Exclusive: In an deeply personal conversation on The Stream Panther Podcast, hosted by founder, Ajay Tambe, actress Peggy Lu—best known for her fan-favorite role as Mrs. Chen in Venom—opened up about her unconventional path into Hollywood, learning from A-list co-stars like Tom Hardy, and the quiet resilience that’s carried her through decades in the entertainment industry.
Speaking with Ajay Tambe in an episode powered by Entertainment Lab, Lu’s reflections carried equal parts humor, humility, and hard-won wisdom—making for one of the podcast’s most emotionally resonant episodes yet.
“Hollywood Is Like Any Other Hustle—Except With More Glitter”
When asked about her biggest takeaway from working in the industry, Peggy didn’t hesitate: “Never give up.” To her, Hollywood isn’t a fantasy machine; it’s just another version of the corporate ladder—only with spotlights and higher emotional stakes.
“Money isn’t everything. Fame isn’t everything. They only exaggerate who you already are,” she said. “You have to be really grounded in who you are, and that’s not always easy to do.”
Lu’s sense of groundedness, as she explains, is largely thanks to her parents. She discovered acting during her sophomore year of college but, despite feeling drawn to the arts, she listened to her parents’ advice and pursued a doctorate in pharmacy. “Thank God I listened,” she says, reflecting on how that education helped her weather the lean years most actors face.
The Mrs. Chen We Almost Never Met
The journey to Venom wasn’t paved in red carpet moments. “In Hollywood, overnight success means 10 years,” Lu quoted “And there were so many times I almost gave up.”
She recalled countless rejections, moments of self-doubt, and the all-too-familiar cycle of “maybe next time” from agents and reps. But those challenges only fueled her drive. “You’re your biggest cheerleader,” she said. “Learning is endless, and the moment I think I’ve figured it all out—that’s when I know I need to calm down and go back to class.”
Indeed, Lu still trains rigorously when she’s off-set—sometimes enrolling in up to three acting classes at once. “It’s like being a professional athlete in the off-season,” she said. “If I’m not on set, I’m in class.”
Peggy Lu on Tom Hardy: “I Was So Nervous I Forgot Who He Was”
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Lu’s chemistry with Tom Hardy on-screen as Mrs. Chen and Venom’s chaotic host Eddie Brock is well-documented—but off-screen, she admits to being hilariously flustered the first time they met.
“I didn’t even recognize him when he introduced himself,” she laughed. “He goes, ‘I’m Tom Hardy,’ and I’m just like… ‘Who?’”
What followed was a masterclass in humility from Hardy, who noticed her nervousness and immediately offered to run lines. “He made me feel so welcomed and equal,” Lu said. “He wasn’t just the star—he was my scene partner.”
Lu went on to share another moment from Venom 3, where Hardy and director Kelly Marcel (who co-wrote the script) asked for her feedback on a scene. “He wanted my opinion. That never happens with A-listers,” she emphasized. “He made me feel like a colleague, like my thoughts mattered.”
The Venom Audition That Almost Broke Her
Landing the role of Mrs. Chen didn’t come easy. The initial audition was through casting director John Papsidera, and Lu walked into a waiting room full of familiar, high-profile Asian actors.
“It was one of those moments where you think, ‘I’m not going to get it,’” she admitted. She performed the audition three times, each with different directions, and even prepped with two coaches before finally securing a callback.
Even then, the pressure mounted. “There were even more recognizable faces in the second round,” she said. “But maybe that’s what helped me relax. The callback was mostly improvisation, and I just let go.”
About Peggy Lu
Peggy Lu is an American actress and pharmacist, widely recognized for her recurring role as Mrs. Chen in Sony’s Venom franchise. She holds a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Colorado Denver, and has appeared in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Always Be My Maybe, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, among others. Born to immigrant parents, Lu blends discipline with creative spirit—earning her reputation as a grounded and versatile performer.
About The Stream Panther Podcast
Founded and produced by Ajay Tambe, The Stream Panther Podcast is a global platform spotlighting the creative journeys of actors, directors, writers, and independent filmmakers. Known for its exclusive interviews, immersive audio dramas, and long-form storytelling, the podcast has been featured in the Top 100 across 15+ countries and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Gaana, iHeartRadio, and over 50 other platforms.
Tambe’s background in acting and stage performance brings depth and authenticity to every conversation, making The Stream Panther a go-to destination for artists and fans seeking meaningful, behind-the-scenes insights.
Powered By Entertainment Lab
This episode was made possible with the support of Entertainment Lab, a bicoastal talent and literary management company that guides the careers of actors, writers, and directors. Co-founded by Sean Dubravac and Matt Ilczuk, the firm has represented award-winning talent and collaborated with major studios and streamers in packaging high-level film and TV projects.
