Birthdate - Sept. 9, 1974, in Los Angeles (her real name: Jennifer Trinidad Fernando).

At age 11, started performing with the touring company Kids of the Century.

1986 - Began taking singing lessons from Elisabeth Howard of Vocal Power.

Started taking acting lessons at Diane Hill-Hardin's Young Actors Space. (As of now, I don't have a date for when Jennie started attending there)

Won first place (1990 and 1991) in the musical theatre division at the Southwestern Youth Musical Festival.

1992 - Initially auditioned for the role of "Tiffani" in California Dreams.

January 1993 - At age 18, started performing in the lead role of Kim in the Chicago stage production (1st National Touring Company) of Miss Saigon.

Sept. 11, 1993 - Joined cast of the California Dreams as "Sam," an exchange student from Hong Kong. Coincidentally, this was one day shy of the anniversary of the airing of the show's first episode (in Jennie could have been a part of). The show lasted until August of 1997.

October 1998 - Received the starring role (as an alternate to Fran de Leon) in the one-woman play Faces of America. The play's theme is about Amreica's diversity, and Jennie assumes the role of many characters that come from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities. In addition to the play, she also became part of an all-girl pop/rock band called "Zoom."

1999 - Casted in the Digital Entertainment Network (DEN) production Fear of a Punk Planet, which is about four kids from different sides of the punk scene who join forces to save their favorite club (The name of her character is "Jenny Tran"). The show is unique, for it can only be seen on the Internet.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - She portrayed a student working on a term paper.

Wild Palms (ABC-TV miniseries [1993]) - Is available for rent at Blockbuster Video. However, you will be hard-pressed to find her in it (I didn't notice her; she must have had a VERY small part). BTW, the plot is really weird.

Little Shop (TV cartoon) - Based on the movie Little Shop of Horrors

Country Estates (TV movie)

Dish (movie)

Family Matters (ABC-TV sitcom) - Played the role of "Kimberly," one of the bitchy sorority girls who tried to make fun of Urkel. Definitely a departure from her role on the "Dreams." Still, I must admit, she was great.

Star Search

California Dreams

Trojan War (aka "Rescue Me") (movie) - Played the role of "Trish." The role is very similar to the one she played in "Family Matters," with the only difference being she didn't have a speaking part. Great cinematography; in playing the role, Jennie kind of reminds me of another gorgegous filipina, the lovely Tia Carrere. My favorite scene was when she slapped a couple of geeky guys who were hitting on her at a party; it was pretty funny.

The Nanny (CBS-TV sitcom) - Played the role of "Mai-Ling."

Fear of a Punk Planet (internet production)

From Trouble (British TV network):

Jennie loves singing and performing like Sam does and loves shopping anytime, anywhere. She has a passion for acting but if it doesn't work out she would love to become a zoologist. Jennie plans to finish college and get a degree within the next five years. Education is extremely important to her and professionally, she is just "going with the flow of where my talents take me". She really enjoys working on California Dreams but hopes one day to get into feature films.

From Flips on TV, Radio, & Print:

Jennifer Kwan - ex-Chicago Kim in Miss Saigon, now a mainstay in the teen-NBC sitcom California Dreams. She plays an exchange student from Hongkong to make her role 'more exotic' I guess. What's the matter, NBC, being Filipina is not exotic enough for you? [Note: On this point, I must agree that it shouldn't have made a difference in where she was from. I guess Peter Engel (Productions) has a liking towards China (or at least Hong Kong)].

From the Miss Saigon Page:

She has done many commercials and modeling jobs and has sung in various Hollywood nightclubs. Jennie is of Filipino-Chinese-Spanish-German ancestry.

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Jennie credits her vocal coach, Elisabeth Howard (of Vocal Power) and her acting teachers, David Wells and Sally Piper, for having belief in her and nurturing her talents. She wants to express her thanks to her parents, Jorge and Estrella for inspiring her to pursue her love of performing. Finally, Jennie would like to say thanks to Jessica, Tim and all her friends.

From NBC's California Dreams Web site:

When she is away from the set, Kwan enjoys going to the beach, rollerblading, hiking, shopping and spending time with friends. She currently lives in Mission Hills with her family and two pets: Coco (dog) and Dizzy (cat).