Lisa Yamanaka

Lisa Jai Yamanaka is a Japanese Canadian actress. She is best known as the voice of Wanda Li in The Magic School Bus, and Sherry Birkin in the 1998 video game Resident Evil 2. Her other roles include Yoko in Timothy Goes to School, and Isabelle in the Babar series. She is also credited as Lisa Boynton and Lisa Jai.

Career Yamanaka was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she stayed until 2008 until she moved to Los Angeles, California before moving back to Toronto in 2011. She attended Central Commerce Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Ontario. Yamanaka was awarded the Unsung Hero Award by the City of Toronto 2012 for her advocacy work in diversity in the mainstream media. She debuted her first theatre production in the city of Watts, California as Isela Sanchez in Lynn Manning's 'The Unrequited: A tale between two Worlds' with Cornerstone Theater and Watts Village Theater. She has also become an advocate for disabled actors, having developed rheumatoid arthritis. As of 2018, Yamanaka focuses her time on theatre, independent films, and advocacy. She is also a published poet and spoken-word artist, having performed at the inaugural event Poetic Fashion. She has also performed spoken word in Los Angeles, New York, and Swaziland.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1989 Babar: The Movie Isabelle (voice) 1992 This Is My Life Shawn 1994 Mirabelle and Me Gwendolyn (voice) Television film; animated sequences only 1995 Nilus the Sandman: The First Day Girl Television film 1996 Balance of Power Jasmine Matsumoto 2010 Creed Asia 2013 Sisters Crystal Short film 2014 The Window News Anchor 2014 Lost Angels Louise 2014 Runaway Dream Linn Short film

Television Year Title Role Notes 1988 My Secret Identity Megan Episode: "You've Got a Friend" 1989–1991 Babar Flora (1989–1990), Isabelle (1991) (voice) 65 episodes 1989 T. and T. Kim Episode: "Family Honour"1990 Little Rosey Nonny, Tater (voice) The Raccoons Patty (voice) Episode: "Endless Summer!" 1991 Rupert Additional Voices (voice) 13 episodes 1993 Tales from the Cryptkeeper Becky (voice) Episode: "Nature" 1994 Monster Force Additional Voices (voice) 13 episodes 1994–1997 The Magic School Bus Wanda Li (voice) 52 episodes 1995 Squawk Box Various 1995 The Neverending Story The Childlike Empress, Junior Rockbiter (voice) 13 episodes 1995 Mr. Dressup Herself (guest) 1 episode 1996–1998 Stickin' Around Ashley (voice) 1999–2002 Tweenies Fizz (voice) US version 2000 Twice in a Lifetime Georgia Episode: "Pride and Prejudice" 2000–2001 Timothy Goes to School Yoko (voice) 26 episodes 2001–2002 Medabots Erika Amazake (voice) 2001–2003 George Shrinks Ellen / Ronnie Ribnod / Winifred 5 episodes 2010–2012 Pillars of Freedom Spirit (voice) 26 episodes 2013 Trail Mix Holly Episode: "The Trail Mix Crew" 2013 Apartment Manager Lisa Episode: "Unit 4" 2017 The Magic School Bus Rides Again Mrs. Li, William Li, Caller (voice) Episode: "The Magnetic Mambo"

Video games Year Title Role Notes 1998 Resident Evil 2 Sherry Birkin 2000 Dino Crisis 2 Paula Morton