Daniel Dae Kim has made a career of creating multifaceted and stereotype-breaking roles as an actor, director and now, producer. Prior to his seven-season portrayal of Chin Ho Kelly on “Hawaii Five-0,” Daniel was best known for his role as Jin Soo Kwon on the hit TV series “Lost,” for which he shared a 2006 Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble, and was individually honored with an AZN Asian Excellence Award, a Multicultural Prism Award and a Vanguard Award from the Korean American Coalition, all for Outstanding Performance by an Actor. In 2009, he was recognized with the prestigious KoreAm Achievement Award in the field of Arts and Entertainment, and has twice been named one of People Magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive.”
Most recently, he received a Broadway Beacon Award for his role as the King of Siam in Lincoln Center’s Tony Award-winning production of “The King and I,” as well as the Theater Legacy Award from New York’s Pan Asian Repertory Theater. Outside of his artistic endeavors, he actively pursues interests in the community at large, having most recently served as Cultural Envoy and Member of the U.S. Presidential Delegation for the United States at the World Expo in Korea.
Born in Busan, South Korea and raised in New York and Pennsylvania, Daniel discovered acting while a student at Haverford College. After graduation, he moved to New York City, where he began his career on stage, performing in classics such as “Romeo and Juliet,” “Ivanov,” and “A Doll’s House.” Despite early success, he deepened his knowledge of the craft by enrolling at New York University’s Graduate Acting Program, where he earned his Master’s Degree.
In addition to his onscreen career, Daniel spearheads his production company 3AD, established in 2014 to produce premier content for TV, film and digital media – in development partnership with ITV Studios America. Committed to storytelling that features characters and cultures traditionally underrepresented in today’s media, 3AD’s produced projects include this season’s acclaimed new series “The Good Doctor“ (ABC), where Daniel serves as Executive Producer.
In the last year, what has been your proudest accomplishment?
With my production company, 3AD and my roles in “Good Doctor,” “Hellboy,” “and “Always Be My Maybe,” my proudest accomplishment of last year was really just being a small part of this wave of Asian American awareness. I think really this past year in particular there’s never been a better time to be an Asian American in this industry, and I’m really encouraged by that.
How has your ethnic identity impacted you personally or your career?
I think the real answer to that question is — how has it not? It really has influenced and informed every part of who I am.
Who are some of your biggest supporters and trusted advocates throughout your journey?
Success in this industry doesn’t happen for anyone without a strong base of solid supporters at every stage of your career and I am no exception. From one of my first acting teachers, Ron Van Liew, to J.J. Abrams and all of my brothers and sisters who are taking this journey as actors, there have been a countless number of people who have been there to support me and I’m happy to return the favor and support them as well.