33 famous Asian actors making strides in Hollywood and beyond

33 famous Asian actors making strides in Hollywood and beyond

Many Asian actors have made a name for themselves in the Hollywood scene, while some are well-established in the Bollywood film industry. The actors have starred in numerous Hollywood movies and TV series, gaining international fame and winning notable awards.

Famous Asian actors
Actors Henry Golding, Remington Hoffman, and Will Yun Lee are among the talented actors from Asia. Photo: Andrew Lipovsky, Paras Griffin, Eike Schroter (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The entertainment industry has given many actors a chance regardless of their race, skin colour and age. One of the most required skills is talent and courage to do what is asked of you. The list of famous Asian actors captures some of the most talented, elegant and skilful actors in the industry.

Famous Asian actors

These actors possess an extraordinary ability to immerse themselves in their characters, breathing life into roles with depth, authenticity, and emotional resonance. Here is a list of Asian actors making strides in Hollywood and beyond.

1. Jackie Chan

Asian movie stars
Actor Jackie Chan attends a press conference at the 6th Jackie Chan International Action Film Week in Beijing, China. Photo: VCG
Source: Getty Images

Jackie tops the list of most famous Asian actors in Hollywood. He is renowned for his exceptional martial arts skills and his unique style of combining comedy with martial arts in action films. He gained global recognition for films like Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon, The Tuxedo, and Drunken Master.

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2. Henry Golding

Popular Asian actors
Actor Henry Golding, Hennessy’s Prestige & Rare Cognac Collection ambassador, attends the brand’s “Greatness is an Odyssey” content series premiere. Photo: Jerritt Clark
Source: Getty Images

Henry Golding is a Malaysian television host, actor and model. He gained widespread recognition for his breakthrough role in the 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians, where he portrayed Nick Young. Since then, he has starred in numerous films, including Last Christmas and Snake Eyes.

3. Will Yun Lee

Top Asian actors
Actor Will Yun Lee of "Falling Water" poses for a portrait in the NBCUniversal Press Tour portrait studio at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Christopher Polk
Source: Getty Images

Yun Lee stands tall among the top Asian actors who have been featured in well-rated television series such as The Good Doctor, Altered Carbon, and Hawaii Five O. The actor has 79 acting credits under his name as of writing.

4. Daniel Dae Kim

Asian actors in Hollywood
Daniel Dae Kim arrives at The House of Suntory 100th Anniversary Global Event and "Suntory Time" Tribute Premiere with Keanu Reeves and Sofia Coppola in New York City. Photo: Sean Zanni
Source: Getty Images

Daniel Dae Kim is a compelling ambassador for his Asian heritage in Hollywood. His roles in iconic series like Lost and Hawaii Five-0 have elevated the visibility of Asian characters, demonstrating the depth and complexity of their stories.

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5. Ken Jeong

Best Asian actors
Ken Jeong speaks onstage at the Stand Up To Cancer Biennial Telecast, marking 15 years of impact in cancer research, at NeueHouse Hollywood in Hollywood, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff
Source: Getty Images

Ken Jeong is a trailblazing figure among Asian male actors over 40. His career has flourished over the years, proving that talent knows no boundaries of age or ethnicity. Some of his notable works include his role as Mr. Chow in the Hangover film series.

6. Rick Yune

famous Asian actors
Actor Rick Yune attends amfAR's 20th Annual Cinema Against AIDS during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes, France. Photo: Samir Hussein
Source: Getty Images

Rick Yune, a Korean-American actor, is well-known in Hollywood for his strong on-screen presence. Yune routinely gives compelling, powerful performances in movies like Die Another Day, The Fast and the Furious, and Olympus Has Fallen.

7. Simu Liu

Asian Hollywood actors
Simu Liu attends the World Premiere of "Barbie" at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Rodin Eckenroth
Source: Getty Images

Simu Liu is a Chinese-Canadian writer, stuntman and one of the Asian actors in Hollywood. He was born on 19 April 1989 in Harbin, China, after which he moved to Canada at a young age. Liu gained widespread recognition for portraying Paul Xie in the TV series Blood and Water.

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8. Tim Kang

Asian actors in Hollywood
Tim Kang sitting on a chair in a park. Photo: Karen Neal
Source: Getty Images

Yila Timothy Kang is an American actor of Korean descent. He won a nominee ward for the BTVA Video Game Voice Acting Award as the voice of Dogen in Mirror's Edge: Catalyst film. He gained widespread recognition for portraying Special Agent Kimball Cho in the popular TV series The Mentalist.

9. James Hong

Young Asian actors
James Hong attends the "Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai" screening event and mixer in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Phillip Faraone
Source: Getty Images

James Hong, born on 22 February 1929 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a legendary actor in Hollywood with a career spanning several decades. According to his IMDb page, he has been featured in over 455 films and TV series. He is among the most popular Asian actors with big roots in the Hollywood industry.

10. Daniel Wu

Asian actors under 30
Daniel Wu arrives at the CAAMFest 2023 Premiere Of "American Born Chinese" at The Castro Theatre in San Francisco, California. Photo: Miikka Skaffari
Source: Getty Images

Wu is an actor and producer from Berkeley, California, USA. His remarkable career is a shining example of the growing influence of Asian actors in Hollywood. Some of his acting credits include New Police Story, Into the Badlands, and Warcraft.

