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Julia Chan Ney worth, Age, Height, Family & More [2026]

Last updated on: January 3, 2026

Julia Chan is a British-born actress best known for her work in television, where she built a quiet but steady reputation for thoughtful, emotionally grounded performances. Born in Cheshire, England, and raised across different cultures, she brings a natural ease and global sensibility to the screen. Julia first stepped into acting through independent projects before gradually moving into more visible television roles, where audiences began to notice her calm presence and expressive acting style.

She gained wider recognition for her role as Dr. Emily Starling in the police drama Rookie Blue, a performance that helped establish her as a reliable and versatile actress. Over the years, Julia Chan has balanced mainstream TV appearances with selective projects, choosing roles that suit her range rather than chasing constant visibility.

As of January 2026, Julia Chan is 42 years and 7 months old. Her estimated net worth is $2 million, and he is 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm or 1.68 m) tall.


Quick Facts

Fact Details
Full Name Julia Catherine W. S. Chan
Nickname Jules
Date of Birth May 9, 1983
Age 42 (as of late 2025/early 2026)
Zodiac Sign Taurus
Birthplace Stockport, Cheshire, England
Nationality British, Canadian
Ethnicity / Race Mixed (Chinese Father, Canadian-Scottish Mother)
Religion Not publicly disclosed
Profession Actress, Television Host
Best Known For Dr. Maggie Lin in Saving Hope, Pepper Smith in Katy Keene
Years Active 2008 – Present
Residence Los Angeles, California

Bio / Wiki

Early Identity Summary:
For much of her early career, you might have recognized her as Julia Taylor Ross. She used this stage name—a combination of her mother’s maiden name and her stepfather’s surname—before deciding to reclaim her father’s surname, Chan, around 2017. This shift was a personal declaration of her heritage and a desire to honor her Chinese roots publicly.

Career Summary:
Julia’s career is a blend of prestigious theater training and mainstream television success. She broke out as a series regular on the hit medical drama Saving Hope (2012–2017), co-hosted The Great Canadian Baking Show alongside Dan Levy, and starred in The CW’s Riverdale spinoff, Katy Keene. More recently, she has taken on grittier roles in Netflix’s Archive 81 and the stage play Pre-Existing Condition (2024).


Early Life & Background

  • Childhood: Born in Cheshire, England, Julia grew up in a household that blended East and West. She spent her formative years moving between the UK and Hong Kong, giving her a global perspective from a young age.

  • Family Background: Her father, Roy Chan, is a Hong Kong-based solicitor of Chinese heritage. Her mother, Lorna, is a Canadian ballerina of Scottish descent. This artistic and intellectual mix heavily influenced Julia’s path.

  • Cultural Roots: Julia has often spoken about the “in-between” nature of being mixed-race. Reclaiming “Chan” as her professional name was a way to stop hiding the “Asian half” of her identity that she felt was often erased in casting rooms.


Education & Training

Julia didn’t just stumble into acting; she studied it with academic rigor.

  • Schooling: She attended schools in the UK before moving to the US for higher education.

  • Harvard University: You might be surprised to learn she is an Ivy Leaguer. Julia graduated from Harvard with a Bachelor of Arts in History of Art and Architecture. During her time there, she was active in the American Repertory Theater.

  • The New School for Drama: After Harvard, she moved to New York City to earn her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting, graduating in 2010.

  • University College London: She also spent time studying at this prestigious institution before heading to the US.


Career Beginnings

  • Entry into Acting: Fresh out of drama school in 2010, she landed a role in the police drama Rookie Blue.

  • Early Struggles: Like many actors, she balanced auditions with the need to establish an identity. Early on, she was often cast in “ethnically ambiguous” roles, which contributed to her initial use of the name “Taylor Ross.”

  • First Professional Opportunities: Her first major film appearance came quickly in the 2011 horror film Silent House, starring alongside Elizabeth Olsen. This proved she could hold her own in intense, dramatic settings.


Career Milestones

  • Debut: Rookie Blue (2010) – TV Debut.

  • Film Debut: Silent House (2011) – Played the character Sophia.

  • Breakthrough Role: Dr. Maggie Lin in Saving Hope. She played this role for five seasons (79 episodes), becoming a fan favorite for her portrayal of the smart, sometimes frazzled, but lovable resident doctor.

