Sekiya Lavone Billman is an American actress, singer, and theater performer recognized for her contributions to stage productions and her marriage to television actor Hoon Lee. While she maintains a private personal life away from the Hollywood spotlight, her professional resume includes notable Broadway credits, national touring productions, and collaborative independent theater initiatives.
For fans researching her background, career achievements, and personal life alongside Hoon Lee, this comprehensive biography details her early life, physical attributes, family connections, professional milestones, and frequently asked questions.
Quick Bio and Personal Information
Sekiya Billman was born on April 18, 1968, in Los Angeles, California. Growing up in a culturally rich household, she developed an early interest in the performing arts. She pursued formal training at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned a degree in theater arts, establishing a solid foundation for her stage career.
| Full Name | Sekiya Lavone Billman |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 18, 1968 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 58 years old |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer, Theater Performer |
| Ethnicity | Asian-American |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
| Husband | Hoon Lee (m. October 26, 2008) |
| Parents | Larry E. Billman and Tomoko Billman |
| Sister | Saadia Billman |
Height, Age, and Physical Features
As of August 2026, Sekiya Billman is 58 years old. Born on April 18, 1968, her long-standing career spans several decades in live theater and entertainment. Unlike mainstream celebrities who frequently disclose exact physical statistics, Billman keeps her personal details private. Specific metrics regarding her exact height and weight are not documented in verified public records, allowing her professional achievements to remain the focus of her public profile.
Family Background: Parents and Sister
Sekiya Billman comes from an artistic and performance-oriented family:
- Father: Larry E. Billman, a prominent figure in entertainment history and performance archives, who passed away in 2017. His life set a lasting template of disciplined craft.
- Mother: Tomoko Billman, a talented dancer who moved to the United States from Japan in 1960 to perform in the Las Vegas production Holiday in Japan. Her bicultural roots and artistic journey heavily influenced her children.
- Sister: Saadia Billman, who followed a creative path, working as an actress and participating in independent film and theater projects.
The Billman family’s strong ties to the arts created a supportive environment that steered both Sekiya and her sister toward performance careers.
Theatrical Career and Major Achievements
Sekiya Billman’s professional identity is deeply rooted in live theatrical performance. She chose stage discipline over constant Hollywood exposure, building a respectable portfolio in New York and regional theater.
Miss Saigon and Broadway Success
One of Billman’s most notable career highlights is her involvement with the Broadway musical Miss Saigon. She performed in the production as Yvette, a bar girl character, and carried understudy responsibilities for principal roles such as Ellen and Gigi. Her ability to understudy major characters demonstrated vocal stamina, versatility, and theatrical reliability. She also toured extensively with the production during its First National Tour beginning in 1992.
Co-Founding Mr. Miyagi’s Theatre Company
Seeking a platform for authentic storytelling, Billman teamed up with fellow Asian-American actors-including her future husband Hoon Lee, Cindy Cheung, Peter Kim, Rodney To, and Paul Juhn-to establish Mr. Miyagi’s Theatre Company. Frustrated by stereotypical casting limitations, the group set out to write and produce their own original work.
Their standout production, a comedy show titled Sides: The Fear is Real, poked fun at the anxiety-inducing audition process actors face. Co-written and performed by Billman, the show won the Best Ensemble Award at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2003 and enjoyed a successful run Off-Broadway, earning critical praise for Billman’s comic timing.
Film and Other Notable Credits
In addition to her stage work, Billman has made selected appearances on screen:
- Liberty Heights (1999): Directed by Barry Levinson, Billman appeared in this coming-of-age drama in a role credited as the Halloween character.
- Shanghai Moon: Performed in Charles Busch’s theatrical melodrama in the role of Ma Li.
- Voice Work: Contributed voice acting to video games, including pedestrian vocal work in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
- Digital Revival: During the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, she reunited with Mr. Miyagi’s Theatre Company via Zoom to perform digital adaptations of their comedic sketches.
Relationship, Marriage, and Husband Hoon Lee
Sekiya Billman is married to American actor Hoon Lee, recognized for his television roles, including Job in the action series Banshee, Wang Chao in the martial arts drama Warrior, and voicing Master Splinter in animated adaptations.
The couple first met in 2001 while performing together in the musical production Making Tracks in Taipei, Taiwan. Bonded by their shared experiences as Asian-American actors navigating a demanding industry, they developed a friendship that blossomed into romance. After dating for several years, Billman and Lee married on October 26, 2008.
The couple has maintained an enduring partnership spanning over two decades. Hoon Lee has frequently credited his wife as his most trusted confidante and greatest supporter, relying on her honest feedback and script collaboration throughout his career.
Net Worth and Financial Standing
There is no reliably verified figure for Sekiya Billman’s net worth. While various celebrity websites publish speculative financial estimates, these figures lack authoritative confirmation. Billman’s income stems from decades of professional theater work, Broadway understudy contracts, national tours, and independent stage collaborations. Her choice to keep her financial and private affairs out of the tabloids reflects her preference for artistic integrity over commercial notoriety.
Social Media Presence
Unlike many contemporary performers who maintain public profiles across Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, Sekiya Billman maintains a private lifestyle. She does not operate public social media accounts, choosing to protect her family life with Hoon Lee from unnecessary media scrutiny and to let her theater work speak for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sekiya Billman
1. Who is Sekiya Billman?
Sekiya Billman is an American actress, singer, and theater performer best known for her work on Broadway in Miss Saigon and as the wife of actor Hoon Lee.
2. When was Sekiya Billman born and how old is she?
She was born on April 18, 1968, in Los Angeles, California. As of August 2026, she is 58 years old.
3. Who are Sekiya Billman’s parents and does she have siblings?
Her parents are Larry E. Billman and dancer Tomoko Billman. She has a sister named Saadia Billman, who is also involved in the entertainment industry.
4. When did Sekiya Billman marry Hoon Lee?
Sekiya Billman married Hoon Lee on October 26, 2008, after meeting in 2001 while working on the musical Making Tracks in Taiwan.
5. What are Sekiya Billman’s major career achievements?
Her major achievements include performing in the Broadway production and national tour of Miss Saigon, co-founding Mr. Miyagi’s Theatre Company, and co-writing the award-winning Off-Broadway comedy Sides: The Fear is Real.
6. What is Sekiya Billman’s net worth?
There is no officially verified figure or reliable estimate for her net worth, as she keeps her personal finances private.
