It’s not often that you see an Asian actor cast as the lead in a movie or TV show, but things are slowly beginning to change. Historically, if an Asian actor is asked to be a part of a project, the role is usually a supporting one or falls under an offensive trope. Asian men are often asked to play the stereotypical nerd, the doctor, or the best friend, but almost never are they cast as the leading man or enviable love interest. But guess what, Hollywood? They can do both, and some of the best Asian actors in Hollywood are doing just that in movies and TV shows like the critically acclaimed (and Oscar-nominated) films “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Minari,” as well as hit TV series like “Pachinko” and “Squid Game.”
Hollywood still has a long way to go when it comes to casting Asian men in a variety of roles. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of incredible Asian actors who are more than up to the task of playing superheroes, romantic leads, or complex leading men in dramas, comedies, and everything in between.
Ahead, check out some of the best Asian actors out there right now – including a few actors whose stars are on the rise.