Levy Tran, a talented actress who initially began her career as a model, is now best known for her role as Desiree “Desi” Nguyen on MacGyver. Her character has evolved from a recurring role in Season 3 to a main cast member in Season 4. Here are 10 fascinating facts about Levy Tran that you might not know:
1. A Proud Vietnamese-American
Levy Tran is a Vietnamese-American, as indicated by her family name. Tran is a very common Vietnamese name, equivalent to the Mandarin Chinese Chen and the Korean Jin. In fact, it is the second most popular Vietnamese family name, surpassed only by Nguyen.
2. Born and Raised in San Jose, CA
Tran’s hometown is San Jose, California. Interestingly, there are several cities named San Jose throughout the Americas, influenced by Spanish culture. The name San Jose refers to Saint Joseph, who was married to Jesus’s mother, Mary. Saint Joseph is considered a model for fathers and is the special patron of the Catholic Church, workers, and immigrants.
3. An Aries Through and Through
Born on April 8, Tran’s zodiac sign is Aries. In mythology, Aries represents Chrysomallos, a winged ram with golden wool. Aries is a fire sign, and those born under it are known for being bold, brash, and outspoken.
4. A Food Lover with Diverse Tastes
Tran enjoys a wide variety of foods, including pasta, pizza, rare steak, sushi, sandwiches, Mexican cuisine, and Vietnamese noodles.
5. A Fan of Jameson Whiskey
When it comes to beverages, Tran prefers Jameson, the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world. Jameson is a blended whiskey, now produced in the Midleton distilleries complex outside of Cork, Ireland.
6. Enjoys Both Gilmore Girls and Game of Thrones
Tran has expressed her love for both Gilmore Girls and Game of Thrones. The former is a comedy-drama centered on a single mother and her teenage daughter, while the latter is a fantasy series based on the book series A Song of Ice and Fire.
7. Worked as an Embalmer Before Acting
Before finding success in acting, Tran worked as an embalmer. She transitioned into modeling by coincidence when a friend asked her to participate in a photoshoot for a clothing company.
8. Tattoo Enthusiast, but No Piercings
Tran is known for her tattoos. Although she has had many piercings in the past, she no longer wears any, not even earrings.
9. Appeared in The First Purge
In 2018, Tran had a role in the action horror movie The First Purge, the fourth installment in the Purge franchise. The film explores the origins of the titular event and reveals that most people were not initially interested in committing serious crimes during the Purge.
10. Upcoming Role in Fallen Lands
Tran has a role in the upcoming movie Fallen Lands, which is currently in pre-production. The film follows a lone survivor in a post-apocalyptic world who embarks on a dangerous journey to reclaim something that remains of his family. His priorities are challenged when he meets a woman and encounters a dangerous leader exploiting his followers.
