John Cho
{{short description|American actor (born 1972)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = John Cho
| image = John Cho by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption = Cho in 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1972|6|16}}
| birth_place = Seoul, South Korea
| birth_name = Cho Yo-Han
| nationality = American
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1997–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Kerri Higuchi|2006}}
| children = 2
| education = University of California, Berkeley (BA)
}}
John Cho (born Cho Yo-Han; June 16, 1972){{cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/john-cho/bio/157818/ |title=John Cho Biography |publisher=TVGuide.com |access-date=July 7, 2016 |archive-date=September 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920130151/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/john-cho/bio/157818/}} is an American actor known for his roles as Harold Lee in the Harold & Kumar films, and Hikaru Sulu in the Star Trek rebooted film series{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/07/john-cho-starring-searching|title=Two Years After #StarringJohnCho, John Cho Is Finally a Leading Man|last=Chi|first=Paul|date=July 26, 2018|magazine=Vanity Fair|language=en|access-date=March 17, 2020}} as well as Better Luck Tomorrow, Columbus, and Searching which made him the first Asian American actor in history to headline a mainstream thriller film in Hollywood. He was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for his performance in Searching.
He also made history in American television in the 21st century as the first Asian American actor cast as a romantic lead in a romantic comedy series when he starred as Henry Higgs in the 2014 sitcom Selfie.{{Cite web |last=Saraiya |first=Sonia |date=November 11, 2014 |title=Why Selfie{{'}}s cancellation is a massive shame: This was the most promising interracial couple on TV |url=https://www.salon.com/2014/11/10/why_selfies_cancellation_is_a_massive_shame_this_was_the_most_promising_interracial_couple_on_tv/ |access-date=June 9, 2022 |website=Salon |language=en |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529124455/https://www.salon.com/2014/11/10/why_selfies_cancellation_is_a_massive_shame_this_was_the_most_promising_interracial_couple_on_tv/ |url-status=live }} In addition to his role in Selfie, Cho has had lead roles in series such as FlashForward, Off Centre, and The Afterparty, and recurring roles in Sleepy Hollow and Difficult People. In his early career, Cho attained recognition for his guest starring role in the fantasy television series Charmed.
Early life
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Cho moved to the United States when he was 6 years old in 1978.{{Cite web|url=https://time.com/collection-post/5042063/american-voices-john-cho/|title=John Cho Thinks His Immigration Story Makes Him a True Citizen|last=Falcone|first=Dana Rose|date=December 20, 2017|website=Time|access-date=March 17, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731023959/https://time.com/collection-post/5042063/american-voices-john-cho/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=ELLE |date=November 9, 2018 |script-title=ko:존 조의 초상 |url=https://www.elle.co.kr/article/21579 |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=ELLE |language=ko |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322164514/https://www.elle.co.kr/article/21579 |url-status=live }} He was raised in Los Angeles, where his family settled after living in Houston, Seattle, Daly City, California, and Monterey Park, California.{{cite web|url=https://international.ucla.edu/institute/article/110087|title=The Game-Changer: An Interview with John Cho|last=Wang|first=Oliver|date=July 3, 2009|publisher=Asia Pacific Arts (UCLA Asia Institute)|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121080301/http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/090703/article.asp?parentID=110087|archive-date=January 21, 2014}} His father was a minister in the Church of Christ and was originally from North Korea.Kevin Pollak's Chat Show, Hulu.com and Ustream, episode 96{{cite web |title=What to watch |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/10/27/john-cho-kal-penn-different-white-house-experiences-video/ |website=AOL.com |access-date=December 2, 2015 |archive-date=January 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123193318/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/10/27/john-cho-kal-penn-different-white-house-experiences-video/ |url-status=dead }} He grew up with one younger brother.{{Cite magazine |title=John Cho Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions |url=https://www.wired.com/video/watch/google-autocomplete-inverviews-john-cho-answers-the-web-s-most-searched-questions/ |access-date=June 26, 2022 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US}}{{cite podcast |host= |title=John Cho on Cowboy Bebop and the expectations that come with adapting a wildly popular anime |website=q with Tom Power |publisher= |date=November 22, 2022 |time= |url=https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-50-q/clip/15879967-john-cho-cowboy-bebop-expectations-adapting-wildly-popular |access-date=June 26, 2022 |last=Powers |first=Tom}} At the time, his father believed in order to survive and assimilate in the U.S., Cho and his brother would need to stop speaking Korean and speak English instead. They would also watch American television as much as they could to absorb the new culture.{{Cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/john-cho/id1459899327?i=1000622214617 |title=John Cho |website=Life is Short with Justin Long |publisher=Apple Podcasts |host=Justin Long |date=2023-07-25 |archive-url=https://wondery.com/shows/justin-long/episode/5779-john-cho/ |url-status=live |archive-date=2023-07-25 |time=18:25}} Cho graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, California, in 1990.{{cite news|last=Buchanan|first=Jason|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/224268/John-Cho/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511153921/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/224268/John-Cho/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2008|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|date=2008|title=John Cho}}
