Asian actors have been part of the American entertainment industry since the 19th century, yet they continue to fight for opportunities outside stereotypical roles. Hollywood should cast Asians in non-heritage roles to ensure they are given the chance to showcase original stories that reflect the full range of their experiences.
Every year, Hollywood welcomes a distinguished group of rising talents, yet, of the many actors that have cemented their place in the industry this past year, only a select few come from minority backgrounds, and even fewer of Asian heritage, according to junior Irene Qi.
“I think there has been a lack of newer Asian actors in cinema,” Qi said. “I wouldn’t say modern [movies] as a whole, but the movies that have been coming out these years. It’s almost like we’re going back to the traditional white [narrative] focus.”
According to a 2025 study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), minority actors accounted for 24.8% of theatrical leads in 2024, a notable decrease from the 29.2% in 2023. The report indicates that studios have long abandoned intersectional initiatives, and many have dismantled diversity programs in their entirety in the wake of the rise of conservatism, according to the Los Angeles Times. Among minority groups, Asian actors saw the steepest decline, falling from 6.6% in 2023 to 2.9% in 2024.
Additionally, even when studios showcase films with greater diversity, they often fail to provide meaningful representation of their minority actors. For instance, throughout the early 2000s-2010s, Asian actors were regularly reduced to comedic devices that reinforced Western stereotypes of Asian masculinity rather than characters with actual depth.
The 2009 Warner Bros. comedy “The Hangover” shows Korean-American actor Ken Jeong portraying a mafia boss, Leslie Chow, with an overtly high-pitched “Asian” accent, despite Jeong having lived in the U.S his entire life. Studios must prioritize telling genuine stories rather than relying on surface-level diversity, according to sophomore Alvin Liang.
“I would definitely like to see more Asian actors in Hollywood,” Liang said. “But I don’t want it to be a random Asian person appearing on screen just for the sake of diversity. I want to see Hollywood showcase real, authentic Asian stories.”
That said, the decline of minority actors — including that of Asian actors — may not be as intentional as frequently portrayed. Casting directors consider a range of factors when choosing their actors, according to Cinemaniacs Club Vice President and junior Cole Bitterlich.
“Most of the time, when they’re picking [actors], and particularly when they’re picking a new actor, they try to find a very specific role [for the actor],” Bitterrlich said.
However, this claim shows a limited understanding of behind-the-scenes decisions in Hollywood, as studios tend to allocate larger funds and approve more projects centered on white experiences. This issue persists, even as statistics show stronger median box office performance for films with more diverse casts, according to Digital Content Next (DCN).
This contradiction is especially evident in streaming and television, as the South Korean show “Squid Game” has held the most-watched position on Netflix for nearly five years, according to Forbes. And while the show incorporates elements of South Korean culture, its critique of late-stage capitalism is universal. The show itself notes on the ubiquity of class disparity by suggesting that other versions of the “Squid Game” exist around the world. Essentially, the success of Squid Game proves that a narrative’s universal message transcends the race of its actors.
Ultimately, Hollywood’s shift in opportunity demands an important question: How can Asian actors expect full creative representation if the industry is willing to overlook their stories at the first sign of a shift in dominant political viewpoint?
