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Jackie Chan -

The iconic actor doesn’t just fight on screen; he flies, flips, and makes us laugh. From 'Drunken Master' (1978) to the 'Rush Hour' franchise (potentially adding a fourth installment in 2025), his daring stunts and comedic timing redefined action cinema. As a director and producer, he solidified his legacy with films like 'Police Story' (1985) and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002.

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Michelle Kwan -

The legendary figure skater won two Olympic medals—silver in 1998 and bronze in 2002—along with five golds, three silvers, and one bronze at the World Championships, making her the most decorated figure skater in US history. Kwan later entered politics, being nominated as US Ambassador to Belize in 2022.

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Bruce Lee (1940-1973) -

Bruce Lee, born Lee Jun-fan in San Francisco and raised in Hong Kong, became a 20th-century pop culture icon by revolutionizing martial arts on screen. He rose to global fame in the 1970s, starting with 'The Green Hornet' (1966-67) and later starring in hits like 'The Big Boss' (1971) and 'Enter the Dragon' (1973). Lee posthumously received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993, following his sudden death in 1973.

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Lucy Liu -

Recipient of a Critics’ Choice Television Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, Liu is the second Asian-American woman to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She gained global fame for 'Charlie's Angels' (2000) after her Emmy-nominated breakout role in the TV show 'Ally McBeal' (1997–2002). Liu’s film credits include 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003) and 'Chicago' (2002).

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Jet Li -

Before breaking into Hollywood, Li was already a wushu prodigy (China's national sport combining martial arts and performance). He won five national titles, claiming his first gold medal at just 11. Li's breakout role in 'Shaolin Temple' (1982) ignited China's '80s kung fu craze. He became a Hong Kong action star, directed 'Born to Defence' (1988), and later appeared in films like 'Lethal Weapon 4' (1998) and the 2020 'Mulan' live-action remake.

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Anna May Wong (1905-1961) -

Considered the first global Chinese-American movie star, the actress appeared in over 50 films, including The 'Toll of the Sea' (1922) and 'Shanghai Express' (1932). Despite facing racism and criticism, she became a symbol of elegance and sophistication. In 1960, Wong was the first Asian-American actress inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the first Asian-American to appear on US currency through the American Women Quarters Program.

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Olivia Munn -

Munn began her TV career in 2004 as a reporter and host before gaining prominence with her role in 'The Newsroom' (2012-2015). In March 2024, she revealed her breast cancer diagnosis from the previous year and has since become an advocate for awareness, earning a spot on Time magazine's 2025 Women of the Year list.

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Julie Chu -

The Olympic hockey player made history as the first Asian American and first Chinese American woman to play for the US Olympic ice hockey team, competing in the 2002 and 2006 games. She won the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2007 as the best female collegiate hockey player.

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Ke Huy Quan -

Born in Vietnam to Han Chinese parents from the Hoa ethnic group, Quan speaks English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. He began acting at 13, landing roles in 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' (1984) and 'The Goonies' (1985). After a 20-year hiatus, Quan returned to acting in 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022), winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. 

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Ali Wong -

Wong skyrocketed to fame with her bold 2016 Netflix comedy special 'Baby Cobra,' filmed while she was seven months pregnant. Her standout role in the series 'Beef' (2023) earned her both a Golden Globe and an Emmy, making history as the first Asian American woman to win an Emmy for Best Lead Actress. In 2024, she took home a second Golden Globe for her fourth Netflix special, 'Single Lady.'

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James Hong -

Pioneer Chinese-American actor, producer, and director, Hong has appeared in films like 'Big Trouble in Little China' (1986), 'Kung Fu Panda' (2008), and 'Beast Mode' (2020). In 2023, the veteran actor received a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role as Gong Gong in 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022). Hong received his Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2023, becoming its oldest honoree.

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Jennifer Tilly -

Born Jennifer Ellen Chan, the American-Canadian actress has a diverse heritage, with a Chinese father and an Irish, Finnish, and First Nations mother. Known for 'Bullets Over Broadway' (1994), which earned her an Oscar nomination, she also voices Bonnie Swanson on the animated series 'Family Guy.' Tilly is also a successful poker player, winning a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2005.

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Victor Sen Yung (1915-1980) -

Born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents, Yung (left) began his acting career in the late 1930s. He gained prominence portraying Charlie Chan's son in the fictional detective film series from 1938 to 1942. On television, Yung is perhaps best remembered as Hop Sing in the long-running series 'Bonanza' (1959–1973), appearing in 102 episodes.

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Ming-Na Wen -

One of Hollywood’s most influential Asian stars, Wen is best known for voicing Mulan in the 1998 Disney animated classic. She debuted in 'The Joy Luck Club' (1993), the first major studio film with a predominantly Asian cast, but gained global recognition for her role in 'The Mandalorian' (2019) and 'Star Wars: The Bad Batch' (2021). In 2023, she earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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BD Wong -

Wong made history with his performance as Song Liling in 'M. Butterfly,' becoming the only actor to receive the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Clarence Derwent, and Theatre World Awards for the same role. He also starred in TV shows like 'Law & Order: SVU' and 'Oz,' and played Dr. Henry Wu in the 'Jurassic Park' franchise. Wong has been a vocal advocate for Asian-American representation and LGBTQ+ rights in the arts.

