She studied the martial art kali-eskrima-silat as a hobby when she was young. She learned to speak Mandarin at home and began studying English when she was five. Liu has stated that she grew up in a diverse neighborhood. Her parents worked many jobs while Lucy and her siblings were growing up. She has an older brother, John, and an older sister, Jenny.

Liu's parents originally came from Beijing and Shanghai and immigrated to Taiwan as adults before meeting in New York. She is the youngest of three children born to Cecilia, who worked as a biochemist, and Tom Liu, a trained civil engineer who sold digital clock pens. In high school, she adopted a middle name, Alexis. Lucy Liu was born in the New York City borough of Queens. Most recently, she starred as Kalypso in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. She also voiced Callisto Mal in the Disney-animated film Strange World (2022). Her other voice credits include Maya & Miguel (2004–2007), Mulan II (2004), as well as the English and Mandarin-dubbed versions of Magic Wonderland (2014) and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013).

She voice acted as Master Viper in the Kung Fu Panda franchise (2008–2016) and Silvermist in the Tinker Bell series (2008–2014).

Her film work includes starring in Payback (1999), Shanghai Noon (2000), Chicago (2002), Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003), Lucky Number Slevin (2006), Watching the Detectives (2007), The Man with the Iron Fists (2012), and Set It Up (2018). Liu has starred as Ling Woo in the television series Ally McBeal (1998–2002), Alex Munday in two Charlie's Angels films (20) and Joan Watson in the crime-drama series Elementary (2012–2019). Her accolades include winning a Critics' Choice Television Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Seoul International Drama Award, in addition to nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award. Lucy Alexis Liu (born December 2, 1968) is an American actress.

Beloved Vampire by Joey W. Hill