  • Career Impact: Her role in Katy Keene (2020) as Pepper Smith allowed her to showcase a fashion-forward, comedic side, proving her versatility beyond medical dramas.


Filmography

Television Series:

  • Ripple (2025/2026) – Upcoming/Recent Netflix Series

  • Brilliant Minds (2024) – Guest/Recurring role

  • Archive 81 (2022) – Anabelle Cho

  • Katy Keene (2020) – Pepper Smith (Main Cast)

  • The Great Canadian Baking Show (2017–2018) – Co-Host (Seasons 1-2)

  • Saving Hope (2012–2017) – Dr. Maggie Lin (Main Cast)

  • Gotham (2016) – Karen Jennings

Movies:

  • A Kid Like Jake (2018) – Michelle

  • Ava’s Possessions (2015) – Pimp

  • Missed Connections (2012) – Yoga Zoe

  • Silent House (2011) – Sophia

Web Series / Voices:

  • BoJack Horseman (2019) – Pickles Aplenty (Voice)


Acting Style & On-Screen Presence

  • Strengths: Julia excels at playing intelligent, articulate women who often hide vulnerability behind a sharp wit. She has a natural “best friend” energy—warm but honest.

  • Role Types: She oscillates between high-fashion, confident characters (like Pepper in Katy Keene) and grounded, intellectual professionals (like Maggie in Saving Hope).

  • Versatility: Her ability to switch from the lighthearted hosting duties of a baking show to the psychological horror of Archive 81 demonstrates massive range.


Awards & Recognition

  • Nominations:

    • Canadian Screen Awards: Nominated for Best Host in a Variety or Reality/Competition Program or Series (shared with Dan Levy) for The Great Canadian Baking Show.

  • Awards Won: While she hasn’t swept the major acting awards yet, her hosting stint was critically acclaimed, and she is widely respected in the Canadian and American industry circles.


Net Worth 2026

Julia Chan Net Worth

As of January 2026, it’s estimated that Julia Chan has a net worth of about $2 million.

Julia Chan’s cashflow looks like what you’d expect from a steady TV actor who also hosts: primary earnings come from acting (series regular and recurring TV roles), hosting gigs, occasional film work, and small but real streams like residuals, sponsored social posts, and paid appearances. She built steady credits on shows such as Rookie Blue, Saving Hope, and has experience hosting, which changes the mix from “only acting” to “actor + presenter” income. That matters because hosting and steady series work tend to produce the most predictable paychecks — even if they’re not headline-making millions.

Numbers are never exact unless a contract is public. Using industry benchmarks for Canadian/recurring TV work, conservative per-episode ranges, plus hosting fees and likely residuals, a reasonable estimate of her lifetime gross earnings (across acting, hosting, side deals) sits comfortably in a $800k–$3M band. Net worth aggregators place her in the low-millions zone; a practical midpoint estimate is about $1.5M–$2M, give or take. Why the wide range? Because Canadian productions pay less than major US shows, residuals are variable, and endorsement income depends on how often she monetizes her social reach.


Personal Life

  • Lifestyle Overview: Julia keeps a relatively low profile in Los Angeles. She is known among friends for being deeply loyal and supportive, often shouting out her former co-stars like Dan Levy and Lucy Hale on social media.

  • Privacy Approach: She is private but honest. She didn’t announce her pregnancy or new relationship immediately to the press, preferring to share news on her own terms via Instagram.


Birth, Nationality & Identity

  • Birthplace: Stockport, Cheshire, UK.

  • Nationality: Dual British and Canadian citizenship.

  • Ethnicity: Mixed-race (Chinese/Caucasian).

  • Identity Journey: Changing her professional name back to Chan was a headline-making decision. She explained in interviews that she wanted to stop “whitewashing” herself and be proud of her father’s lineage.


Physical Appearance & Fitness

  • Height: 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m)

  • Weight: Approx. 55 kg (121 lbs) [Estimated]

  • Body Measurements: Lean, athletic build.

  • Eye Color: Dark Brown

  • Hair Color: Black (often worn in a bob or shoulder-length style)

  • Distinctive Features: High cheekbones and an expressive, warm smile.


Tattoos, Fashion & Style

  • Tattoos: None publicly visible or disclosed.

