Randall Park

Randall Park
Greg2600 · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Randall Park
Birth date	23 March 1974
Birth place	Los Angeles
Occupation	Actor, Comedian, Writer, Producer, Director
Years active	1997–present

Randall Park is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer known for roles across film, television, and theater. He gained prominence through performances in ensemble comedies, dramatic roles, and filmmaking, collaborating with diverse creators and institutions in Hollywood, Broadway, and independent cinema. Park's career spans mainstream studio projects, streaming series, and socially conscious productions, earning critical recognition and industry awards.

Early life and education

Park was born in Los Angeles and raised in the Koreatown neighborhood, part of a Korean American family with ties to South Korea. He attended Granada Hills Charter High School and later studied Political science at California State University, Northridge before transferring to UCLA where he pursued studies in performance. Early influences included visits to local theaters, exposure to Asian American theater companies such as Theater Mu and East West Players, and mentorship from instructors connected to The Public Theater and regional companies. During his student years he collaborated with peers who later worked at Saturday Night Live, The Second City, and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

Career

Park began performing in Los Angeles improv and sketch venues including Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, where he worked alongside performers associated with Second City, Mad TV, and sketch collectives that fed talent into Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Early television appearances included guest spots on ER, The Office, and recurring roles on Angel and The Big Bang Theory. He co-created web series and short films screened at festivals such as Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and SXSW, partnering with producers who had credits on Get Out, Moonlight, and Lady Bird.

Park broke through with the role of Danny Chung on the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, working with creators who had ties to Conan O'Brien and The Late Show with David Letterman. He expanded into film with roles in The Interview, directed by filmmakers connected to Veep and Pineapple Express, and in The Internship. Park wrote and starred in the independent film Always Be My Maybe, collaborating with producers from Netflix and writers who had worked on Crazy Rich Asians and The Big Sick. He later portrayed political figures in projects about President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump, and served as a lead in streaming series produced by Marvel Studios, Hulu, and Amazon Studios.

In addition to acting, Park has directed episodes for network and streaming series, produced stage productions at venues like Geffen Playhouse and Mark Taper Forum, and participated in voice work for animated projects from Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, and Netflix Animation. He has voiced characters in collaborations with writers and directors from Adventure Time, Bob's Burgers, and The Simpsons. Park’s collaborations include cast and crew who have worked on Hamilton (musical), Avenue Q, Book of Mormon (musical), and films from Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., and Universal Pictures.

Personal life

Park is married to actress and producer Jae Suh Park, with whom he has a daughter. The family resides in Los Angeles County. He is active in advocacy and fundraising with organizations such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, and arts nonprofits connected to Carnegie Hall outreach programs. Park has participated in benefit events alongside performers from Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and philanthropic initiatives with foundations linked to Smithsonian Institution and National Endowment for the Arts.

Filmography

Film - The Interview (role) — distributed by Sony Pictures - The Internship (role) — produced by Warner Bros. Pictures - Ant-Man and the Wasp (cameo) — Marvel Studios - Always Be My Maybe (writer, star) — Netflix (service) - The Dictator (supporting) — Paramount Pictures - Focus (supporting) — Warner Bros. Pictures - People Like Us (supporting) — MGM - The Other Guys (supporting) — Columbia Pictures - Crush (supporting) — Fox Searchlight Pictures

Television - Fresh Off the Boat (lead) — ABC Network - Veep (guest) — HBO - The Office (guest) — NBC - Parks and Recreation (guest) — NBC - Marvel's WandaVision (supporting) — Marvel Studios / Disney+ - Drunk History (guest) — Comedy Central - BoJack Horseman (voice) — Netflix Animation - The Simpsons (guest voice) — Fox Broadcasting Company - Saturday Night Live (host/guest) — NBC - Brooklyn Nine-Nine (guest) — Fox Broadcasting Company / NBC

Theatre - Regional productions at Center Theatre Group - Workshops with New Dramatists and Roundabout Theatre Company - Benefit readings organized by The Public Theater

Video games / Animation (selected) - Voice roles in titles from Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts

Awards and nominations

Park has received nominations and awards from institutions including Critics' Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globe Awards (ensemble recognitions), Peabody Awards (series honors), and festival prizes at Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival. He has been honored by community organizations such as Asian American Journalists Association and Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment for contributions to representation.

Category:American actors Category:American comedians Category:American film directors Category:1974 births Category:Living people