Maya Erskine is a talented and versatile actress, writer, and comedian who has gained popularity for her roles in shows like Man Seeking Woman, Insecure, and PEN15. She is also known for her appearances in movies like Wine Country, Plus One, and Scoob!.
But what is her ethnic and racial background? Where do her parents come from? And how does her identity influence her work and life? In this article, we will explore these questions and more, as we delve into the fascinating story of Maya.
Maya Erskine’s Ethnicity and Race
Maya Erskine was born on May 7, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of Peter Erskine and Mutsuko Nigatawa. Her father is an American jazz drummer from New Jersey, who has played with artists like Steely Dan, Weather Report, and Diana Krall. Her mother is Japanese, from Tokyo, and works as a translator and interpreter. Maya is therefore of mixed Japanese and American ancestry, or as she calls herself, “Jamerican”.
Maya identifies as both Asian and white, and embraces her dual heritage. She has said that growing up, she felt like an outsider in both cultures, and struggled to fit in. She faced racism and bullying from both sides, and often felt ashamed of her appearance and background. She said, “I was always trying to hide my Asian-ness and trying to be more white, or trying to be more Asian and trying to fit in with the Asian crowd. I never felt like I belonged anywhere.”
However, as she grew older, she learned to appreciate and celebrate her identity, and use it as a source of strength and creativity. She said, “I think it’s a beautiful thing to be mixed. I think it’s a beautiful thing to have different cultures and different perspectives. I think it makes you a more empathetic person, and a more open-minded person. And I think it makes you a better artist, because you can draw from so many different experiences and stories.”
| Name | Maya Erskine |
|---|---|
| Born | May 7, 1987 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, writer |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Partner | Michael Angarano (2019–present) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parents | Peter Erskine (father), Mutsuko Nigatawa (mother) |
| Education | New York University (BFA) |
Parents Background
Maya Erskine’s parents, Peter Erskine and Mutsuko Nigatawa, met in Japan, where Peter was touring with the jazz fusion band Weather Report. They fell in love and got married, and moved to Los Angeles, where they raised Maya and her younger brother, Aaron.
Peter Erskine is a renowned and respected musician, who has won two Grammy Awards and been nominated for nine more. He has played with some of the most influential and legendary artists in jazz, rock, pop, and classical music, such as Joni Mitchell, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Yo-Yo Ma. He is also a composer, educator, and author, who has written several books on drumming and music. He is currently a professor of practice at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.
Mutsuko Nigatawa is a professional translator and interpreter, who specializes in Japanese and English languages. She has worked for various organizations and institutions, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is also an avid reader, traveler, and gardener, who enjoys learning new things and exploring new places. She is very supportive and proud of her children’s achievements, and often attends their events and shows. She also plays the role of Maya’s mother on PEN15, the comedy series that Maya co-created and stars in.
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Career Highlights
Maya has had a remarkable and diverse career in the entertainment industry, spanning various genres and mediums. She started acting at a young age, and attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where she studied theater. She then went to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she majored in experimental theater. She also met her best friend and collaborator, Anna Konkle, while studying abroad in Amsterdam.
After graduating from college, Maya Erskine moved back to Los Angeles, where she pursued her acting career. She landed her first major role in 2013, as Mikki, a hacker and programmer, in the Amazon comedy series Betas. She then appeared in several other shows, such as Hart of Dixie, Man Seeking Woman, Insecure, and Son of Zorn. She also starred in several movies, such as Frankenstein, 6 Balloons, When Jeff Tried to Save the World, and Wine Country.
However, her breakthrough role came in 2019, when she co-created, co-wrote, and co-starred in PEN15, a Hulu original comedy series, with Anna Konkle. The show is based on their own experiences as awkward and insecure teenagers in the early 2000s, and features them playing fictional versions of their 13-year-old selves, alongside actual adolescent actors.
The show has received critical acclaim and rave reviews, and has been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards, for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series. The show has also been praised for its honest and hilarious portrayal of adolescence, female friendship, and Asian American identity.
Maya has also ventured into voice acting, lending her voice to animated shows and movies, such as Stone Quackers, Scoob!, Crossing Swords, and DC League of Super-Pets. She is also set to star in the upcoming Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith, based on the 2005 movie of the same name, alongside Donald Glover. She will also appear in the upcoming movie Sacramento, directed by Gia Coppola.
Maya Erskine is a talented and versatile actress, writer, and comedian, who has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. She is of mixed Japanese and American ancestry, and has faced challenges and opportunities because of her identity. She is the daughter of Peter Erskine and Mutsuko Nigatawa, who are both accomplished and supportive of their children. She has starred in several shows and movies, such as Man Seeking Woman, Insecure, Wine Country, and Plus One.
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