Cho attended the University of California, Berkeley. In 1994, he toured nationally for a stage production of Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior by the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. He graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature.{{Cite web |title=A Conversation With John Cho: 'Troublemaker' |url=https://asiasociety.org/new-york/events/conversation-john-cho-troublemaker |access-date=June 26, 2022 |website=Asia Society |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318232608/https://asiasociety.org/new-york/events/conversation-john-cho-troublemaker |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/John-Cho-rises-to-the-top-with-Harold-s-help-3217677.php|title=John Cho rises to the top, with Harold's help|last=Hartlaub|first=Peter|date=April 23, 2008|website=SFGate|access-date=March 17, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802181537/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/John-Cho-rises-to-the-top-with-Harold-s-help-3217677.php|url-status=live}}
Career
= Acting =
After graduation, Cho taught English literature{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI45fFoXLvE&t=116s |title=John Cho Is the Reason "MILF" Is Part of Your Vocabulary |date=March 25, 2022 |last=The Drew Barrymore Show |time=1:56}} at Pacific Hills School in West Hollywood, California, while acting at East West Players in downtown Los Angeles.{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2019 |title=John Cho {{!}} Cal Reunions |url=https://reunions.berkeley.edu/spotlight/john-cho/ |access-date=June 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723002023/https://reunions.berkeley.edu/spotlight/john-cho/ |archive-date=July 23, 2019 }} There, he appeared in Edward Sakamoto's The Taste of Kona Coffee in 1996 and in Euijoon Kim's film My Tired Broke Ass Pontificating Slapstick Funk in 2000.[http://eastwestplayers.org/about_us/production_history/mybrokeass.htm EWP 34th Season] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406114333/http://www.eastwestplayers.org/about_us/production_history/mybrokeass.htm |date=April 6, 2011 }} on East West Players site
Cho gained attention with a small role as "MILF guy #2" in the 1999 comedy American Pie, in which he popularized the slang term MILF. Cho reprised the role in three sequels: American Pie 2, American Wedding, and the latest installment American Reunion in which he has a much larger role. His character initially had no name, but he was given the name "John" in the third film, named after Cho himself.
Cho guest-starred on Charmed as the ghost of Mark Chao, one of leading character Piper Halliwell's most prominent love interests, in the episode "Dead Man Dating" in 1998; he indicated in 2024 that it was a role that he "gets asked about... all the time".{{Cite Podcast|title=Dead Man Dating with John Cho - Charmed S01E04|author=The House of Halliwell / A Charmed Rewatch Podcast|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dead-man-dating-with-john-cho-charmed-s01e04/id1643024276?i=1000580157382 |via=Apple Podcasts |access-date=March 13, 2024}}{{Cite AV media|title=My 25 Favourite Charmed Episodes No. 21 Dead Man Dating |author=Better with Bob |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cTVqP58utrM |via=YouTube |access-date=March 13, 2024}} He was one of the stars of the short-lived situation comedy Off Centre from 2001 to 2002; his character, Chau Presley, became the series' breakout character.
He was a costar on the Fox sitcom Kitchen Confidential, based on Anthony Bourdain's best-selling book. He had supporting roles in the science fiction comedy Evolution, directed by Ivan Reitman; Down to Earth; and Bowfinger.
In 2002, Cho had a starring role in the ensemble cast of Justin Lin's Better Luck Tomorrow, a drama focusing on the travails of a group of Asian Americans living in Southern California who are academically successful but socially discontented, and as a result engage in wantonly violent, criminal behavior. It was well received by critics, with Elvis Mitchell of The New York Times describing Cho's character's "lazy magnetism of which he is charmingly aware".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/11/movies/film-review-teenagers-determined-to-damage-their-resumes.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title=Film Review; Teenages Determined to Damage Their Resumes |first=Elvis |last=Mitchell |access-date=August 26, 2012 |work=The New York Times |date=April 11, 2003 |archive-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309003709/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/11/movies/film-review-teenagers-determined-to-damage-their-resumes.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |url-status=live }} Later that year, the movie Big Fat Liar was released, in which Cho played a Hong Kong-based film director. He refused to do the accent scripted for his character. The director worked with him to re-develop the role.Sullivan, Gail (October 9, 2014), [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/10/09/john-cho-of-selfie-wants-roles-outside-any-asian-stereotype-2/ "John Cho of 'Selfie': 'I experienced racism'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209131519/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/10/09/john-cho-of-selfie-wants-roles-outside-any-asian-stereotype-2/ |date=December 9, 2015 }}. The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
Cho had a successful starring role as Harold Lee in 2004's Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and reprised the role in 2008's Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay which earned $38{{nbsp}}million at the box office,{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=haroldandkumar2.htm |title=Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay |website=boxofficemojo.com |access-date=August 26, 2012 |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018075623/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=haroldandkumar2.htm |url-status=live }} and again in 2011's A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas which made $35{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=haroldandkumar3.htm |title=A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas |publisher=boxofficemojo.com |access-date=September 13, 2012 |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103223340/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=haroldandkumar3.htm |url-status=live }} Cho's role in the popular franchise was written specifically for him by Hayden Schlossberg, and Cho has recounted that when Schlossberg first approached him with the role, he was initially suspicious.
