John Cho

John Yohan Cho was born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 16, 1972, and immigrated to Los Angeles, California, with his family at the age of six in 1978. His father was a Christian minister. He attended Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale before pursuing English literature at the University of California at Berkeley, graduating in 1996. During his time at Berkeley, he toured nationally for a stage production of Maxine Hong Kingston’s “The Woman Warrior.” After graduation, Cho taught 7th grade English at Pacific Hills School in West Hollywood while developing his acting craft with the esteemed Asian American theatre company East West Players in Los Angeles. His early career included small roles in films such as “Wag the Dog” (1997) and “Bowfinger” (1999).

Cho gained significant recognition in 1999 with his role as “MILF Guy #2” in the teen comedy “American Pie,” a character he reprised in its sequels, becoming known as “John.” His career progressed with notable performances in the critical favorite “Better Luck Tomorrow” (2002), where his portrayal was described as having a “lazy magnetism” by The New York Times, and the cult classic “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” (2004). The “Harold & Kumar” franchise, specifically written for him, further solidified his comedic presence. A pivotal moment in his career was his casting as Hikaru Sulu in the 2009 “Star Trek” reboot, a role he made “ultimately and rather wonderfully his own,” according to Manohla Dargis of The New York Times. This role expanded his reach, demonstrating his capability in major studio productions and leading to continued steady work in Hollywood.

His filmography expanded to include the indie drama “Columbus” (2017) and the critically acclaimed thriller “Searching” (2018), where he became the first Asian American actor to headline a mainstream Hollywood thriller. On television, Cho made history as the first Asian American man to play a romantic lead in a U.S. romantic comedy series with “Selfie” (2014). He also held main roles in “FlashForward” (2009-2010), “Go On” (2012-2013), “The Exorcist” (2016), and “The Afterparty” (2023). Beyond acting, Cho is a singer for the band Viva La Union and authored the middle school novel “Troublemaker,” released in 2022. He continues to take on diverse roles, challenging stereotypes and advocating for Asian American representation in media.