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11. Adhir Kalyan

Asian actors in Hollywood
Actor Adhir Kalyan on the CBS Original series UNITED STATES OF AL pictured as AI. Photo: Robert Voets
Source: Getty Images

Born in 1983 and raised in Durban, South Africa, Adhir Kalyan moved to London to pursue an acting career. Kalyan's first leading role was in the CW's comedy series Aliens in America, where he played Raja. He is also known for his roles in television series like Rules of Engagement.

12. Daniel Padilla

He is a young, energetic and talented actor from Manilla, Philippines. Padilla has transcended boundaries and become a household name as one of the best young Asian actors in Hollywood. He is known for The Hows of Us, Barcelona: A Love Untold, and Crazy Beautiful You.

13. Harry Shum Jr.

Asian actors under 30
Harry Shum Jr. attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Photo: Jeff Kravitz
Source: Getty Images

Harry Shum Jr. is among Asian actors in Hollywood who are doing great in their careers. He is best known for his role as Mike Chang on the Fox TV series Glee. His character as Mike Chang won him four nominee Screen Actors Guild Awards.

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14. Steven Yeun

Asian male actors over 40
Steven Yeun speaks onstage during Deadline Contenders Television at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Jesse Grant
Source: Getty Images

Steven Yeun is among the best Asian actors from Seoul, South Korea. He is well known for his role as Glenn Rhee in the popular television series The Walking Dead. Additionally, he has starred in the critically acclaimed 2018 film Burning, receiving widespread praise for good performance.

15. Choi Woo-Sik

Asian actors under 30
Choi Woo-shik attends the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Frazer Harrison
Source: Getty Images

Choi Woo-Sik rose to prominence for his role as Yeong-jae in the acclaimed South Korean film Set Me Free. His other notable roles are Kim Ki-woo in Bong Joon-Ho's critically acclaimed film Parasite and Yong-Guk in Train to Busan film.

16. Lewis Tan

Asian male actors over 40
Lewis Tan arrives with a Wheely chauffeur to the Cartier Queen's Cup Polo 2023 in Egham, England. Photo: Dave Benett
Source: Getty Images

Lewis Singwah Tan is a British-born actor and martial artist of Asian descent from Manchester, United Kingdom. He is the son of a retired British fashion model, Joanne Cassidy, and a Chinese Singaporean martial artist, Philip Tan. Lewis boasts 33 acting credits under his name.

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17. Rex Lee

Famous Asian actors
Actor Rex Lee at talent, executives and showrunners from the Walt Disney Television Family. He arrived at the Beverly Hills Ballroom at All-Star Cocktail Reception and Interview. Photo: Image Group LA
Source: Getty Images

Lee is an actor, writer, and comedian known for portraying Lloyd Lee in the hit TV series Entourage. He has also featured in the Young and Hungry comedy TV series and the famous comedy series Fresh Off the Boat.

18. Manny Jacinto

Asian movie stars
Manny Jacinto attends the Los Angeles premiere of Amazon Prime's "I Want You Back" at ROW DTLA in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Amy Sussman
Source: Getty Images

Manuel Luis Jacinto is a Canadian actor born in the Philippines. He gained widespread recognition for portraying Jason Mendoza in The Good Place. He is among the famous Asian male actors with versatile acting skills.

19. Chin Han

Popular Asian actors
Chin Han attends the Disney+ Original Series "American Born Chinese" New York premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Photo: Dominik Bindl
Source: Getty Images

Chin Han stands out as one of the most famous Asian actors in the Hollywood industry. He gained recognition for his role as Lau in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, which was a major international blockbuster. Additionally, he is known for The Blacklist, Skyscraper, and Mortal Kombat.

20. Bi Rain

Top Asian actors
Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon of Gen.G Esports competes at the League of Legends - Mid-Season Invitational Bracket Stage in London, England. Photo: Colin Young-Wolff
Source: Getty Images

Bi Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, is a renowned South Korean singer, actor, and entertainer. He features among Asian Hollywood actors with international recognition. Currently, he has won 10 awards in his career, including the KBS Drama Award.

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21. Lei Wu

most famous Asian actors
Actor Wu Lei poses on the red carpet of the 2018 Bazaar Star Charity Night in Beijing, China. Photo: Visual China Group
Source: Getty Images

The Hollywood industry is currently giving Asian actors under 30 a chance to showcase their talents and skills. Lei Wu is a young actor born on 26 December 1999 in Shanghai, China. He has over 31 acting credits.

22. Chang Chen

Asian actors in Hollywood
Portrait of actor Chang Chen in Venice. Photo: Laurent KOFFEL
Source: Getty Images

Chang Chen is a well-known Taiwanese actor who has gained international recognition for his work in martial arts films. He debuted his career in 1991 after taking the lead role as Xiao Si'r in A Brighter Summer Day movie.

