Asian-Americans in Hollywood: Defying Stereotypes

Over the last five years I've noticed an influx of Asian talents on both the small and silver screen. Then again, maybe I'm noticing this because I myself am Asian-American and tend to perk my ears up like a hound when I see anyone of Asian descent on my TV screen. Regardless, it's undeniable that Asians and Asian-Americans are getting more face time in the entertainment business, whether it be due to the changing times or perhaps just the amount of Asian talents that are available to choose from. Ten to fifteen years ago seeing an Asian face, even one that was Euro-Asian (some of both European and Asian descent), gracing the covers of magazines, TV shows and commercials was rare. It was even rarer to see them on the big screen unless it was a martial arts movie. Since it's the start of a new year, and America is currently being lead by it's first African-American president I thought it would be appropriate to bring focus to some Asian-American actors currently gracing the small and big screen.

T.V.

There are several prime time shows that currently feature Asian actors, whether they play a central character or a minor one that shows up every now and then. Arguably the most notable one is the NBC hit show Heroes. When Heroes first came on the air it revolved around a handful of characters but one that was in the middle of it all was Hiro Nakamura, played by Masi Oka. Anyone that's ever seen the show since season one will remember the phrase, "Save the cheerleader, save the world." It was a phrase made popular by Oka's character. Another hit T.V. series with an Asian central character is Lost with their Korean couple played by Daniel Day Kim and Yunjin Kim. Lets not forget Grey's Anatomy's Dr. Cristina Yang, portrayed by 2006 Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh.

Since the Spring and Summer of 2009 there has been several new shows that have Asians as a leading or supporting character, such as Three Rivers Daniel Henney, SGU Stargate Universe's Ming Na, Drop Dead Diva's Margaret Cho, The Mentalist's Tim Kang, Dollhouse's Dichen Lachman (the show has been cancelled), Melrose Place's Stephanie Jacobsen, Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz and Harry Shum Jr., Eastwick's Lindsay Price, and the new season of Chuck to air in the Spring of 2010 will have Smallville alumni Kristin Kreuk. There's no doubt that there are more shows out there in TV land that features Asian actors.

Movies

As for the big screen, there hasn't been too much progress but it's getting there. Asians are no longer confine to martial arts roles, or Asian documentary-like films about the struggles of Asian immigrants, or the fight against Communist China or Vietnam. One of the most well known Asian name in Hollywood is no doubt Lucy Liu. Her most notable role was a Charlie's angel, but Liu has several other works under her belt. Most recently she lend her voice to Disney in the Tinker Bell movie.

Some other names you may recognized in Hollywood, or at least recognize their work, are Daniel Henney's role as Agent Zero in the 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie, John Cho as Hikaru Sulu in the Star Trek remake, Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams in Terminator Salvation, and Maggie Q (Quigley) in blockbuster hits such as Mission: Impossible III and Live Free or Die Hard.

What ever the reason for the rise in Asians in the entertainment business, it's nice to finally feel represented. I also feel that the roles Asians are getting is more diverse, they're no longer limited to just a few roles based on their race or ethnicity. Which in my opinion is great because they're breaking the mold that is often associated with Asians. I feel that this trend is leading the entertainment business, as well as America, towards the right direction. The more Asians we see in mainstream media the more people in America will get use to the idea of Asians being Americans too, and that we're not all a walking stereotype.