Cho appeared in the July 2004 issue of KoreAm Journal and, in September 2006, was cast in NBC's new comedy The Singles Table, but the series never aired due to changes in scheduling and production. In 2006{{Cite web|date=November 14, 2006|title=The Sexiest Men Alive 2006|url=https://people.com/celebrity/the-sexiest-men-alive-2/|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=PEOPLE.com|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106234545/https://people.com/celebrity/the-sexiest-men-alive-2/|url-status=live}} and again in 2009,{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/celebrity/the-sexiest-men-alive-2009/ |title=People Magazine Sexiest Men Alive 2009 |access-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626203206/https://people.com/celebrity/the-sexiest-men-alive-2009/ |url-status=live }} Cho was selected as one of the sexiest men alive in People magazine.
In 2007, Cho was added to the cast of Ugly Betty as a recurring character. Cho plays Kenny, a best friend of accountant Henry Grubstick. Cho played helmsman Hikaru Sulu in J. J. Abrams's feature film Star Trek.{{cite news |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if4ef26bbb490c2c53a944c8e92a50006 |date=October 12, 2007 |title=Final frontier for Cho, Pegg |first=Borys |last=Kit}}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/12/john.cho.ap/index.html |title=John Cho: 'Trek' role is 'daunting' |agency=Associated Press |publisher=CNN |date=March 12, 2008 |access-date=March 12, 2008 |archive-date=March 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313135330/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/12/john.cho.ap/index.html |url-status=live }} Manohla Dargis of The New York Times praised him for making his role "ultimately and rather wonderfully [his] own".{{cite news |work=The New York Times |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/movies/08trek.html |title=Movie Review: 'Star Trek' |first=Manohla |last=Dargis |author-link=Manohla Dargis |date=May 7, 2009 |access-date=August 27, 2012 |archive-date=February 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222154018/http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/movies/08trek.html |url-status=live }}
Cho appeared in Nas's "Be a Nigger Too" music video along with various celebrities and had a guest appearance on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, in the episode "I'm Not That Guy" where he played a partner in an evil law firm. Of the latter, Staci Krause of IGN, wrote that Cho was "the scene stealer in this episode" and that she would "definitely like to see more of him" in the series.{{cite web |publisher=IGN |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/30/how-i-met-your-mother-im-not-that-guy-review |title=How I Met Your Mother: 'I'm Not That Guy' Review |date=October 30, 2007 |access-date=August 27, 2012 |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922124258/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/30/how-i-met-your-mother-im-not-that-guy-review |url-status=live }}
From 2009 to 2010, Cho starred in the television series FlashForward as FBI Special Agent Demetri Noh.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Fall-TV-ABC-1006175.aspx |title=Fall TV: ABC's Official Schedule Revisits V, Moves Betty and Says Adieu to Who? |first=Joyce |last=Eng |work=TV Guide |date=May 19, 2009 |access-date=May 20, 2009 |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015054127/http://www.tvguide.com/news/fall-tv-abc-1006175.aspx |url-status=live }} His character was originally slated to be killed off during what turned out to be the show's only season, but after his turn as Sulu in Star Trek boosted his popularity, the producers revised the show's storyline so that he survived, in an attempt to boost declining ratings.{{cite web |last=Keck |first=William |author-link=William Keck |title=Keck's Exclusives: Gabrielle Union FlashForwards to New Series |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-Gabrielle-1019728.aspx |work=TV Guide |date=June 18, 2010 |access-date=July 9, 2010 |archive-date=July 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704004413/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-Gabrielle-1019728.aspx |url-status=live }}
In 2012, he was part of the cast ensemble of Go On as Steven.{{Cite web |last=Masters |first=Megan |date=June 15, 2012 |title=Scoop: Matthew Perry's Go On Promotes John Cho to Series Regular |url=https://tvline.com/2012/06/14/nbc-go-on-john-cho-series-regular/ |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=TVLine |language=en-US |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623065041/https://tvline.com/2012/06/14/nbc-go-on-john-cho-series-regular/ |url-status=live }}
