Shirley Chen is known as the breakout lead from the Sundance feature BEAST BEAST, executive produced by Alec Baldwin and directed by Danny Madden. Indiewire called Chen “wildly promising” for her performance, and she was awarded "Best Acting in a Narrative Short" at SXSW for her work in the film’s short “Krista.” Recently, she reunited with Madden for his next film 15 CAMERAS and can next be seen in QUIZ LADY opposite Awkwafina and Sandra Oh for Hulu. Chen also performed as a lead in MAN OF GOD at the Geffen Playhouse in 2022. Chen’s short ONLY THE MOON STANDS STILL, produced by Lena Waithe premiered at Tribeca in 2021. Additional credits include The Resident (Fox), Speechless (ABC), Gamer's Guide (Disney XD), and Parenthood (NBC). Chen recently graduated from Harvard, where she was one of the first six women cast in the 200-year-old Hasty Pudding Theatricals, America's oldest theatrical group.

Chen holds a B.A. from Harvard University in Theater, Dance & Media and History & Literature with a focus in Asian American Studies.