage.

Information about siblings is not publicly available.

Tomita attended Granada Hills High School, where she was crowned Nisei Week Queen in 1984, a cultural honor in the Japanese-American community.

She studied history at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), intending to become a history teacher before pursuing acting.

Her ethnicity is Japanese-American, and her religion is not publicly known.

Career

Tamlyn Tomita began her acting career after being scouted as Nisei Week Queen, leading to her breakout role as Kumiko in The Karate Kid Part II (1986), filmed in Oahu, Hawaii.

Her performance as Daniel LaRusso’s love interest earned her widespread recognition.

She followed this with roles in Hiroshima Maiden (1988) and Come See the Paradise (1990), showcasing her ability to portray nuanced Japanese-American characters.

Her role as Waverly Jong in The Joy Luck Club (1993), directed by Wayne Wang, solidified her status, earning critical acclaim for her portrayal of a daughter navigating cultural identity.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Tomita appeared in films like Picture Bride (1994), Four Rooms (1995), and The Day After Tomorrow (2004), where she played a NASA scientist.

Her television career flourished with recurring roles in JAG (1997–1998), 24 (2002–2003), and Eureka (2006–2009).

She gained a new generation of fans as Noshiko Yukimura in MTV’s Teen Wolf (2014–2017), bringing gravitas to the role of a centuries-old kitsune.

Other notable TV roles include Law & Order: LA (2010–2011), Chasing Life (2014–2015), and The Man in the High Castle (2016–2018), where she portrayed a resistance leader.

Currently, Tomita remains a sought-after actress, with her role as Commander Klyden in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) earning praise for its intensity in episodes like “The North.”

She also appeared in The Good Doctor (2017–2023) as Allegra Aoki, a hospital board chair.

An advocate for Asian-American representation, she has spoken at events like the Japanese American National Museum about diversity in media.

Tomita’s recent work includes voice acting in Ultraman Z (2020) and ongoing projects, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer for Asian-American actors.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @tamlyntomita
• Facebook Handle: Tamlyn Tomita
• Twitter Handle: @thetamlyntomita

Personal Life

Tamlyn Tomita is married to Daniel Blinkoff, an actor and creative collaborator.

The couple began their long-term relationship around 2004, later formalizing their commitment with marriage in August 2021.

Together, they co-founded the Outside In Theatre company in Highland Park, Los Angeles.

There is no public record or confirmation indicating that Tamlyn Tomita and Daniel Blinkoff have any children together.

Filmography

• The Karate Kid Part II (1986) – Kumiko
• Hiroshima Maiden (1988) – Miyeko
• Come See the Paradise (1990) – Lily Kawamura
• The Joy Luck Club (1993) – Waverly Jong
• Picture Bride (1994) – Kana
• Four Rooms (1995) – Wife
• The Day After Tomorrow (2004) – Janet Tokada
• JAG (1997–1998) – Lt. Cmdr. Tracy Manetti (TV, recurring)
• 24 (2002–2003) – Sandra Abe (TV, guest role)
• Eureka (2006–2009) – Kim Anderson (TV, recurring)
• Law & Order: LA (2010–2011) – Miwako Nishizawa (TV, recurring)
• Teen Wolf (2014–2017) – Noshiko Yukimura (TV, recurring)
• Chasing Life (2014–2015) – Dr. Susan Cheng (TV, recurring)
• The Man in the High Castle (2016–2018) – Tamiko Watanabe (TV, recurring)
• The Good Doctor (2017–2023) – Allegra Aoki (TV, recurring)
• Ultraman Z (2020) – Voice role
• Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) – Commander Klyden (TV, recurring)

Net Worth

Tamlyn Naomi Tomita has an estimated net worth of $3 million USD.

Her wealth is primarily derived from her extensive acting career in films like The Karate Kid Part II and The Joy Luck Club, as well as recurring roles in television series such as Teen Wolf, The Good Doctor, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.