Lewis Tan

{{Short description|American actor and martial artist (born 1987)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Lewis Tan

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Lewis Singwah Tan

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|02|04}}

| citizenship = {{hlist|United Kingdom|United States}}

| height =

| birth_place = Salford, England

| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|stuntman|model}}

| years_active = 2006–present

}}

Lewis Singwah Tan (born February 4, 1987) is an American actor, martial artist and model. He is known for his roles as Kung Jin in Mortal Kombat X: Generations, Cole Young in Mortal Kombat, Rusty Shatterstar in Deadpool 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, Tolya in Shadow and Bone, Sensei Wolf in Cobra Kai, and Lu Xin Lee in Wu Assassins.

He is the son of martial artist and actor Philip Tan.

Early life

Lewis Singwah Tan was born on February 4, 1987 in Salford, Greater Manchester, the eldest of four sons to Joanne Cassidy, an English retired fashion model and Philip Tan, a Chinese Singaporean martial artist, actor, and stunt coordinator.{{cite web|url=https://www.therakishgent.co.uk/pages/spotlight-mr-lewis-tan|title=SPOTLIGHT: Mr Lewis Tan|last=Hayer|first=Taj|work=The Rakish Gent|date=8 October 2020|access-date=8 October 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mochimag.com/mochi-magazine/the-underlying-truth-an-interview-with-lewis-tan|title=The Underlying Truth: An Interview with Lewis Tan|last=Duan|first=Virginia|work=Mochi|date=3 September 2019|access-date=19 October 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-04-24/mortal-kombat-star-lewis-tan-asian-cast|title='Something to prove': In 'Mortal Kombat,' Lewis Tan aims for more than movie stardom|last=Yamato|first=Jen|work=Los Angeles Times|date=24 April 2021|access-date=24 April 2021}} Tan's father trained him in martial arts from a young age. His brother Sam is an actor, his brother Ben is a director, and his brother Evan is a photographer.

At the age of one year, Tan's family moved from England to Los Angeles when his father was hired as a fight coordinator for Tim Burton's 1989 film Batman. He also lived in China, France, and Spain growing up. Tan began training in theatre in his early teens.{{cite web|url=https://schonmagazine.com/interview-lewis-tan/|title=Interview - Lewis Tan|last=Delgado|first=Sara|work=Schon Magazine|access-date=6 April 2019|date=18 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hapamag.com/hapa-mag-issue-003/interview-lewis-tan|title=Interview: Actor Lewis Tan|last=Slaughter|first=Melissa|work=Hapamag|access-date=6 April 2019|date=7 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://theimagista.com/lewis-tan/|title=Lewis Tan|last2=Williams|first2=Michelle|last1=Goulakos|first1=Katina|work=Imagista|access-date=6 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://vulkanmagazine.com/ux-portfolio/lewis-tan/|title=Lewis Tan|last=Bonnet|first=Alexandra|work=Vulkan Magazine|date=7 August 2019|access-date=7 August 2019}}

Career

Tan had small supporting roles in films such as The Hangover Part III and Olympus Has Fallen.{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/43870-lewis-tan-into-the-badlands-season-3-interview-deadpool-iron-fist|title=The Man Who Was Almost Iron Fist Trained with Wonder Woman|last=Francisco|first=Eric|work=Inverse|date=20 April 2018|access-date=6 April 2019}} He began working on television shows such as CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, NCIS: Los Angeles, Hawaii Five-0, 24, and Rush Hour.

In 2016, Tan was cast in a guest role in the first season of the Netflix television series Iron Fist. He starred in the role of Zhou Cheng. In the same year, Tan was cast in the action film Den of Thieves starring Gerard Butler.{{cite web|url=https://www.lewistan.com/about|title=Biography|access-date=27 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927113027/https://www.lewistan.com/about|archive-date=27 September 2017|url-status=dead}}

