Fresh Air Actor/Comic Jimmy O. Yang Breaks Out Of The Background
Nov 18, 2024
Jimmy O. Yang, a stand-up comic and actor celebrated for his roles in 'Silicon Valley' and 'Crazy Rich Asians,' shares his journey in the entertainment industry. He discusses his new Hulu series, 'Interior Chinatown,' which highlights the invisibility faced by Asian Americans. Yang shares personal stories of navigating cultural identity and family dynamics, and how stand-up comedy became a liberating medium for self-expression. He also reflects on the importance of genuine representation in comedy and the challenges of feeling like an outsider.
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From Background to Center Stage
- In Interior Chinatown, Jimmy O. Yang's character, Willis Wu, is a background actor who becomes central to a crime story.
- This mirrors Yang's own career progression from background roles to starring roles.
Personal Connection to the Story
- Jimmy O. Yang felt a strong connection to Interior Chinatown because it resonated with his experience as an Asian American actor.
- The story reflected his personal struggle with feeling like an outsider and his journey from background roles to prominence.
Sneaking In
- To enter a police station for a case, Yang's character pretends to be a delivery guy, highlighting the show's subversion of stereotypes.
- This reflects Yang's own experience of having to "sneak in" to the industry and overcome expectations.