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Vera Wang -

Wang started as a figure skater before shifting to fashion, working as an editor at Vogue and an accessories designer at Ralph Lauren. In 1990, she opened her bridal boutique, transforming the industry with her elegant designs. Wang later expanded into menswear, jewelry, fragrances, and more.

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Chien-Shiung Wu (1912–1997) -

Known as the "First Lady of Physics," Dr. Wu played a key role in the Manhattan Project, helping develop the atomic bomb, and later proved that the laws of physics don't always remain the same, even if particles are mirror images of each other, challenging the principle of "parity conservation." Despite her groundbreaking discovery, her male colleagues won the Nobel Prize for this work. Wu earned many honors, including the 1975 National Medal of Science.

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Anthony Brandon Wong -

The award-winning actor has starred in over 40 TV shows and 30 stage productions worldwide. He is best recognized for his portrayal of Ghost, the Zen Buddhist assassin in 'The Matrix Reloaded' (2003) and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003) films. He also voiced the lead character in the 'Enter the Matrix' video game. Wong's career spans the US, Canada, Asia, Europe, and beyond.

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Judy Chu -

In July 2009, Chu was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing California's 32nd congressional district. Following redistricting, she has represented California's 27th congressional district since 2013. Notably, she is the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress. Throughout her tenure, she has been recognized for building cross-ethnic coalitions and advocating for diverse communities.​

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Helen Hong -

The actress, writer, and producer is known for roles in the TV series 'Silicon Valley' (2014-2019), 'Never Have I Ever' (2020–2023), and in the Coen brother's feature 'Inside Llewyn Davis' (2013). She is also a recurring panelist on NPR’s 'Wait Wait Don't Tell Me' podcast, and hosts the trivia podcast 'Go Fact Yourself.'

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Michael Chang -

Tennis champion Michael Chang started competing at 15, breaking several "youngest player" records. At 17, he became the first American male to win the French Open since 1955 and remains the only Asian player in the top 10 world rankings. Chang retired at 31 in 2003 after his seventeenth US Open.

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Harry Shum, Jr. -

Shum gained prominence for his role as Mike Chang on the television series 'Glee' (2009–2015). Born to Chinese immigrant parents, Shum moved to the US at age six. Before acting, he danced for artists like Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Beyoncé. He also portrayed Magnus Bane in 'Shadowhunters' (2016–2019) and Dr. Benson Kwan in 'Grey's Anatomy' (2005–present). ​

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Kara Wang -

Fluent in Mandarin and the Hangzhou dialect, the actress spent five years working in Asia before returning to Los Angeles. She has had recurring roles on shows like 'Good Trouble' (2019–2024) and Amazon's 'Goliath' (2016–2021). She has also appeared as Lt. Callie "Halo" Bassett in 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022).

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Brianne Tju -

Tju broke through Hollywood with standout performances in TV series like 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (2021) and 'The First' (2018). Fluent in Mandarin, she has also appeared in 'Light as a Feather' (2018-2019) and 'Scream' (2022). As her career continues to rise, Tju's versatility and presence in both mainstream and streaming projects highlight her commitment to breaking barriers for Asian-American actors.

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Melissa Lee -

The news anchor is known for her insightful financial reporting. Lee's professional career includes significant roles at Bloomberg Television and CNN Financial News before joining CNBC in 2004. At CNBC, she hosts the daily program 'Fast Money' and has received two Emmy Award nominations for 'Business News.'

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Maya Lin -

The renowned architect and sculptor gained national recognition for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which challenged traditional memorial aesthetics with its minimalist approach. In 2009, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Obama for her groundbreaking contributions to American art and architecture.

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Garrett Wang -

Wang attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he majored in Asian studies and discovered his passion for acting. His role as Harry Kim in 'Star Trek: Voyager' (1995–2001) marked a significant milestone in Asian representation on American television, offering a nuanced portrayal of an Asian character in a major science fiction series.

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Danni Wang -

Wang gained recognition for her roles in television series such as 'The Morning Show' (2019), 'Magnum P.I.' (2018), and 'Sight' (2023). In addition to her acting career, Wang explores the intersection of art, technoscience, and nature, integrating her background in landscape architecture and media arts.

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Yo-Yo Ma -

The renowned French-born American cellist of Chinese descent began studying the cello with his father at age four. At seven, he moved with his family to New York City, where he continued his studies at the Juilliard School and later at Harvard University. Throughout his illustrious career, Yo-Yo Ma has collaborated across various musical genres, earning multiple Grammy Awards.

Sources: (IMDb) (Prestige Online) (Ranker) (Southern Connecticut State University)

See also: Famous Korean Americans of past and present

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