Cho starred as Henry Higgs in the short-lived sitcom Selfie, a retooling of the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw,Doll, Jen (October 20, 2014), [https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-10-16/review-abcs-selfie-fails-to-get-the-internet-right "YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON TELEVISION] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082411/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-10-16/review-abcs-selfie-fails-to-get-the-internet-right |date=March 4, 2016 }}." Business Week. (4399):70{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2014-year-in-review/was-2014-banner-year-asian-americans-television-n271176 |title=Was 2014 A Banner Year for Asian Americans on Television? |publisher=NBC News |date=December 27, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2017 |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820131023/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2014-year-in-review/was-2014-banner-year-asian-americans-television-n271176 |url-status=live}} becoming the first Asian American man to play a romantic lead on a U.S. romantic comedy television series in 2014. At the time, Keli Lee was the executive vice president of Talent and Casting at ABC who selected Cho as a candidate{{Cite web |last=Haithman |first=Diane |date=2014-07-15 |title=TCA: 'Suburgatory' Stars Could Be Taking A Shot In 'Selfie' |url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/suburgatory-selfie-actors-appearance-abc-tv-804665/ |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2014-03-22 |title=PILOT SEASON 2014: Network Casting Chiefs On This Season's Biggest Challenges, Casting Coups & Fresh Faces |url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/pilot-season-2014-network-casting-executives-interviews-exclusive-701842/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} and also previously cast Cho in Flashforward.{{Cite web |date=2010-10-11 |title=The woman behind the stars |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2010/10/11/features/The-woman-behind-the-stars/2927029.html |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |language=en}} Julie Anne Robinson, one of the directors and executive producers of Selfie, revealed in 2021 interviews that she strongly supported casting Cho and had to persuade "top to bottom of everybody in that chain" that he was the perfect choice for the role, which took considerable time. Robinson fought for Cho and won, saying, "That's what I'm most proud of about that whole pilot."{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Ariana |title=One Super Steamy Grey's Anatomy Episode Has A Secret Bridgerton Connection. The Woman Behind It Explains |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/03/10320119/greys-anatomy-sexy-scenes-bridgerton-director-interview |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=www.refinery29.com |language=en |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314054905/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/03/10320119/greys-anatomy-sexy-scenes-bridgerton-director-interview |url-status=live }}{{cite podcast |last1=Saux |first1=Lori |last2=Saux |first2=Stephen |title=46. Coming Down The Mountain: Our Interview with Julie Anne Robinson |website=If We Knew Then |date=4 March 2021 |time=14:06 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnK4YBETCKE&t=846s |access-date=25 March 2022}}{{Citation |title=[2021] Selfie (& Bridgerton) executive producer Julie Anne Robinson had to fight to cast John Cho | date=March 25, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um37pQQuGds |access-date=2022-03-26 |language=en |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314054905/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um37pQQuGds |url-status=live }} The show continued to have a dedicated fan following after its broadcast, especially in China.{{Cite web |last=花小编 |date=23 November 2021 |title=7年了，让网友意难平的豆瓣8.3分美剧——《再造淑女Selfie》，可爱又性感的女主太迷人！_男装_什么值得买 |url=https://post.smzdm.com/p/aen8lzdq/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521200117/https://post.smzdm.com/p/aen8lzdq/ |archive-date=21 May 2023 |access-date=9 July 2022 |website=post.smzdm.com}}{{Citation |title=再造淑女 Selfie |url=https://movie.douban.com/subject/25884510/ |access-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408035921/https://movie.douban.com/subject/25884510/ |archive-date=8 April 2023 |url-status=live |language=zh-CN}}{{Cite web |title=Weibo |url=https://www.weibo.com/5216087137/KwTg8qdqH |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411012212/https://www.weibo.com/5216087137/KwTg8qdqH |archive-date=11 April 2023 |access-date=9 July 2022 |website=passport.weibo.com}} In July 2022, when Cho was asked about his thoughts on the show's cancellation, he answered, "I'm still stunned to see how many people still love that series. And yeah, I was bummed when it got canceled. I just thought that was a good show."{{Cite web |last=Silverio |first=Ben F. |date=July 14, 2022 |title=Don't Make Me Go Star John Cho Talks About The Film's Ending, The Afterparty Season 2, And More [Interview] |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/920592/dont-make-me-go-star-john-cho-on-building-chemistry-with-his-on-screen-daughter-the-afterparty-season-2-and-more-interview/ |access-date=July 22, 2022 |website=SlashFilm.com |language=en-US |archive-date=July 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720155458/https://www.slashfilm.com/920592/dont-make-me-go-star-john-cho-on-building-chemistry-with-his-on-screen-daughter-the-afterparty-season-2-and-more-interview/ |url-status=live }} In January 2023, Cho mentioned he had not received many offers for romantic comedy roles since Selfie.{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2023 |title=Who should be the next great romantic comedy star? |url=https://www.avclub.com/who-should-be-the-next-great-romantic-comedy-star-1850032005/slides/15 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208000003/https://www.avclub.com/who-should-be-the-next-great-romantic-comedy-star-1850032005/slides/15 |url-status=live }}
