Prepare to go Beyond with our John Cho movies and TV spotlight
Movie and television star John Cho has been a working actor since his first appearance in American Pie and it’s sequel. He went on to become known as Harold in the Harold and Kumar trilogy and is currently playing Hikaru Sulu in Paramount Pictures‘ Star Trek franchise. He’s also had several stints in television shows such as Ugly Betty and Selfie.
Let’s take look at Cho’s most memorable performances showcasing his talent and demonstrating that its about time to have more movies #StarringJohnCho.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: American Pie (1999)
Starting off a bit player, Cho stole the scene as MILF Guy #2, who later became John (with a bigger role) in Universal Pictures‘ subsequent American Pie films. His character popularized the term, which went on to live in pop culture infamy.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: Better Luck Tomorrow (2002)
Cho and current Star Trek: Beyond director Justin Lin collaborated back in ’02 on this drama that centered around a group of Asian Americans living in Los Angeles. It depicts the lives of academically-successful young adults who look for fun outside of the box society put them in. The film received critical acclaim and, thanks to Lin’s partnership with star Sung Kang, is even an unofficial entry in the Fast and the Furious franchise.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: Big Fat Liar (2002)
Originally asked to do an accent as a director in the world of the film, Cho worked with the kid flick’s actual director to reconfigure the character to not have one. He appeared alongside Frankie Muniz, Amanda Bynes and Paul Giamatti.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
John Cho’s first major leading role came in 2004’s stoner buddy movie Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. Along with co-star Kal Penn, the pair went on to become a cult success as two buddies who get high and go on a quest to acquire delicious White Castle burgers, but find trouble along the way.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: Ugly Betty (2007)
On the television front with small roles here and there, Cho eventually went on to land a recurring role on ABC‘s hit series Ugly Betty. He got to play Kenny, the best friend to accountant Henry Grubstick.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)
In the second installment of the stone comedy favorite, Harold and Kumar find themselves mistaken for terrorists on their way to Amsterdam and get shipped off to maximum security prison Guantanamo Bay. Cho’s character is partially a romantic lead, as his character attempted to chase the affections of their neighbor before another series of unfortunate events befell the duo. There’s also another cameo by Neil Patrick Harris.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: Star Trek (2009)
In the 2009 J.J. Abrams-directed reboot of the popular sci-fi series, John Cho co-starred as Hikaru Sulu, the role originated by George Takei. In the film, Abrams follows an alternate timeline to the original Star Trek series that starred William Shatner as Captain Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock who were re-imagined in new film by Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto respectively with Cho alongside.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: Flashforward (2009-2010)
In the short-lived television show, Cho starred as Detective Noh. The ABC series, which took place in the wake of an event that caused the Earth’s population to witness their future, hoped to pick up steam after the release of Star Trek but still failed to meet commercial success.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)
The third film the Harold and Kumar series is a 3D spectacle Christmas movie which brought back a lot of the elements from the first two films and more Neil Patrick Harris. It centers around the estranged friends coming back together just in time for Christmas but not without a lot of holiday mayhem. And of course, the two being super lit.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: American Reunion (2012)
The original seniors of the first few American Pie films return for the reunion in this 2012 installment of the comedy franchise. John Cho returned to play a now much more bolstered up role as John (No longer just MILF Guy #2) who organizes the reunion in the movie.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Cho reprised his role as Sulu in J.J. Abrams‘ sequel to his first Star Trek film. Into Darkness was successful despite being met with mixed reviews. It did solidly enough to still push for a third film in the franchise, Star Trek Beyond, which opens this year with all of it’s current cast. It will also reunite Cho with director Justin Lin.
John Cho Movies And Television Spotlight: Selfie (2014-2015)
In the ABC sitcom, which re-imagined George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion and musical My Fair Lady into a modern day romantic series, Cho starred as Henry Higgs. His character was the first Asian American romantic lead on television as he played the character who helped the show’s lead Eliza (Karen Gillan) find herself outside of her curated social media persona while also falling in love with her best self(ie). Very much like Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins in the musical with current themes. The show unfortunately tanked and was canceled too soon.
What’s your favorite John Cho role? Let us know in the comments below!