In 2018, Tan starred as Shatterstar in the superhero film Deadpool 2.{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/03/28/deadpool-2-shattestar-lewis-tan/|title='Deadpool 2': Lewis Tan of 'Iron Fist' Playing Shatterstar|last=Schmidt|first=Joseph|date=28 March 2018|website=Comicbook|access-date=12 April 2018}} Tan also starred as Gaius Chau in the third season of the AMC television series Into the Badlands.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/into-the-badlands-sherman-augustus-babou-ceesay-ella-rae-smith-season-3-series-regulars-1202176846/|title='Into The Badlands': Sherman Augustus, Babou Ceesay & Ella Rae-Smith Join Season 3 As Series Regulars|last = Petski|first = Denise|date = 26 September 2017|work = Deadline|access-date = 26 September 2017}} In the same year, it was announced that Tan was cast in the series regular role of Lu Xin Lee on the Netflix crime drama series, Wu Assassins.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/wu-assassins-katheryn-winnick-lewis-tan-tommy-flanagan-tzi-ma-netflix-martial-arts-drama-1202430151/|title='Wu Assassins': Katheryn Winnick, Lewis Tan, Tommy Flanagan & Tzi Ma Join Netflix Martial Arts Drama|last = Petski|first = Denise|date = 20 July 2018|work = Deadline|access-date = 3 September 2018}} Tan reprised his role in the sequel film Fistful of Vengeance;{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/wu-assassins-standalone-movie-netflix-fistful-of-vengeance-1234702006/|title='Wu Assassins' Standalone Movie Set At Netflix|last=Petski|first=Denise|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=26 February 2021|access-date=27 February 2021}} it was released on 17 February 2022.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/fistful-of-vengeance-trailer-wu-assassins-netflix/|title='Fistful of Vengeance' Trailer Reveals the 'Wu Assassins' Standalone Movie Coming to Netflix|website=Collider|first=Erick|last=Massoto|date=January 20, 2022|access-date=January 20, 2022}}

In August 2019, Tan was cast in the Mortal Kombat reboot as Cole Young.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/lewis-tan-jessica-mcnamee-josh-lawson-mortal-kombat-new-line-1202704502/|title=Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee and Josh Lawson Join 'Mortal Kombat' At New Line|first=Dino-Ray|last=Ramos|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=26 August 2019|access-date=27 August 2019}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/mortal-kombat-first-look-lewis-tan-joe-taslim-hiroyuki-sanada/|title=Mortal Kombat first look: Inside the R-rated reboot, fatalities and all|last=Romano|first=Nick|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=15 January 2021|access-date=15 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mortal-kombat-lewis-tan-salford-18148435|title=Ordsall's Mr Iron Fist: Mortal Kombat star Lewis Tan on how Greater Manchester made him|last=Vesty|first=Helena|work=Manchester Evening News|date=May 3, 2020|access-date=May 7, 2020}} The film was released on 23 April 2021.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mortal-kombat-release-date-delay-1234941072/|title='Mortal Kombat' Release Date Pushed Back|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|work=Variety|date=30 March 2021|access-date=30 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330214349/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mortal-kombat-release-date-delay-1234941072/|archive-date=March 30, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/mortal-kombat-release-date-james-wan-warner-bros-1202618026/|title='Mortal Kombat' Release Date Moved Up To Midwinter 2021 – Update|last1=Haring|first1=Bruce|website=Deadline|date=11 December 2019|access-date=21 August 2020}} He was previously involved with the Mortal Kombat media franchise when he underwent filming as Kung Jin for the unreleased web series Mortal Kombat X: Generations; Tan was recruited for the role by Garrett Warren, an experienced action director for live action media productions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.looper.com/394108/mortal-kombat-star-lewis-tan-weighs-in-on-who-should-play-johnny-cage-and-teases-a-risque-scene-in-fistful-of-vengeance-exclusive/|title=Mortal Kombat Star Lewis Tan Weighs In On Who Should Play Johnny Cage And Teases A Risque Scene In Fistful Of Vengeance - Exclusive Interview|first=Gil|last=Macias|date=April 27, 2021|website=Looper.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/movies/mortal-kombat-cast/|title=Meet the 'Mortal Kombat' cast and their video game characters|first1=Nick Romano|last1=September 02|first2=2019 at 11:00 AM|last2=EDT|website=EW.com}}

In April 2021, Tan was cast in the leading role of CIA officer Harris Chang on the upcoming television adaptation based on The Quantum Spy thriller novel by David Ignatius.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/lewis-tan-mortal-kombat-david-ignatius-quantum-spy-1234954803/|title='Mortal Kombat' Star Lewis Tan to Lead David Ignatius Series Adaptation 'Quantum Spy' (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Donnelly|first=Matt|work=Variety|date=19 April 2021|access-date=19 April 2021}} In May 2021, Tan was cast alongside Emma Roberts in the romantic comedy About Fate, which was directed by Marius Balčiūnas-Weisberg.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/mortal-kombat-lewis-tan-emma-roberts-in-about-fate-1234753760/|title='Mortal Kombat' Star Lewis Tan Joins Emma Roberts In 'About Fate'|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=11 May 2021|access-date=12 May 2021}}