In 2016, he was a series regular for the television show as Andy Kim in the second season of The Exorcist television series.{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2017 |title=John Cho reveals why he joined The Exorcist: "I hadn't seen Asians in American horror" |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a839266/the-exorcist-john-cho-asians-in-american-horror/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623065434/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a839266/the-exorcist-john-cho-asians-in-american-horror/ |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}} In 2017, he starred in the film Columbus, which received critical acclaim.{{Cite web |title=COLUMBUS {{!}} Press – Critical Acclaim |url=https://www.columbusthemovie.com/new-index |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=COLUMBUS |language=en-US |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418062522/https://www.columbusthemovie.com/new-index |url-status=live }} In 2018, Cho starred in the film Searching, playing a man combing social media for clues to his daughter's disappearance. He was the first Asian American actor to headline a mainstream thriller in Hollywood.{{cite web |last=General |first=Ryan |url=https://nextshark.com/john-cho-searching-thriller-asian-actor/ |title=John Cho Makes History as the First Asian Actor Leading a Hollywood Thriller in 'Searching' |publisher=Nextshark.com |date=July 25, 2018 |access-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200640/https://nextshark.com/john-cho-searching-thriller-asian-actor/ |url-status=live }} Also in 2018, he was presented with the Spotlight Award at the San Diego International Film Festival.{{Cite web |url=https://sdfilmfest.com/night-of-the-stars-tribute/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403112641/https://sdfilmfest.com/night-of-the-stars-tribute/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |title=Night Of The Stars Tribute {{!}} San Diego International Film Festival|date=April 3, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019}}
In April 2019, Variety reported that Cho had been cast as Spike Spiegel in a live-action version of the Cowboy Bebop series.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/cowboy-bebop-netflix-live-action-series-cast-1203180399/ |title=Cowboy Bebop: John Cho, Mustafa Shakir Among Four Cast in Netflix Live-Action Series |last=Otterson |first=Joe |work=Variety |date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=April 6, 2019 |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404162000/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/cowboy-bebop-netflix-live-action-series-cast-1203180399/ |url-status=live }} However, production shut down when Cho suffered a knee injury in October and remained shut down until late September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |title=Cowboy Bebop: Netflix Series Shuts Down Production For 7–9 Months Following Star John Cho On-Set Injury |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/cowboy-bebop-netflix-series-shuts-down-production-7-9-months-hiatus-star-john-cho-on-set-injury-1202764024/ |website=Deadline |date=October 18, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018224036/https://deadline.com/2019/10/cowboy-bebop-netflix-series-shuts-down-production-7-9-months-hiatus-star-john-cho-on-set-injury-1202764024/ |url-status=live}} Cowboy Bebop premiered on Netflix on November 19, 2021.
Cho wrote a middle school novel for younger readers called Troublemaker, which was released on March 22, 2022.{{Cite book |url=https://www.lbyr.com/titles/john-cho/troublemaker/9780759554450/ |title=Troublemaker |date=June 7, 2021 |isbn=978-0-7595-5445-0 |language=en-US |last1=Cho |first1=John |publisher=Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |access-date=June 26, 2022 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625170636/https://www.lbyr.com/titles/john-cho/troublemaker/9780759554450/ |url-status=live}} Also in 2022, Cho was cast in the second season of Apple TV+'s comedy series The Afterparty as "Funcle" Ulysses Zhu.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=May 13, 2022 |title=The Afterparty: John Cho Joins Season 2 Cast Of Apple Comedy Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/the-afterparty-john-cho-season-2-cast-apple-comedy-series-1235022944/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=Deadline |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515185032/https://deadline.com/2022/05/the-afterparty-john-cho-season-2-cast-apple-comedy-series-1235022944/ |url-status=live }}{{cite tweet|number=1524435633762037761|user=chrizmillr|title=Season 2 has begun.#TheAfterparty|date=May 11, 2022|access-date=May 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511170648/https://twitter.com/chrizmillr/status/1524435633762037761|archive-date=May 11, 2022|url-status=live|first=Christopher|last=Miller}} The new season premiered in July 2023.