  • Fashion Sense: Julia has a quirky, high-fashion sense of style. She loves bold colors, oversized silhouettes, and platforms. She has described her style as “whimsical” and admits to loving the costume process for her characters.

  • Public Image: Elegant but approachable. She often wears vintage pieces mixed with modern designer wear.


Family

Husband

Erik Ratensperger (2011—2019) (Divorced)

Julia Chan with ex-husband Erik Ratensperger image

Father

Roy Chan

Mother

Lorna Ross

Julia Chan with her mother Lorna Ross
Julia with her mother Lorna Ross

Siblings

Jeremy Chan (Brother)

Julia Chan's brother Jeremy Chan

Children

Henry (Son)

Julia Chan son Henry

Relationship & More

Marital Status

In a relationship with Toby Burns

Marriage Date

21 January 2011

Boyfriend and Dating history

Toby Burns (2020—Present)

Julia Chan with her boyfriend Tobias Burns

Erik Ratensperger (2011—2019)

Julia Chan with ex-husband Erik Ratensperger

Lifestyle & Habits

  • Food Habits: As a former host of a baking show, she appreciates food but maintains a healthy diet. She joked during the show about the danger of eating all the contestants’ cakes!

  • Hobbies: She enjoys theater, vintage shopping, and spending time in nature.

  • Daily Routine: As a new mom, her routine revolves around her son Henry, alongside balancing auditions and filming schedules.


Assets & Lifestyle

  • House: Resides in Los Angeles, California. Her home is described as having a garden where she finds peace (she often posts photos of “blissing out” in the garden).

  • Car Collection: Not publicly disclosed; drives a practical vehicle for LA life.

  • Pets: She is a dog lover (her character in BoJack was a dog!).


Social Media Presence

  • Instagram: @juliacchan (Approx. 45K+ followers) – Most active here.

  • Twitter / X: Less active, mostly professional updates.

  • Website: None official; uses agency representation.


Lesser-Known Facts

  1. She is a Breast Cancer Survivor: In a brave admission in 2024, Julia revealed she had battled breast cancer, undergoing a double mastectomy and chemotherapy shortly after becoming a mother.

  2. Harvard Alum: She isn’t just a pretty face; she holds a degree from one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

  3. Voice Acting: She voiced Pickles Aplenty, Mr. Peanutbutter’s younger girlfriend, on the acclaimed animated series BoJack Horseman.


Media Buzz & Controversies

  • No Scandals: Julia has managed to keep her reputation pristine.

  • The Name Change: The only “buzz” she generated was positive discussion regarding her decision to switch from “Julia Taylor Ross” to “Julia Chan,” which sparked conversations about representation and whitewashing in Hollywood.

  • Health Announcement: Her 2024 Instagram post about her cancer diagnosis went viral in the entertainment community, drawing support from stars like Lucy Hale and Dan Levy.


Current Projects & Future Plans

  • Netflix’s “Ripple”: Look out for her in this upcoming drama series.

  • Stage Work: She recently starred in the off-Broadway play Pre-Existing Condition, a role she took on just months after her cancer treatment, proving her unstoppable dedication to her craft.

  • Writing/Directing: With her background in art and architecture, rumors suggest she may move behind the camera in the future.


Impact & Legacy

Julia Chan is part of a wave of actors normalizing Asian representation in roles that aren’t defined by stereotypes. By playing doctors, fashionistas, and romantic leads who just happen to be Asian, she is broadening the scope for future actors. Her openness about her cancer journey while raising a young son has also made her a role model for resilience and women’s health.


FAQs About Julia Chan

Q: Is Julia Chan related to Gemma Chan?
A: No, they are not related. “Chan” is a very common Chinese surname.

Q: Did Julia Chan have cancer?
A: Yes, she was diagnosed with breast cancer around 2023 and is currently a survivor after treatment including a double mastectomy.

Q: Who is Julia Chan’s husband?
A: She is divorced from Erik Ratensperger. Her current partner and the father of her son is Toby Burns.

Q: Why did she change her name from Julia Taylor Ross?
A: She wanted to reclaim her Chinese heritage by using her father’s surname, Chan.

Q: Does Julia Chan have kids?
A: Yes, she has a son named Henry.

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