Cover From left: Andrew Pong, Lewis Tan and Jason Tobin (Photos: Zed Leets and Arlo Pyne / Tatler Hong Kong)
From left: Andrew Pong, Lewis Tan and Jason Tobin (Photos: Zed Leets and Arlo Pyne / Tatler Hong Kong)
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In this series, Tatler profiles mixed-race actors who practise martial arts and are fostering diversity and representation in Hollywood, television and beyond
Bruce Lee was one of the first actors to upend Asian stereotypes in Hollywood, with his martial arts skills and lead roles in the likes of Fist of Fury (1972) and Enter the Dragon (1973). Other actors of Asian descent challenging the typecasting in western cinema include Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh, Jet Li and Jackie Chan, who have all appeared in martial arts or action films.
While in recent years Hollywood has welcomed more actors of Asian descent compared to years past, there is still plenty of room for improvement when it comes to racial diversity on screen.
Here, Tatler speaks with three Eurasian martial arts and action actors, who have recently starred in productions by Marvel, HBO, Netflix and Disney+. They reveal their casting and filming experiences in the industry, why they took up martial arts and how they are working hard to make a difference.
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Jason Tobin
Above Jason Tobin shadow boxing at his studio (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong / Arlo Pyne)
Jason Tobin shadow boxing at his studio (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong / Arlo Pyne)
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Jason Tobin, who appears in Warrior and A Thousand Blows, tells Tatler how martial arts have helped him find his place in the world, from self-defence to landing diverse acting roles.
Lewis Tan
Above Lewis Tan wears Zegna outerwear and knitwear (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong / Zed Leets)
Lewis Tan wears Zegna outerwear and knitwear (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong / Zed Leets)
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Lewis Tan, who appears in Deadpool and Wolverine and Mortal Kombat, tells Tatler that he has his father to thank for his interest in his craft, and in telling diverse stories.
Andrew Pong
Above Andrew Pong in a white crane kungfu pose (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
Andrew Pong in a white crane kungfu pose (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
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Andrew Pong, a martial arts and movie stunt studio founder who appears in Agent Recon, tells Tatler that he wants to bridge cultures through his craft.
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Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
