Sonja Denise Plack (née Williams), known professionally as Sonja Sohn, (born May 9, 1964) is an American actress, filmmaker, and activist, best known for portraying Baltimore detective Kima Greggs in the HBO drama The Wire (2002–2008). She is also known for having starred in the 1998 independent film Slam, which she co-wrote, and appearing as Samantha Baker in the ABC series Body of Proof and as GBI Chief Amanda Wagner in the ABC series Will Trent. She is also the founder and CEO of the Baltimore-based outreach program, ReWired for Change, which focuses on the rehabilitation of at-risk youth who have engaged in criminal behavior.
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Early life
Sohn was born Sonja Denise Williams in Fort Benning, Georgia. Her mother was Korean and her father was American. Her parents met when her father was stationed in South Korea after the Korean War.
Sohn grew up in Newport News, Virginia, and graduated from Warwick High School there.
Career
Williams became professionally known as Sonja Sohn. Before she was an actress, Sohn was a slam poet. While performing her work on stage, she was spotted by Marc Levin who offered her a role in his film Slam. She also wrote lyrics and co-wrote the script for the film. It went on to win the Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic Film at the Sundance Film Festival. After debuting in Slam, Sohn appeared in minor roles in films such as Shaft and Bringing Out the Dead. She also starred in independent films Perfume, G and The Killing Zone.