In January 2022, it was announced that Tan would play Tolya Yul-Bataar in the second season of Netflix's Shadow and Bone.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/shadow-and-bone-season-2-lewis-tan-patrick-gibson-more-series-regulars-1234909681/|title='Shadow & Bone':'Mortal Kombat' Star Lewis Tan & 'The OA's Patrick Gibson Among Four Added To Season 2 Cast|website=Deadline|first=Alexandra|last=Del Rosario|date=January 13, 2022|access-date=January 13, 2022|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/shadow-and-bone-season-2-lewis-tan-1235153068/|title='Shadow and Bone' Season 2 Adds Lewis Tan and Three More to Cast|last=Murphy|first=J. Kim|work=Variety|date=January 13, 2022|access-date=January 13, 2022}}

In 2024, Tan was revealed to have joined the sixth season of Cobra Kai as a rival sensei.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cobra-kai-season-6-part-2-cast-first-look-photos-1236034401/|title=Lewis Tan Joins ‘Cobra Kai’ Season 6, Part 2, as Sensei Wolf|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 17, 2024|access-date=November 16, 2024}}

Tan is known for performing his own stunts, using multiple styles including Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Ju-Jitsu, and Japanese katana swordplay.

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
rowspan="2" \| 2006 \| The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift \| \| Stunts
Mini's First Time \| Skatepunk #2 \|
2007 \| Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End \| \| Stunts
2008 \| Red Velvet \| Maniac \|
rowspan="2" \| 2013 \| Olympus Has Fallen \| Korean commando \| Stunts
The Hangover Part III \| Prison guard \| Stunts
2015 \| Sacrifice \| Ben Kittman \|
rowspan="2" \| 2018 \| Den of Thieves \| Secret Service Lobby Guard #1 \|
Deadpool 2 \| Rusty Shatterstar \|
2019 \| Ji \| Ji \| Short film
2021 \| Mortal Kombat \| Cole Young \|
rowspan="3" \| 2022 \| Fistful of Vengeance \| Lu Xin Lee \|
About Fate \| Kip \|
Babylon \| Party Attendee \|
2024 \| Deadpool & Wolverine \| Rusty Shatterstar \|
2025 \| Mortal Kombat 2 \| Cole Young \| Post-production
rowspan="2" \| TBA \| Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice \| {{TBA}} \| Post-production
Lioness \| {{TBA}} \| Post-production

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

rowspan="2" | 2006

| The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

| Stunts

Mini's First Time

| Skatepunk #2

2007

| Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

| Stunts

2008

| Red Velvet

| Maniac

rowspan="2" | 2013

| Olympus Has Fallen

| Korean commando

| Stunts

The Hangover Part III

| Prison guard

| Stunts

2015

| Sacrifice

| Ben Kittman

rowspan="2" | 2018

| Den of Thieves

| Secret Service Lobby Guard #1

Deadpool 2

| Rusty Shatterstar

2019

| Ji

| Short film

2021

| Mortal Kombat

| Cole Young

rowspan="3" | 2022

| Fistful of Vengeance

| Lu Xin Lee

About Fate

| Kip

Babylon

| Party Attendee

2024

| Deadpool & Wolverine

| Rusty Shatterstar

2025

| Mortal Kombat 2

| Cole Young

| Post-production

rowspan="2" | TBA

| Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice

| {{TBA}}

| Post-production

Lioness

| {{TBA}}

| Post-production

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
2006 \| CSI: NY \| Kym Tanaka \|
rowspan="2" \| 2007 \| Day Break \| Jimmy Yan \| Stunt double
24 \| \| Stunt double
2010 \| CSI: Miami \| Aiko Okanagi \|
rowspan="2" \| 2011 \| NCIS: Los Angeles \| Hiro Yakuza \|
The Protector \| Zachary \|
2013 \| The Girlfriend \| Bruce Wayne / Batman \| Short
2014 \| 10,000 Days \| Jiro Farnwell \| Television film
2015 \| Hawaii Five-0 \| Luke Nakano \| Season 6, Ep. 10: Ka Makau Kaa Kaua
2016 \| Rush Hour \| Chen \| Episode 5
2017 \| Iron Fist \| Zhou Cheng \| Season 1, Ep. 8: "The Blessing of Many Fractures"
2018–2019 \| Into the Badlands \| Gaius Chau \| Main cast (Season 3)
2019 \| Wu Assassins \| Lu Xin Lee \| Main cast
2022 \| Bling Empire \| Himself \|
2023 \| Shadow and Bone \| Tolya Yul-Bataar \| Main cast (Season 2)
2024–2025 \| Cobra Kai \| Feng Xiao / Sensei Wolf \| Recurring role (Season 6)
TBA \| Quantum Spy \| Harris Chang \| Lead role

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2006

| CSI: NY

| Kym Tanaka

rowspan="2" | 2007

| Day Break

| Jimmy Yan

| Stunt double