In May 2024, he had a cameo in the television adaptation of The Sympathizer.{{Cite web |last=Sun |first=Rebecca |date=May 6, 2024 |title=John Cho Doesn't Think of His 'Sympathizer' Cameo as Meta, But Understands If You Do |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-sympathizer-john-cho-cameo-1235890292/ |access-date=July 8, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} In early August 2024, Cho voiced in the audiobook version of the romantic comedy book, Drop Dead, written by Lily Chu.{{Cite web |title=Drop Dead |url=https://lilychuauthor.com/drop-dead |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Lily Chu |language=en-US}} Cho starred in a sci-fi horror film, Afraid, released on August 30, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Vejvoda |first=Jim |date=July 3, 2024 |title=AFRAID: Exclusive Trailer and Poster Debut for New Blumhouse AI Thriller |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/afraid-trailer-poster-blumhouse-ai-thriller-plot-release-date-cast |access-date=July 3, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}
In February 2025, Cho was cast in the second season of Poker Face, which is set to be released on May 8, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=2025-02-18 |title=Poker Face Season 2 Adds Davionte 'Gata' Ganter, Justin Theroux, John Cho, Haley Joel Osment & Patti Harrison |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/poker-face-season-2-davionte-gata-ganter-justin-theroux-john-cho-haley-joel-osment-patti-harrison-1236293926/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} He also had a cameo in Murderbot, which premiered on May 16, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=2025-04-07 |title=Murderbot Would Hate You—But That's Why You'll Love It |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/murderbot-first-look |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250408132320/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/murderbot-first-look |archive-date=2025-04-08 |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}} Cho will make his Korean drama debut in Tempest, which will be released on Disney+ and Hulu in 2025.{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Korean Spy Drama Tempest Adds John Cho, Chris Gorham, Alicia Hannah-Kim & Jacob Bertrand |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/tempest-cast-john-cho-chris-gorham-alicia-hannah-kim-jacob-bertrand-1236034306/ |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
=Music=
Cho is the lead singer for Viva La Union (formerly known as Left of Zed),{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/090703/article.asp?parentID=110145|title=Asia Pacific Arts: The Game-Changer: An Interview with John Cho (part 2)|last=Wang|first=Oliver|date=July 3, 2009|website=Asia Pacific Arts|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709165706/http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/090703/article.asp?parentID=110145|archive-date=July 9, 2009|access-date=March 17, 2020}} a Los Angeles garage rock band composed of former Berkeley and USC students. They have one album, self-titled, while their song "Chinese Baby" is on the Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay soundtrack.
Personal life
Cho married actress Kerri Higuchi in 2006.{{Cite web|title=Star Trek{{'s}} John Cho welcomes baby girl with wife Kerri Higuchi|url=http://www.today.com/news/star-treks-john-cho-welcomes-baby-girl-wife-kerri-higuchi-1C8336661|access-date=October 31, 2021|website=TODAY.com|date=February 12, 2013 |language=en|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104164323/https://www.today.com/news/star-treks-john-cho-welcomes-baby-girl-wife-kerri-higuchi-1C8336661|url-status=live}} They met at UC Berkeley and later dated when they moved to Los Angeles.{{Cite web|date=February 17, 2015|title=On a Date With John Cho: He Opens Up About Relationship Mistakes and American Pie Secrets|url=https://www.glamour.com/story/john-cho-wife-marriage-advice|access-date=October 31, 2021|website=Glamour|language=en-US|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031183746/https://www.glamour.com/story/john-cho-wife-marriage-advice|url-status=live}} They have a son, born in 2008,{{cite web |title=John Cho and wife Kerri expecting first child |url=https://people.com/parents/john-cho-and-wi/ |work=People |date=April 13, 2008 |access-date=February 13, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209125155/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2008/04/13/john-cho-and-wi/ |archive-date=December 9, 2011}} and a daughter, born in 2013.{{cite web |title=John Cho and wife Kerri have second child |url=https://people.com/parents/go-on-identity-thief-john-cho-welcomes-a-daughter/ |work=People |date=February 11, 2013 |access-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214002633/https://people.com/parents/go-on-identity-thief-john-cho-welcomes-a-daughter/ |url-status=live }} As of 2015, he and his family reside in Los Angeles, California.{{cite web |title=John Cho |url=http://www.tv.com/people/john-cho/biography/ |website=TV.com |access-date=December 1, 2015 |archive-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701031125/http://www.tv.com/people/john-cho/biography/ |url-status=dead }} He is close to his father, a former preacher, and would like to play a role in the story of his father's generation, growing up in North Korea through the Korean War.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94HUM3S_Gzg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/94HUM3S_Gzg| archive-date=November 7, 2021 | url-status=live|title=John Cho On Playing The Asian-American Stoner Stereotype|work=Larry King Now| date=May 16, 2013}}{{cbignore}}
