Manny Jacinto

With a career marked by depth, charisma and daring choices, Manny Jacinto continues to redefine the image of Asian men in Hollywood. Born in Manila on 19 August 1987 and raised in Canada, Jacinto’s journey from civil engineering student to acclaimed actor is as compelling as the characters he plays. His breakout role as Jason Mendoza in NBC’s The Good Place challenged Hollywood stereotypes, presenting a refreshingly humorous Asian character.

Since then, Jacinto has navigated a dynamic path, from Top Gun: Maverick and Bad Times at the El Royale to joining the Star Wars universe as Qimir/The Stranger in Disney’s The Acolyte, a performance lauded for its intensity and nuance. In 2025, he starred opposite Lindsay Lohan in Disney’s Freakier Friday—the highly anticipated sequel to cult favourite Freaky Friday—as Eric Reyes, the lead’s Filipino fiancé.

That same year, Jacinto was named to TIME100 Next in the “Artists” category, a testament to his growing influence as a global creative force. It was also announced that he joined the voice cast of DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island, an animated film inspired by Philippine mythology, alongside Liza Soberano and Lea Salonga. Married to actress Dianne Doan, Jacinto remains an advocate for mental health and authentic representation—proof that his impact extends well beyond the screen.