Jennifer Tilly

Jennifer Ellen Chan, better known as Jennifer Tilly, was born on September 16, 1958, in Harbor City, California, USA. She is an American-Canadian actress and professional poker player, with over $1 million in career earnings from poker. Since 2004, she has been in a relationship with poker player Phil Laak.

Tilly, a glamorous actress who has achieved success in Hollywood on both the big and small screens, received an Academy Award nomination for her role in Bullets Over Broadway. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the first Hollywood celebrity to win a World Series of Poker bracelet and was previously married to “The Simpsons” writer/producer Sam Simon from 1984 to 1991.

Jennifer Tilly: Early Life

Born in Harbor City, Los Angeles, Jennifer Tilly grew up with her sister Meg Tilly on Texada Island, British Columbia. Raised by her mother Patricia (maiden name Tilly) and stepfather John Ward, her father, Harry Chan, sold used cars. Her mother, a schoolteacher and stage actress, encouraged her to pursue acting from a young age. During high school, Jennifer actively participated in various theatrical productions and later obtained a bachelor’s degree in theater from Stephen’s College in Missouri.

She began her acting career with a recurring guest role as Gina Srignoli on the acclaimed television series Hill Street Blues, which aired from 1981 to 1987. Her portrayal of a mobster’s unfaithful widow caught the attention of Hollywood casting directors, leading to her breakthrough.

Following this, she appeared as Candi Pearson in the fourth season of Cheers and the eleventh season of Frasier before landing her first film role as a waitress in The Fabulous Baker Boys. The rest, as they say, is history. Additionally, she also voices Bonnie Swanson on Family Guy.

From Acting to Poker: Jennifer Tilly’s Journey

Jennifer Tilly got into poker because of her acting job. She was in a comedy movie about gambling in 1989 called “let It Ride“, which got her curious about playing poker. After filming, she started playing poker with friends and her husband at home, who was a writer for The Simpsons.

In 2003, she started playing in real poker tournaments. Her boyfriend, Phil “The Unabomber” Laak, whom she met at a tournament, encouraged her to play competitively.

The Story of Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly

Over 15 years ago, Jennifer attended the 2004 WPT Celebrity Invitational at Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. The event mixed poker with charity, offering a chance to make friends with poker players for occasional live games. However, she didn’t find a poker buddy there. Instead, she met Phil Laak, who later became her boyfriend.

At that time, Phil was famous as the Unabomber because he wore a hoodie and sunglasses while playing poker. He was already a well-known poker pro, thanks to numerous TV appearances during the poker boom. He started helping Tilly with her game, and their relationship turned romantic. They remain a couple to this day.

Jennifer Tilly’s Poker Achievements

Transitioning her career to focus primarily on poker, Jennifer Tilly has become a prominent figure in both national and international poker tournaments and cash games. Her achievements include winning the 2005 WSOP Ladies Championship, securing a bracelet and $158,625 in the $1,000 Ladies’ No-Limit Texas Hold’em event, surpassing 600 other players. She also emerged victorious at the third World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament at the Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, California, on September 1, 2005.

Furthermore, Tilly has made notable appearances on various highly-rated poker TV shows such as the Poker Royale series on the Game Show Network (GSN), the third season of Poker Superstars Invitational on Fox Sports News (FSN), the 2006 season of Celebrity Poker Showdown on Bravo, and the iconic Poker After Dark on NBC.

Accumulating $992,501 in career tournament earnings, Jennifer Tilly’s exceptional skills at the felt led to her nomination for the PokerListings Spirit of Poker Living Legend award in 2014.

Conclusion

Jennifer Tilly, or Jennifer Ellen Chan, has enjoyed a multifaceted career spanning Hollywood acting and professional poker. Born in Harbor City, California, she achieved recognition in the entertainment industry, earning an Academy Award nomination for her role in Bullets Over Broadway. Tilly’s venture into the world of poker was sparked by her involvement in a gambling-themed movie, ultimately leading her to become a celebrated figure in the poker community.

Her partnership with fellow poker player Phil Laak blossomed from a chance meeting at a tournament to a lasting relationship. Tilly’s poker journey is marked by notable victories, including the World Series of Poker Ladies Championship and the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament. Transitioning from acting to poker, she has become a prominent presence in both industries, captivating audiences with her talent and humor. With over $1 million in tournament earnings and a string of memorable appearances on poker TV shows, Jennifer Tilly continues to enchant fans worldwide with her charisma and dedication to the game.