Russell Wong

Asian-American actor Russell Wong first appeared on film as a dancer in music videos of the '80s, leading to his first film role in the musical "Ge wu sheng ping." His first English-language film, "Tai-Pan," based on the novel by James Clavell, led to a supporting role in 1987's re-telling of "Romeo and Juliet," "China Girl." Gaining exposure, Wong had a breakthrough role in 1989 as Ben Loy in Wayne Wang's indie romance "Eat a Bowl of Tea," an exploration of culture and love. Continuing to make Chinese films, he starred in "China White," about the drug trade, in 1989. Expanding his range, Wong was cast in Mario Van Peebles's directorial debut, "New Jack City," starring Wesley Snipes as a ruthless drug lord.

Working with Wang again in 1993, Wong was cast as Lin Xiao in the Asian-American drama "The Joy Luck Club." Based on the book by Amy Tan, the film follows four women and their daughters in transition between cultures. The following year Wong took on the role of Jian-Wa in the made-for-tv actioner "Vanishing Son," spawning three other TV movies and a series that ran for 13 episodes in 1995. In the '00s Wong continued to appear in martial arts-centered parts like Kai in "Romeo Must Die," but broke out of the Asian stereotype with roles like Lieutenant Tong in the Ashley Judd thriller "Twisted" and as Frank in the David Ogden thriller "Inside Out."