January 31 is Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse, the year 4712. The Chinese calendar, also known as the lunar calendar, is used by many Asian countries like Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
So at this auspicious time, it’s interesting to see how Asian Americans have fared in Hollywood.
At a glance, not so well.
There are no Asian American A-list stars. By A-list, I mean a star who’s name is above the movie title or can open a film. Now you may point to people like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, or Chow Yung Fat, but remember, we’re talking about Asian Americans here – Americans of Asian descent, born or raised in the US of A. The aforementioned stars became stars in their home markets before Hollywood decided to cast them in American projects.
Ever since 1993’s JOY LUCK CLUB, there have been stops and starts about the increasing acceptance of Asian Americans in Hollywood, but When you look at the Hollywood Box Office, the Billboard charts, you won’t see an Asian American name as a star. But all is not bleak. There’s an increasing visibility of Asian American talent both in front of and behind the camera.
THE WALKING DEAD has the kind of rabid fandom that Comic Con types dream of. And Korean American Steven Yeun has been part of the hit series since the beginning, the survivalist pizza delivery guy who first saves Sherriff Grimes.
One of the few JOY LUCK cast members to have had a consistent career, Ming Na stars in AGENTS OF SHIELD.
Sung Kang has long bubbled under the surface as a supporting actor in the FAST AND THE FURIOUS franchise as well as the occasional villain.
Daniel Dae Kim was a familiar face in the TV series LOST. Moon Bloodgood is a lead in the TV series FALLING SKIES.
Steve Byrne, who is of Korean/Irish decent, writes and stars in the TV series, SULLIVAN & SON.
Of course, STAR TREK has been very progressive in casting. George Takei remains one of the most prominent Asian American celebrities after playing Sulu so many years ago. Subsequent STAR TREK projects made stars out of Garrett Wang (STAR TREK VOYAGER), John Cho (STAR TREK movies), Linda Park (STAR TREK ENTERPRISE) just to name a few who managed to get on the bridge of a starship!
But it is behind the scenes where Asian Americans are making their biggest impact. The new horror king, James Wan, directed SAW, INSIDIOUS 1 and 2, THE CONJURING and the upcoming FAST AND FURIOUS 7.
Justin Lin hit the Hollywood scene with his BETTER LUCK TOMORROW and went on to direct four of the FAST AND FURIOUS flicks, and is now being tapped to direct the next Jason Bourne movie.
Between Lin and Wan, they’ve directed a number of huge hit franchises.
While there is a rising new generation of Asian American talent, we should pay homage to the pioneers who struggled with typecasting, stereotyping to play the evil Fu Manchu characters or the comical Charlie Chans.
James Hong – you’ll recognize him from RIPD and many other flicks. At the age of 84, Hong is still very active since he began acting in the 1950s. The Emmy-nominated actor is a cult favorite with roles in BALLS OF FURY, BLADE RUNNER, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, and the KUNG FU PANDA movies. How many actors can claim a steady career of over 60 years?
Victor Wong – who passed away in 2001 – is another memorable face from numerous cult movies. An actual member of the Beat Poets in the 1960s, Wong played Egg Shen in BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, a wise professor in the POLTERGEIST series, and was wise old grandpa in the 3 NINJA movies.
Perhaps no one personified Asian age old wisdom better than Pat Morita, who passed away in 2005. The Oscar-nominated actor was best known to the world as Mr. Miyagi from the KARATE KID movies.
So Happy Lunar New Year! 2014 looks pretty exciting – The Year of the Horse is known as the year for leaders. 2014 is set for those who want to make a difference and know how to make it happen.