How Jimmy O. Yang Made a Star Turn Out of Playing a Background Character

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In my humble opinion, Jimmy O. Yang is a multifaceted gem of an individual, hailing from the bustling city of Hong Kong, his life journey has been nothing short of intriguing and inspiring. From cultivating a passion for food that transcends beyond mere consumption to carving a niche in the competitive world of comedy and acting, Jimmy’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and an unquenchable thirst for new experiences.

Jimmy O. Yang almost didn’t make it to the first day of shooting.

To fully immerse himself into the character of Willis Wu in the innovative new series “Interior Chinatown” on Hulu, where he portrays a lowly background character within the show’s fictional police procedural, “Black & White”, Yang decided to method act. He bought some worn clothes from Goodwill, dug out an old pair of shoes he kept from his waitering days, and spent $1500 on the most inferior car he could find, a 1999 Toyota Corolla.

On his first day of production, they wouldn’t allow him to enter the Fox lot, where the show is filmed, because he had done such an exceptional job.

He remembers telling The Hollywood Reporter that the security guard seemed uninterested in him, and she said something like, “Park here, just park right there.

Below, Yang, a seasoned actor known for series such as Silicon Valley and Space Force, shares insights from his actual role in Interior Chinatown, discusses future projects, and explains the reason behind his numerous cooking video uploads.

How did you find your way to Interior Chinatown?

It appears the script found its way onto my desk. My representative exclaimed, “You must read this! This is absolutely fantastic.” I had mentioned to him that I was yearning for something atypical, not only comedy in dramatic settings, but also something surprising. That’s the term I used. I believe I may have achieved this through my entire life and career, even as a stand-up comedian from an immigrant Chinese family. When I read the script, I thought, “This is incredibly intriguing.” The script portrays a very relatable family drama, remarkably similar to mine. Although they clearly cherish each other, their love isn’t verbally expressed due to cultural and generational differences inherent in Chinese culture – instead, it’s demonstrated through acts of service rather than words.

In the television series, there’s a subplot character who plays a minor role. This resonates with me deeply because, throughout my career, I felt like I was struggling to gain visibility in an industry that didn’t seem to have much space for people like us on screen when I was growing up. It felt like I was always sneaking in. I believe Willis experiences this same feeling of being a bystander throughout the show. He just wants to be present, to be a tiny part of it all. That was exactly how I felt during my auditions for two-line roles. I would think, “Oh my goodness, this is unbelievable. It’s not even possible for me to be on TV.

The show is very meta. From an acting standpoint, how do you tackle something like that?

It’s somewhat similar to “The Truman Show,” where he’s unaware that he’s essentially a supporting character in someone else’s TV production. There’s an investigative aspect reminiscent of “Law & Order,” which adds intrigue. Then, it takes a turn towards the surreal, like “The Twilight Zone.” It could get quite perplexing, but my role as an actor is to simply accompany Willis. Initially, he’s oblivious to being part of the show or entangled in this mystery. For him, it’s not about aspiring to move from a background role; rather, it’s about his relationships with his family, friends, and his desire to defy expectations and achieve something remarkable.

Essentially, we’ve been there too – feeling confined by societal expectations while knowing deep within ourselves that we’re capable of much more, but often finding our potential unrecognized. This story takes us to the heart of humanity, exploring a character who yearns for greater opportunities and dreams, yet is stuck in a difficult environment he’s never escaped.

Did you encounter any challenges while trying to leave your comfort zone when starting your career as a stand-up comedian?

Absolutely. In any creative field within our industry, we all face numerous hurdles, be they physical obstacles or societal perceptions. I, for instance, didn’t attend a prestigious acting school, nor did I come from an acting lineage. However, the greatest challenge, particularly for an Asian American, is often self-belief.

It appears that at one point, you were sharing your culinary skills through YouTube cooking videos. I’m curious to know what sparked this endeavor; it seems that you genuinely love cooking and appreciate food.

My love for cooking was nurtured during my childhood years in Hong Kong, where everyone seemed to share a common passion for food. My parents, particularly my dad, who was quite the food connoisseur, would prepare meals every evening. He had high standards when it came to cuisines and almost resembled a Michelin Star critic. This shared interest brought us closer together; we’d make wontons, salads, jello, and other dishes together. Many families may find themselves in similar situations. As I grew older, my cooking skills remained limited, but I knew what I enjoyed eating. The pandemic, however, forced me to learn more about cooking as restaurants were closed, and I couldn’t order my favorite dishes. This unexpected situation presented an opportunity for me to experiment with various cuisines by gathering ingredients at home. It turned out to be a fun and exciting adventure!

People have shown great enthusiasm in response. To this day, people I encounter on the street approach me, not discussing movies like “Crazy Rich Asians” or “Space Force,” but rather sharing their appreciation for my cooking videos. They tell me things like, “Your videos inspired us to cook at home, and you’ve given us the motivation because you’re not a professional chef.” Hearing this has truly brought joy to my heart.

Here’s another way to rephrase the text:

Are there any adventures or experiences that you’ve been eagerly waiting to embark on, even if they haven’t presented themselves yet?

Previously, I had a habit of setting things in motion for myself, but now I find myself wanting events to unfold naturally, drawn to whatever piques my curiosity. For instance, I happened to catch Tommy performing at The Improv, which led to us reviving the Jimmy’s Kitchen project, or my upcoming role in a horror movie in Vancouver. I’m about to depart for that location, working alongside Benedict Wong and Kelly Marie Tran. It’s an exciting venture, as we have a unique, almost nested narrative within our roles, offering a distinct storyline between me and Benny. When I first read the script, I immediately contacted him, expressing my eagerness for us to collaborate on this project, which I believe will be incredibly enjoyable.

It’s quite fortunate and poetic, if you will, that I’ve had the chance to embody various roles such as the tech guy on “Silicon Valley,” a scientist on “Space Force,” romantic lead characters, among others. As you watch more episodes of “Interior Chinatown,” it feels like I’m revisiting those characters in a way because Willis, my character, is moving from being a background actor to taking on new roles.

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2024-12-04 01:55