23. Dev Patel

best Asian actors
Actor Dev Patel attends the 8th annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades, California. Photo: Jason LaVeris
Source: Getty Images

With his critically acclaimed movie Slumdog Millionaire, the British-Indian actor had a smashing success on the big screen. He is known for his leading performances in The Last Airbender, The Second-Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Lion.

24. Salman Khan

famous Asian male actors
Indian Bollywood actor Salman Khan gestures during the announcement of his association with PVR Cinema and Being Human Foundation to support their humanitarian initiatives in Mumbai. Photo: STR
Source: Getty Images

Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan was born on 27 December 1965 in Mumbai, India. He is an influential Indian actor, film producer, singer, and television personality. He is one of the top Asian actors in the Bollywood industry. Salman Khan gained widespread recognition with his leading role in the blockbuster movie Maine Pyar Kiya 1989.

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25. Jet Li

Asian Hollywood actors
Actor Jet Li Lianjie speaks during a Taiji Zen Event in Shenyang, Liaoning Province of China. Photo VCG
Source: Getty Images

Jet Li is a renowned Chinese martial artist, actor, and film producer. Jet Li gained fame in China for his roles in films like Shaolin Temple. Later on, Jet Li gained an international breakthrough in his role as the villain in Lethal Weapon 4. Li has been honoured with several awards and nominations for his exceptional work in the industry.

26. Teo Yoo

Asian actors in Hollywood
Actor Teo Yoo attends the photocall for "Leto" during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. Photo: Dominique Charriau
Source: Getty Images

Teo Yoo was born and raised in Cologne, Germany. However, he is an actor of Korean descent, appearing in German and Hollywood movies. He is counted among Asian movie stars who are impacting the entertainment industry.

27. John Cho

Young Asian actors
Actor John Cho attends the Film Independent Special Screening of Don't Make Me Go at Harmony Gold in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Amanda Edwards
Source: Getty Images

John Cho is a South Korean-born American actor born to a Christian father. The actor is known for his role as Harold Lee in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) and Sulu in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013).

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28. Ken Watanabe

Asian actors under 30
Japanese actor Ken Watanabe attends the 13th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Photo: Anthony Kwan
Source: Getty Images

Hollywood has seen some of the best Asian actors over the years. Ken Watanabe is a great example of an Asian actor thriving in the entertainment industry. His acting career spans over several decades, with over 83 acting credits under his name.

29. Remington Hoffman

Best Asian actors
Remington Hoffman attends Tyler Perry's Zatima Atlanta screening at 5Church Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Marcus Ingram
Source: Getty Images

Remington Hoffman is an Asian American actor, director and producer born in Santa Cruz, California. Hoffman became famous for playing Bryce in Taylor Perry's television series Zatima. He has also been featured in Days of Our Lives and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

30. Bobby Lee

Popular Asian actors
Bobby Lee, comedian panellist of the CBS series GAME ON! on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton
Source: Getty Images

Lee is a comedian, actor and podcast host from San Diego, California, USA. He gained widespread recognition for his role in the sketch comedy show Mad TV, where he appeared from 2001 to 2009. He has also appeared in films like Pineapple Express and The Dictator.

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31. Benedict Wong

Famous Asian actors
Actor Benedict Wong from Marvel Studios Doctor Strange attends the San Diego Comic-Con International 2016 Marvel Panel in San Diego, California. Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez
Source: Getty Images

Benedict Wong has put his distinct personality into several film and television projects throughout the years. He has made a name for himself as a formidable personality actor thanks to his outstanding roles in Annihilation, Doctor Strange, and The Martian.

32. Ian Alexander

Asian movie stars
Ian Alexander attends the Los Angeles Premiere of HBO's "The Last of Us" at Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Axelle
Source: Getty Images

If you've watched The OA on Netflix, you already know Ian Alexander's role as Buck Vu. Despite having no prior acting experience, he went to the audition on a whim and landed the role. In addition to acting, he is a vocal supporter of the queer community.

33. Ross Butler

Popular Asian actors
Ross Butler attends the photo call for Warner Bros. "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills in West Hollywood, California. Photo: Araya Doheny
Source: Getty Images

Ross Fleming Butler was born in Singapore and raised in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C. Butler has established a track record for himself with appearances on Teen Wolf, Riverdale, K.C. Undercover, and 13 Reasons Why.

Asian actors are well-established in the entertainment industry. Some have over 100 acting credits, making them a global success. It does not matter whether you are young or old; you have likely watched some of the above actors' movies or TV shows.

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Famous Asian actors
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: Original

Legit.ng also published an informative piece on a list of the top richest Nigerian actresses. Nollywood comprises experienced and up-and-coming actors and actresses who work hard to provide quality entertainment.

Some have struck gold in the industry and become extremely wealthy. Mercy Johnson, Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji, and others are among Nigeria's wealthiest actresses. Find out how much they are worth.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Peris Wamangu avatar

Peris Wamangu (Lifestyle writer) Peris Wamangu is a reporter who also has experience working as a content writer for three years. She joined Legit 's team in 2021. Peris graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi in 2019. She enjoys writing about various topics such as fashion, currency, biographies, entertainment and business. In 2023, Peris finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Email: wamanguperis@gmail.com

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