Why aren't there very many Asian-American stars in Hollywood?

[missypie]

I don't have a drop of Asian blood in me, but I think that a whole lot of Asian guys are pretty darned handsome. One of the ministers at our church is Korean-American and he is way hot. We have another Korean-American staff member at church who is also cute as can be.

Why aren't there more Asian-American stars in Hollywood? I'm sure that there is no shortage of talented, attractive men and women. I know you couldn't, for example, cast an Asian- American as the lead in "Cold Mountain", but most movies aren't historical pieces. I know that there are martial arts movies with an Asian cast, but what about main stream movies? I think that "color blind" casting has done well in the past.

I recently heard an interview with an Indian (not native American) actor who is apparently called by Hollywood every time there is a role for a middle aged Indian guy. Why is he never called for roles for other middle aged guys?

I think Hollywood could do some good for a change if they cast movies to look like America really looks.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Thats an interesting thought. I can think of a few.

You know in the past, when they needed an ethnic actor they would just dress up a white person to look like "an American Indian". That was kind of weird, huh?

In Shakespearean times they would dress a man to play the part of a woman. Women weren't allowed to be actors. Thats interesting too.

 

[monkeyboy]

Reminds me of MASH

there were only a handful of Asian actors that played differnt roles throughout the shows run.

 

[rcyannacci]

The issue of color-blind casting is an important and interesting one.

There are quite a few Asian-American actors in both Hollywood and NY, but you're right that there aren't many "stars" or celebrities. Probably, they will become a mainstream presence once the money people determine that middle-America will pay to see them. Sad but the reality. It will probably take a break-out star to do this- someone who really shines in an independent film that does better than expected. Then studio head will be clamoring to "discover" more Asian-American actors.

BTW- I was just watching the Aladin DVD special features and saw Lea Salonga (sp?) singing "A Whole New World"- wonder what she is doing lately? She was so fantastic in Miss Siagon and as Jasmine.

 

[rcyannacci]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel


In Shakespearean times they would dress a man to play the part of a woman. Women weren't allowed to be actors. Thats interesting too.

Respectable women weren't often seen in public places, much less the stage . The thought was that if they were seen without an appropriate escort, how would they be able to protect their purity? When women did finally reach the stage in London, they were immediately seen as prostitutes, women in the public eye, and actresses fought this stigma for many, many years.

 

[Chicago526]

I've always scratched my head over it, too. For as liberal as Hollywood tends to be, they do tend to lag in hireing practices!

I think that most of it is, that if Hollywood execs feel that Americans will only pay to see white actors in staring rolls, then that's what they'll want cast. It's not that they themselves are raceist, it's just that they want to make sure the movie (a huge $$$ investment for the studio, after all) doesn't flop. I think that Hollywood doesn't trust the movies goers enough to cast more ethnic actors of any background, not just Asian.

But that's just me!

 

[KristaTX]

I have seen a few movies and tv shows with actresses of Asian descent in non-race specific roles, like the woman in Under the Tuscan Sun and maybe some of Lucy Liu's roles. But it does seem to be uncommon for men of Asian descent to be cast in race-neutral roles. Keanu Reeves is the only one I can think of right off hand, and he is only part Chinese.

 

[DawnCt1]

When I was a little girl, I loved the movie, "The World of Suzie Wong", or something like that. I don't remember much about the movie but Nancy Kwan, I think was the star and I always wondered why she wasn't in more movies.

 

[monkeyboy]

Kung Fu", the 1970's television series had David Carradine playing Chinese

 

[snoopy]

Originally posted by KristaTX
I have seen a few movies and tv shows with actresses of Asian descent in non-race specific roles, like the woman in Under the Tuscan Sun and maybe some of Lucy Liu's roles.

That actress was so terrific in that role. I hope we see more of her in the future.

I agree with everyone else on the thread -- most parts could be played by an actor of any race, but are usually given to white people. I think its a shame. I definately want to see great acting when I go see a film, thats my only criteria.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by rcyannacci
Respectable women weren't often seen in public places, much less the stage . The thought was that if they were seen without an appropriate escort, how would they be able to protect their purity? When women did finally reach the stage in London, they were immediately seen as prostitutes, women in the public eye, and actresses fought this stigma for many, many years.