Cho has indicated he has found freedom in being Harold in the Harold and Kumar films because the stoner character goes against the grain of Asian Americans onscreen. He has said he has experienced racism throughout his career in Hollywood and that he tries to take roles that do not perpetuate Asian stereotypes.{{cite web|last=Haruch|first=Steve|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/09/28/352046466/selfie-s-choice-john-cho-gets-an-unlikely-shot-as-a-romantic-lead|title=In 'Selfie', John Cho Gets An Unlikely Shot As A Romantic Lead|website=NPR|date=September 28, 2014|publisher=National Public Radio|access-date=December 2, 2015|archive-date=April 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425223709/http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/09/28/352046466/selfie-s-choice-john-cho-gets-an-unlikely-shot-as-a-romantic-lead|url-status=live}} When asked to do an Asian accent for Big Fat Liar, Cho refused. "I don't want to do this role in a kid's comedy, with an accent, because I don't want young people laughing at an accent inadvertently", he wrote.{{Cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Gail|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/10/09/john-cho-of-selfie-wants-roles-outside-any-asian-stereotype-2/|title=John Cho of 'Selfie': 'I experienced racism'|date=October 9, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 30, 2015|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=December 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209131519/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/10/09/john-cho-of-selfie-wants-roles-outside-any-asian-stereotype-2/|url-status=live}} In a 2015 tweet he said, "Stop turning Asian roles white. It's bullshit and we all know it."{{Cite tweet|first=John (verified account)|last=Cho|title=Stop turning Asian roles white.|date=March 24, 2015|user=JohnTheCho|number=580552681711923200|access-date=November 30, 2015|archive-date=May 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511023752/https://twitter.com/johnthecho/status/580552681711923200|url-status=live}} On being the first Asian to play a romantic lead on a U.S. romantic comedy television series, he described his casting in Selfie as being "revolutionary" and a "personal revolution" for him because of its uniqueness in Hollywood. "Asians narratively in shows are insignificant. They're the cop, or waitress, or whatever it is. You see them in the background. So to be in this position ... is bit of a landmark", he has said on the inability of Asians getting offered such roles.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victoria-namkung/tvs-first-asian-romantic-lead_b_5878380.html|title=Will John Cho Be Television's First Asian Romantic Lead?|website=The Huffington Post|date=September 25, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2015|archive-date=July 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725004013/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tvs-first-asian-romantic-lead_b_5878380|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Wong|first=Tony|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2014/07/16/star_treks_john_cho_breaks_barriers_as_romantic_lead_i_would_call_this_revolutionary.html|title="Asians narratively in shows are insignificant," says John Cho, the romantic lead in the fall series Selfie. "So to be in this position ... is a bit of a landmark."|date=July 16, 2014|newspaper=The Toronto Star|access-date=November 30, 2015|issn=0319-0781|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225111940/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2014/07/16/star_treks_john_cho_breaks_barriers_as_romantic_lead_i_would_call_this_revolutionary.html|url-status=live}}
In 2016, Cho was the face of the "#StarringJohnCho" social movement and hashtag campaign, created by William Yu, wherein Cho is Photoshopped onto existing movie posters as the male lead. The purpose of the project was to call attention to the lack of opportunities for Asian American actors in Hollywood.{{Cite web|title=#STARRINGJOHNCHO|url=http://starringjohncho.com/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=#STARRINGJOHNCHO|language=en-US|archive-date=December 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230826/http://starringjohncho.com/|url-status=live}} This created a domino effect, which inspired director Jon M. Chu to create the film adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians{{Cite web |date=2019-02-21 |title=Jon M. Chu: #StarringJohnCho Movement Pushed Me To Make 'Crazy Rich Asians' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jon-m-chu-starring-john-cho-movement_n_5c6daa07e4b0e37a1ed4445a |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} and the film's success later inspired Ke Huy Quan to return to acting in Everything Everywhere All at Once.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2022-03-25 |title='Everything Everywhere' Star Ke Huy Quan on How 'Crazy Rich Asians' Gave Him FOMO and Inspired His Return to Movies |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/ke-huy-quan-crazy-rich-asians-everything-everywhere-1235214799/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Cho supported the 2012 re-election campaign of Democratic U.S. President Barack Obama.