Kenneth Choi, born on October 20, 1971, is an American actor known for his versatile roles in television and film. From playing the calculating Henry Lin in "Sons of Anarchy" to the memorable Chester Ming in Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street," and even Judge Lance Ito in "The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story," Choi has demonstrated a remarkable range throughout his career.
Early Life and Education
Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Korean immigrants, Kenneth Choi's upbringing was steeped in traditional values. His father, an electrical engineering professor and businessman, and his mother, a registered nurse turned stay-at-home mom, instilled in him the importance of pursuing a "responsible and reasonable" career. As the middle child of three, Choi attended Longwood Elementary in Glenwood, Illinois, and later Brookwood School District 167 for his intermediate and junior high education.
During his younger years, Choi showcased his athletic abilities as a breakdancer in junior high and later as a cross-country runner and gymnast at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. He even held the sophomore record for the pommel horse, demonstrating his dedication and skill in the sport.
Despite his passion for the performing arts, Choi's parents, particularly his father, discouraged his dreams of becoming an actor. Following their advice, he enrolled at Purdue University as an accounting major. However, he soon realized that his true calling lay elsewhere.
Pursuing the Dream: The Journey to Acting
Driven by his passion for acting, Choi made a life-altering decision to drop out of Purdue University and pursue his dream. He recounted, "I came from a very traditional Asian upbringing so they were very strict. When I decided to pursue acting, I knew that I had to do it all on my own. When I left the Midwest, I cut all ties with my family."
Read also: The Impact of Choi So-ra's Lifestyle
Choi moved to Portland, Oregon, where he began his acting career. Lacking prior work experience, he took a job at a Blockbuster video store to support himself while taking acting classes. His first role came in the Disney Channel television film "Halloweentown," alongside Debbie Reynolds.
In late 1999, Choi relocated to Los Angeles to further his acting career. He appeared in films such as "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Red Dawn," and "Suicide Squad." He also landed roles in various TV series, including "Longmire," "The Newsroom," "The Last Man on Earth," "Glee," "Heroes," "24," "Lincoln Heights," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," and "House M.D."
Reuniting with Family and Finding Success
After years of pursuing his acting career independently, Choi decided it was time to reconnect with his family. He learned that his aunt lived in Los Angeles and that his father often visited her. With the help of his brother, he arranged a meeting with his father.
Choi recalled the emotional reunion: "He was five years older, and he just put his arms out, gave me a hug, which he's never done his whole life. And then he said, 'I respect you for this.' It was the first time he said, 'I love you' to me, and it was the most amazing conversation I've ever had."
With his family's support, Choi's career began to flourish. He landed significant roles in "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "The Wolf of Wall Street," marking his breakthrough into mainstream success.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Gaining Weight for "The Wolf of Wall Street"
In Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street," Kenneth Choi played Chester Ming, a boisterous and memorable character. To embody the role, Choi gained 20 pounds, following Scorsese's direction to resemble "Oddjob from the James Bond movies."
Choi achieved this weight gain by indulging in fast food and ice cream. He explained, "Most of my preparation entailed eating as much food as I could! I received a note after I won the role that Martin Scorsese wanted me to gain twenty pounds as the character is described as “Oddjob from the James Bond movies.” Chester Ming is a bit of an enforcer for Leo’s character so it was important for him to have some real heft."
One of Choi's most memorable scenes in the film involved an interrogation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, where his character nonchalantly devours all the pastries on the table. This scene was largely improvised, adding to the comedic impact of his performance. "It's Chester Ming, he's a glutton," Choi says. "That was a surreal experience."
Working with Scorsese and DiCaprio
Choi described his experience working with Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese as incredibly rewarding. "They are both at the top of their games for a good reason. Amazingly talented! And, at the same time, both are very gracious and generous," he said. "They were both very accessible and made everyone around them feel at ease. So not only does your game elevate because you are working with some of the best, but you WANT to elevate your game because they are so gracious, generous, and nice."
Insights from "9-1-1" and Social Media
Choi is also known for his role as Chimney Han in the television series "9-1-1." He expressed his gratitude for the fans' support and talked about joining social media to connect with them. "I am because when you don’t have that feedback constantly, you just don’t know. I had a sense that people liked him through my colleagues; every now and then Oliver [Stark] would say, ‘Kenny, people really love you, they want you on social media, they want to interact, they think you’re wonderful.’ So when I actually go on social media, it is lovely to experience that. But on the other hand, you always have to keep a distance from it. Anybody who’s very successful and steps into the limelight and starts to believe their own press is in danger."
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?