Samantha Futerman

Samantha Futerman (born November 19, 1987) is a South Korean-born American actress, writer, director, and activist. She is known for her supporting role in the drama film Memoirs of a Geisha, set in Japan around World War II. She is also known for her self-made documentary film Twinsters, about how she discovered the identical twin sister she was not aware she had through Facebook and their journey after the truth is revealed.

Samantha Futerman
Ra-Hee Chung
Born (1987-11-19) November 19, 1987
Busan, South Korea
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Actress, Director, Activist
Years active2005–present
Spouse
Ryan Miyamoto
​
(m. 2022)​

Personal life

Futerman was born in Busan, South Korea and given the name Ra-Hee Chung.[1] She was later adopted by American parents, Jackie and Judd Futerman, and has two brothers, Matt and Andrew.[2] Raised in Verona, New Jersey, Futerman graduated from Verona High School in 2005.[3] Afterward, she went to Boston University's College of Fine Arts and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts. In 2011, Futerman moved to Los Angeles to pursue her interest in acting.[4] In 2012, Futerman made an appearance in KevJumba's YouTube video, High School Virgin.[4] After coming across this video, Futerman's identical twin sister, Anaïs Bordier, from whom she had been separated at birth and of whom she had no knowledge, contacted Futerman through Facebook on February 21, 2013. Immediately after, Futerman decided to work with co-director Ryan Miyamoto to document the twins' journey.[5] With the help of Dr. Nancy Segal, the women took a DNA test, which confirmed that Futerman and Anaïs are, in fact, twins.[6] In May 2013, the women met in person for the first time when Futerman decided to visit Anaïs at school in London.[4]

The two sisters have made a documentary film about their lives called Twinsters, which debuted on March 15, 2015, at the South by Southwest Film Festival.[7] The film begins with the women’s first Skype conversation and moves on to them meeting each other in person and their trip to the adoptee conference in Seoul, South Korea, where they also meet their foster mothers.[6]

Since meeting her sister, Futerman has been advocating for adoption. She worked with Jenna Ushkowitz to co-found the Kindred: Foundation of Adoption.[8]

On March 19, 2022, Futerman married Ryan Miyamoto, who co-directed the film Twinsters with her, at a ceremony held in New York City.[9]

Career

At the age of 16, Futerman made her feature film debut in 2005 with the leading role in The Motel.[10] That same year, Futerman received her role in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha, for which she gained international attention with her role of Satsu.[4] In early 2007, Futerman had a supporting role in Dear Lemon Lima opposite Meaghan Martin and Academy Award winner Melissa Leo. Futerman is also known for roles in Going the Distance and 21 & Over.

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2005 The Motel Christine
2005 Memoirs of a Geisha Satsu
2007 Dear Lemon Lima Nothing Madeline Amigone
2007 Across The Universe Prom Dancer Uncredited
2008 Harold Katy
2010 Going The Distance Very Young Intern
2013 21 & Over Sally Huang
2013 Man-Up Regan
2014 Alice Alice Short Film
2015 Twinsters Herself Documentary, also screenwriter and director
LAAPFF Grand Jury Prize (2015)
Nominated - SXSW Grand Jury Award (2015)
Nominated - SXSW Gamechanger Award (2015)
2017 How to Define the Relationship Jan Short Film
2021 From Here Jess Short Film, also screenwriter and director
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011 A Gifted Man Monica Lee Episode: "In Case of Loss of Control"
2012 Up All Night Riley Episode: "Daddy Daughter Time"
2012 Harry's Law Madison Tanaka Episode: "The Contest"
2013 The Big C Lydia Hye Episodes: "Quality of Life", "You Can't Take It With You"
2013–15 Kroll Show Tunes 5 episodes
2014 Suburgatory Katie Episode: "About a Boy-Yoi-Yoing"
2014 Law and Order Special Victims Unit Annie Lin Episode: "Pattern 17"[11]
2015-2016 John Hughes Ruined My Life Sam
2023 The Rookie Gamer Episode: "The Naked and the Dead"

Bibliography
  • Separated @ Birth: A True Love Story of Twin Sisters Reunited, with Anaïs Bordier, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2014

References
  1. Bordier, Anaïs; Futerman, Samantha (2014). Separated @ Birth: A True Love Story of Sisters Reunited. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 978-0-399-16816-1.
  2. "Daughters | Kindred Adoption". www.kindredadoption.org. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  3. Josephson, Rachel. "Twins Reunited After 25 Years Have Verona Connection", The Fairviewer, May 7, 2015. Accessed September 6, 2021. "The story of Samantha Futerman, a 2005 VHS graduate caught the attention of many Verona residents due to the publicity for the movie, Twinsters. Many people have been surprised that such an interesting story can come from our small town like ours."
  4. "Twinsters: Movie Documents the Story of Samantha Futerman and Anaïs Bordier, Identical Twin Sisters Separated at Birth and Reunited After 25 Years | BU Today | Boston University". BU Today. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  5. "Reunited twins give hope to adoptees". koreatimes. 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  6. "Twinsters | Netflix". www.netflix.com. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  7. "Twinsters". SXSW Schedule 2015. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  8. "Kindred Adoption |". www.kindredadoption.org. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  9. Futerman, Samantha [@samfuterman] (April 7, 2022). "On March 19 @miyamotoryan and I got married in NYC". Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via Instagram.
  10. The Motel, retrieved 2018-04-10
  11. IMDB
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