Danh Monica (born 4 November 1986) is a Cambodian-born actress, dancer and entrepreneur based in Australia.
Classically trained in Cambodian ballet and opera, Monica started her career as a child actor, starring in ''
The Snake King's Child'' (2001).
She was one of the first television soap opera stars in Cambodia.
Early life
Monica's mother, Men Chennary, was a court dancer when the
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge is the name that was popularly given to members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), and by extension to Democratic Kampuchea, which ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. The name was coined in the 1960s by Norodom Sihano ...
seized power, and later became a teacher at the dance academy.
At the age of 8, Monica started studying classical Cambodian dance and opera at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
She and her mother sometimes performed, side by side, for King
Norodom Sihanouk
Norodom Sihanouk (; 31 October 192215 October 2012) was a member of the House of Norodom, Cambodian royal house who led the country as Monarchy of Cambodia, King, List of heads of state of Cambodia, Chief of State and Prime Minister of Cambodi ...
.
At the age of 13, Monica was cast in her debut film, ''
The Snake King's Child''.
According to director Fai Sam Ang, she was chosen for the starring role for her beauty, acting skill, and calm demeanor around snakes.
Career
In the 2000s, Danh Monica starred in a large number of films, including ''
Tum Teav
''Tum Teav'' ( ; meaning "Tum and Teav") is a mid-19th century Cambodian romantic tragedy folk tale. It is originally based on a poem and is considered the "Cambodian Romeo and Juliet" and has been a compulsory part of the Cambodian secondary na ...
'' (2003) directed by Fai Sam Ang.
Monica featured as Teav, a role which her mother had performed in stage productions throughout the 1960s.
She later moved to Australia, where she started her own international online business.
Filmography
References
External links
Photo Gallery
{{DEFAULTSORT:Danh, Monica
Living people
1986 births
Cambodian film actresses
21st-century Cambodian actresses
People from Phnom Penh