(2011-07-16) {{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59184.html|title=Hollywood stars open wallets for Obama|website=Politico|access-date=July 16, 2011|archive-date=November 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121031106/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59184.html|url-status=live}} He supported the Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.{{Cite web |title=John Cho on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/JohnTheCho/status/1269495642247684096 |access-date=2020-06-06 |website=Twitter}} Cho also supported the 2024 election campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.{{Cite web |last=Kamala For Nevada |date=2024-10-04 |title=Welcome to Nevada, @Kalpenn and @JohnTheCho! |url=https://twitter.com/KamalaForNevada/status/1842245850426462717}}{{Cite web |title=.@Kalpenn and @JohnTheCho are your favorite millennial's favorite millennial! |url=https://twitter.com/KamalaForNevada/status/1844168741107662915 |access-date=2024-10-09}}
Filmography
{{Pending films key}}
= Film =
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997
| data-sort-value="Jeff Foxworthy Show, The" | The Jeff Foxworthy Show | Pizza delivery man | Episode: "Twister of Fate" | |||
| 1998
| Felicity | Larry | Episode: "The Last Stand" | |||
| 1998
| Charmed | Mark Chao | Episode: "Dead Man Dating" | |||
| 2001
| Thomas Kim / Tantrum, Navigator (voices) | |||
| 2001–2002
| Chau Presley | Main role | |||
| 2002
| data-sort-value="Jamie Kennedy Experiment, The" | The Jamie Kennedy Experiment | Himself | 1 episode | |||
| 2005
| data-sort-value="Men's Room, The" | The Men's Room | Bob | 4 episodes | |||
| 2005
| Harvey Park | Episode: "Love Hurts" | |||
| 2005–2006
| Teddy Wong | Recurring role | |||
| 2006
| Marshall Stone | Episode: "Damage Case" | |||
| 2006–2023
| Vince Chung (voice) | 6 episodes | |||
| 2007
| Jefferson Coatsworth | Episode: "I'm Not That Guy" | |||
| 2007
| Kenny | 3 episodes | |||
| 2007
| data-sort-value="Til Death" | 'Til Death | Lucas Bender | Episode: "Come Out and Play" | |||
| 2008
| Himself | Episode: "It Happens" | |||
| 2009–2010
| Demetri Noh | Main role | |||
| 2010
| Park | Episode: "Frankfurters. Allman Brothers. Death. Frankfurters" | |||
| 2011
| data-sort-value="Thirty Rock" | 30 Rock | Lorne | Episode: "Double-Edged Sword" | |||
| 2011
| Chip | Episode: "The Birthday Part That Was Neither" | |||
| 2012–2013
| Go On | Steven | Main role | |||
| 2013–2014
| Andy Brooks | 7 episodes | |||
| 2014
| Selfie | Henry Higgs | Main role | |||
| 2015
| Lead improv-er (voice) | 2 episodes | |||
| 2015
| data-sort-value="Mindy Project, The" | The Mindy Project | Big Murder | Episode: "Lahiri Family Values" | |||
| 2016
| New Girl | Daniel | Episode: "Jury Duty" | |||
| 2016
| Sean Chew | Episode: "Holacracy" | |||
| 2016
| Episode: "Landmarks" | |||
| 2016
| Himself | Episode: "Ben Kingsley vs. John Cho" | |||
| 2016
| data-sort-value="Hindenburg Explodes!, The" | The Hindenburg Explodes! | Reggie | Pilot | |||
| 2017
| Todd Ross | 4 episodes | |||
| 2017
| data-sort-value="Exorcist, The" | The Exorcist | Andrew Kim | Main role (season 2) | |||
| 2017
| Do You Want to See a Dead Body? | Himself | Episode: "A Body and Some Quicksand" | |||
| 2019
| data-sort-value="Twilight Zone, The" | The Twilight Zone | Raff Hanks | |||
| 2020
| Home Movie: The Princess Bride | Episode: "Chapter Nine: Have Fun Storming The Castle!" | |||
| 2021
| Main role | |||
| 2023
| data-sort-value="Afterparty, The" | The Afterparty | "Funcle" Ulysses Zhu | |||
| 2023
| Bandit (voice) | | |||
| 2023
|Artbound |Himself |Season 14, episode 6: "East West Players: A Home on Stage";{{Citation |title=Artbound {{!}} East West Players: A Home on Stage {{!}} Season 14 {{!}} Episode 6 {{!}} KQED |date=October 19, 2023 |url=https://video.kqed.org/video/east-west-players-a-home-on-stage-xnwanj/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |language=en}} documentary | |||
| 2024
| data-sort-value="Sympathizer, The" | The Sympathizer | James Yoon | |||
| 2025
| | |||
| 2025
|Eknie Jef Chem (playing Captain Hossein) | |||
| 2025
| {{Pending series|Tempest}} |Anderson Miller | |||
| {{TableTBA}}
| {{Pending series|Rhona Who Lives by the River}} | D'John | |
= Stage =
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Year !Title |
| 1996
| data-sort-value="Taste of Kono Coffee, The" |The Taste of Kono Coffee |
| 1997
|F.O.B. |
| 2000
|My Broke Ass Pontificating Slapstick Funk |
=Web series=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role |
|---|
| 2015
| Parallel Man: Infinite Pursuit | Agent Nick Morgan |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Voice role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1997
| Lu Sun | {{cite web |url=https://www.mobygames.com/person/198870/john-cho/ |title=John Cho - MobyGames|publisher=MobyGames.com |access-date=August 26, 2023}} |
| 2003
| Additional characters | |
| 2013
| Hikaru Sulu |
= Audiobooks =
- Troublemaker (2022) - author and narrator
- Drop Dead (2024) - narrator
Discography
Band: Left of Zed
- Demo tape (1998)
- Album: Furious Bloom (2004)
Band: Viva La Union
- Album: Viva La Union (2009)
Bibliography
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
- {{Twitter}}
- {{Instagram}}
- {{IMDb name}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cho, John}}
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American singers
Category:21st-century American male singers
Category:American male actors of Korean descent
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:Male actors from Glendale, California
Category:Male actors from Seoul
Category:South Korean emigrants to the United States