That is so interesting. I love reading Shakespeare and going to the Festivals, but it's almost unbelievable that someone who wrote something so eloquent was a product of those times.

 

[KM2004]

Harold and Kumar, although not a smashing hit, is, in my recent memory, the first big movie to star 2 minorities as their leads (non-racially motivated roles). John Cho - Korean and Kal Penn - Indian American.

Better Luck Tomorrow, an independant film that was released in the main stream media, casted many asian-american actors as their leads in non-racially motivated roles as well.

I agree though, I too would like to see more minority actors of all races but time will tell.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by rcyannacci
BTW- I was just watching the Aladin DVD special features and saw Lea Salonga (sp?) singing "A Whole New World"- wonder what she is doing lately? She was so fantastic in Miss Siagon and as Jasmine.

Her voice is just amazing. I think I might look up her web site a little later and see if she's doing anything now. I can't imagine she's not, she's so talented.

 

[Crankyshank]

I agree. We need a more diverse group of actors on TV and in the movies.
Not just actors of different ethnicities, but also more plus sized ones, more "different" looking/less beautiful ones, etc...

The world is filled with fascinating and diverse looking people. It's time hollywood started reflecting that more.

 

[Deb in IA]

There are a few that have been somewhat successful:

Bruce Lee

Jackie Chan

Chow Yun-Fat (from Anna and the King, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Ming-Na (ER)

B.D. Wong (Law and Order: SVU)

Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels)

Tony Leung

Pat Morita (Karate Kid)

Margaret Cho (comedienne)

but I agree that there is always room for more!

 

[missypie]

I would think that on the basis of looks alone, some Asian-American man or woman would break through to super-stardom. Look at Halle Berry...people don't think "What a nice looking African American woman"...they think "Boy, is she gorgeous!"

Even ER seems to "type cast" Asians...Jing Mei, when she started, was "Deb" and quit med school for a while because of the stereotypical over achiever burning out issue. Then the Indian girl, Neela, quit med school because she was burned out after being forced into medicine to help her family rise out of the curry house business.

Think of the shows set in California, of all places, with no Asian presence. How did the girls in Full House manage to live in San Francisco and never make an Asian friend? On Seventh Heaven, I remember the Muslim girl episode, but none of the vast number of people the vast number of Camden's interact with seem to be Asian.

 

[missypie]

Originally posted by Crankyshank
I agree. We need a more diverse group of actors on TV and in the movies.
Not just actors of different ethnicities, but also more plus sized ones, more "different" looking/less beautiful ones, etc...

The world is filled with fascinating and diverse looking people. It's time hollywood started reflecting that more.

This is off topic, but a couple of weeks ago when Weekend Today did their "Fall Fashion Preview", they used all plus sized models. The feature wasn't "Fall Fashion Preview for Plus Sizes" but the normal fashion spot, only with plus sized models. The ladies looked terrific in the fall fashions...it was refreshing. Even last weekend, I forget what their fashion focus was (maybe weekend casual?), but one of the three models was plus sized. I think it's terrific that they're doing that. It's actually a very smart sales tactic...the more people who can imagine themselves in the outfits, the more clothes are sold!

 

[KristaTX]

Missypie - I am trying to think of an episode with an Asian friend on 7th Heaven, and I can't, either. But did you happen to see this week's episode? At one point Ruthie and the teenage boy who lives with them were standing around outside their school talking with a "random" group of students about politics. One was Asian-American, and he brought up North Korea. One was black, and he wanted to know what was being done about Africa. One was Muslim, and she brought up Iraq. And there were a few others. It was so full of stereotypes and so unrealistic that it was almost laughable. That show can be good, but this was probably the worst episode ever.

 

[MosMom]

Originally posted by Deb in IA
There are a few that have been somewhat successful:

Bruce Lee

Jackie Chan

Chow Yun-Fat (from Anna and the King, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Ming-Na (ER)

B.D. Wong (Law and Order: SVU)

Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels)

Tony Leung

Pat Morita (Karate Kid)

Margaret Cho (comedienne)

but I agree that there is always room for more!

Yes, and one of my favorite actresses...Sandra Oh

 

[KristaTX]

Oh yeah - and on 7th Heaven there was a Native American kid and an Italian American girl in the group. Oh well. . . at least the Italian girl had blonde hair and blue eyes .