John Cho has a long history on promoting diversity in Hollywood. Here are 5 ways you never knew John Cho stood up for diversity in Hollywood
John Cho is known for his roles in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and most recently in the Star Trek franchise. However, the 44 year old actor, has been working inside Hollywood’s biggest movies for over two decades and as an Asian-American actor he has had his fair share of obstacles to overcome. In fact, in an interview with Fast Company, the actor revealed how he took a stand against what he thought could have part and how he actually led to a positive change for the film.
5. John Cho wanted to change Hollywood
John Cho recalled in the interview how he wanted to change Hollywood for the better after seeing little to no diversity as a kid.
“I remember being a kid watching TV and movies, as someone who was born in Korea and came over to the United States as six years old, and being bummed at the imagery that was on television and in the movies and never seeing anyone that looked like me doing anything positive, perhaps with the exception of George Takei on Star Trek.”
4. Cho made a decision not to play stereotypical roles
John Cho decided early on not to play a role in a stereotypical fashion during auditions.
“I got this audition for this movie called Big Fat Liar (2002). When I got there I realized I was supposed to be playing this film director from Hong Kong with this very thick accent. I thought, ‘Oh, shit, I don’t know if I want to do this.’ I felt that kids might find themselves laughing at a guy with an accent in a comedy, even though I felt the part wasn’t written to make fun of the accent, I felt that the accent could be inadvertently laughed at. I thought about it and I told them no.”
3. John Cho pushed for diversity even when he didn’t land a role
John Cho ended up getting a bigger role in the movie by standing for what he believed in and not playing into the stereotypes of Asian American men and women. He continues, “I got a callback surprisingly from the director, Shawn Levy, and he said, ‘Well, if you’re not comfortable with that, let’s figure something else out.’ And it was just an early moment where I took a risk and a director was willing and kind enough to take that risk with me.”
2. John Cho continues to support those who speak their mind
“When one does speak one’s mind, one might be surprised at how receptive people are,” explained.
1. John Cho on Chinatown Season
John Cho explained that he started getting more opportunities as an actor once popular TV shows such as Law & Order started doing episodes set in Chinatown. But, he decided to do auditions in a way that reflected positively to his community. “I don’t think it’s a great experience to have a big role in something you don’t feel good about,” he says.
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