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Julia Nickson

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Julia Nickson
Nickson on the set of Around the World in 80 Days (1989)
Other namesJulia Nickson-Soul
OccupationActress
Years active1982–2025[1]
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1987; div. 1993)​
ChildrenChina Soul

Julia Nickson is an American actress. She first came to the attention of audiences in the United States in the Sylvester Stallone film Rambo: First Blood Part II. She appeared in the 2004 film Ethan Mao and in the 2008 independent film Half-Life.

Early years

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Nickson is the daughter of a British father and a Chinese mother.[2] After her father's death in an automobile accident when she was 6, Nickson and her mother had to live in a house with three more families. Her grandmother often watched Chinese operas on television, and that kindled Nickson's interest in performing.[3] When she was 17 she left Singapore to study at the University of Hawaii.[4] Her successful audition for a play while she was there led to a shift in interest from business administration to drama. She left the university after two years to work as a model, study acting, and perform in community theater productions.[3]

Career

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While attending the University of Hawaiʻi, Nickson was a model in Honolulu. There she appeared in her first play, The Winter's Tale. After acting classes, community theater, and roles on Magnum, P.I., she appeared as the female lead in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985).[5][6] She appeared with Chuck Norris in Sidekicks (1992).

Her other film appearances have included roles in Glitch! (1988), China Cry (1991), K2 (1992), Double Dragon (1994), White Tiger (1996), Devil in the Flesh (1998), Ethan Mao (2004), Half-Life (2008), Dim Sum Funeral (2008), and One Kine Day (2011).

Nickson guest starred in the final episode of seaQuest 2032 as Lieutenant Commander Heiko Kimura, a role that would have been a main character had the series continued, and in two Star Trek series: The Next Generation episode "The Arsenal of Freedom" as Enterprise-D crewmember Ensign Lian T'su, and the Deep Space Nine episode "Paradise" as Cassandra, a villager who attempts to seduce Commander Benjamin Sisko. She played Catherine Sakai, Commander Jeffrey Sinclair's love-interest, in the first season of Babylon 5.

She had a recurring role as Dr. Susan Lee on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger (reuniting her with Chuck Norris), and as Princess Aouda in the 1989 miniseries version of Around the World in 80 Days opposite Pierce Brosnan and Eric Idle. She had a supporting role in the television version of the novel Noble House, again opposite Brosnan.[7]

Julia retired for personal reasons on March 29, 2025[1]

Personal life

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Nickson was married to actor/singer David Soul from 1987 to 1993. They have one daughter, China Soul, a singer/songwriter.[8]

She was a practising Scientologist, having joined the Church of Scientology in 1996. She credited the organization with helping to improve her health.[9]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1985 Rambo: First Blood Part II Co Bao
1987 Tian guan ci fu Julia
1988 Glitch! Michelle Wong
1988 Chiari di luna Yumi
1990 China Cry Sung Neng Yee
1991 K2 Cindy
1992 Sidekicks Noreen Chan
1993 Amityville: A New Generation Suki Direct-to-video
1993 Bei mei
1994 Double Dragon Satori Imada
1996 White Tiger Jade
1998 Devil in the Flesh Anna Nakashi Direct-to-video
1999 Life Tastes Good The Woman
2004 Skin Trade The Lady Ping Short film
2004 Ethan Mao Sarah Mao
2005 Final Approach Hanna Reitsch Direct-to-video
2007 Blizhniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter Detective Uncredited
2008 Half-Life Saura Wu
2008 Dim Sum Funeral Elizabeth
2008 Lost Warrior: Left Behind Police Sergeant Direct-to-video
2011 One Kine Day Suzie
2016 Beyond the Game Police Sergeant
2016 The Unbidden Kat
2018 Ready Player One JN / Commuter Uncredited

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1982–1983 Magnum, P.I. Carla / Lani 2 episodes
1985 Airwolf Minh Van McBride Episode: "Half-Pint"
1987 Harry's Hong Kong Mei Ling Television film
1987 Crime Story Lizard Woman Episode: "Love Hurts"
1988 Noble House Orlanda Ramos Television miniseries
1988 Star Trek: The Next Generation Ensign Lian T'Su Episode: "The Arsenal of Freedom"
1989 Around the World in 80 Days Princess Aouda Television miniseries
1989 Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders Kaylie Television film
1990 The Girl Who Came Between Them Nhung Television film
1991 Silverfox Shimoi Chen Television film
1992 The Fifth Corner 5 episodes
1993 Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Connie Episode: "Illusion"
1993 Dark Justice 2 episodes
1993 South of Sunset Jade Episode: "Custody"
1994 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Cassandra Episode: "Paradise"
1994 Babylon 5 Catherine Sakai 3 episodes
1994–1995 One West Waikiki Laura Greystone 2 episodes
1995 Chicago Hope Leigh Sun Episode: "A Coupla Stiffs"
1995 The Marshal Lilly Chin Episode: "Love Is Strange"
1996 SeaQuest 2032 Lieutenant Commander Heiko Kimura Episode: "Weapons of War"
1996–1998 Walker, Texas Ranger Dr. Susan Lee 3 episodes
1999 The Wild Thornberrys Malay Wallah / Kid / Malay Woman / Wallah (voice) 2 episodes
1999 L.A. Heat Qiu Donnolly Episode: "Little Saigon"
1999 The Young and the Restless Ellen Episode: #1.6629
1999–2001 Nash Bridges Mindy / Denise Minato 2 episodes
2000 JAG Lynne Kennedy Episode: "JAG TV"
2001 The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie Villager / Forest Animal / Donnie's Mother (voice) Television film
2001 Love Bytes Rambo
2002 The Division Jasmine Episode: "Brave New World"
2002 Power Rangers Wild Force Mrs. Enrile Episode: "A Father's Footsteps"
2003 Days of Our Lives Real Estate Agent Episode: #1.9543
2008 Family Man Janet Loveland Television film
2009 Castle Mrs. Lee Episode: "Hedge Fund Homeboys"
2010 Seven Days Anita Television film
2010 Rex Is Not Your Lawyer Judge Lauren Arvale Episode: "Pilot"
2016 Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce Episode: "Rule #14: No Means... No"

References

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  1. ^ a b Nickson, Julia (29 March 2025). "I have retired for personal reasons. I grew up in Singapore where most of our moms didn't have careers. Working over 40 years in the US has been an extraordinary journey with many ups and downs. Feeling extraordinarily grateful for so many talented actors I have had the opportunity to be with on the screen. Forever grateful ❤️ #PeacefulDays #HappyMemories #LoveAlways 😘". Instagram.com. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  2. ^ Crockett, Lane (16 April 1989). "'Around the World' in six hours". Florida Today. Florida, Cocoa. Gannett News Service. p. 15. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  3. ^ a b Hilton, Pat (24 February 1988). "From 'Rambo' gloom to miniseries glory". USA Today. Virginia, McLean. p. 8. Retrieved 29 April 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "80 dazed days: Julia Nickson keeps 'em in the air". El Paso Herald-Post. United Media Enterprises. 15 April 1989. p. 46. Retrieved 29 April 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Kempley, Rita (24 May 1985). "'Rambo': Pumping Iron, Spraying Blood". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  6. ^ The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California 2006 Honorees Archived 1 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine: A Salute to Chinese American Actors
  7. ^ Broeske, Pat H. (6 September 1987). "RAMBETTE NO MORE". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Biography". China Soul: OFFICIAL WEBSITE. Archived from the original on 16 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Scientology Success – Julia Nickson a Scientologist". Scientology Success. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
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