---
name: "John Cho"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-cho"
fi1m_id: "john-cho"
imdb_id: "nm0158626"
tmdb_id: 68842
wikidata_id: "Q312705"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "16 June 1972"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 14
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 14
updated: "2026-10-23T04:11:13.153209+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# John Cho

## Identity

John Cho

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-cho
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** john-cho
- **IMDb ID:** nm0158626
- **TMDB ID:** 68842
- **Wikidata ID:** Q312705
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cho, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312705, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0158626/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/68842

Actor. Born 16 June 1972 in Seoul, South Korea.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 16 June 1972, Seoul, South Korea
- **Active:** 1997–present
- **Also known as:** John Yohan Cho , 조요한, Cho Yo-han, ジョン・ヨハン・チョー, 约翰·赵
- **Frequently works with:** [Chris Pine](https://film.one/person/chris-pine.md), [Greg Shapiro](https://film.one/person/greg-shapiro.md), [Hayden Schlossberg](https://film.one/person/hayden-schlossberg.md), [J.J. Abrams](https://film.one/person/j-j-abrams.md), [Jon Hurwitz](https://film.one/person/jon-hurwitz.md), [Kal Penn](https://film.one/person/kal-penn.md), [Neil Patrick Harris](https://film.one/person/neil-patrick-harris.md), [Paula Garcés](https://film.one/person/paula-garces.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 14 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 72 (3), 2000s 66 (5), 2010s 68 (4), 2020s 74 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 68 across 14 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Drama 6, Adventure 4, Science Fiction 4, Action 3, Romance 3
- **Screen time:** 23 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,428m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cho, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312705, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0158626/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/68842

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Star Trek*](https://film.one/film/star-trek.md) (81), [*Star Trek Beyond*](https://film.one/film/star-trek-beyond.md) (70), [*Star Trek Into Darkness*](https://film.one/film/star-trek-into-darkness.md) (60)
- **Tubi:** [*Columbus*](https://film.one/film/columbus.md) (82)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle*](https://film.one/film/harold-and-kumar-go-to-white-castle.md) (71)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on John Cho

> John Cho's understatement makes him good company in crowded films and a credible centre when he gets the lead. We value that quietness, though his larger films do not always give him enough to do.

John Cho keeps his acting understated, a useful quality in a film as busy as *Star Trek* (2009). As Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu, he fits easily into the brisk, funny company assembled by J.J. Abrams. We warmed to this crew because the humour made them seem worth spending time with between the action scenes. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto give the familiar crew its fresh start, but Cho's unshowy presence helps make the ensemble inviting.

The DBA Emissary in Steven Soderbergh's *Solaris* (2002) was one of the minor parts that preceded his leading work. Soderbergh wrote, shot and cut a film whose quiet concentration we admired, though it tells us relatively little about Cho. He had attracted notice in *American Pie* (1999), but playing Harold Lee in *Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle* (2004) gave him a proper lead. His comic partnership with Kal Penn allowed an Asian American protagonist to be a participant in the foolishness without his identity having to supply the joke. That was a substantial opportunity well before the later dramatic leads.

Cho returned as Sulu in two sequels; across these films, the role includes physical action and a romantic life. That makes use of an actor who can stay understated without disappearing in a large cast. The limitation is how much room the ensemble leaves for him. The thin villain and overworked action in *Star Trek* are more pressing faults than anything in the casting. We recommend it with those caveats, and would still send anyone curious about Cho towards a leading part.

The later leads in *Columbus* (2017) and *Searching* (2018) are the useful next step for anyone following the actor. They gave his understated style more space in independent films, with *Searching* also putting him at the centre of a mainstream thriller. Those roles matter because a dependable supporting player can otherwise spend a long time being praised for making somebody else's film work. Start with *Star Trek* for the company; go to *Searching* for Cho.

## Biography

John Cho is an American actor. Born Cho Yo-Han on 16 June 1972 in Seoul, South Korea, he moved to the United States with his family as a child and was raised in Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a BA in English and began acting with the East West Players theatre company.

Cho's early film roles include appearances in *American Beauty* (1999) and *American Pie* (1999). He is known for playing Harold Lee in the *Harold & Kumar* film series (2004–2011) and Hikaru Sulu in the *Star Trek* reboot films (2009, 2013 and 2016). He played a DBA Emissary in *Solaris* (2002). He is married to actress Kerri Higuchi.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, watch.plex.tv.*

## On Fi1m (14)

- *Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother* (2026), Fi1m 77, as Pastor Kwan — [page](https://film.one/film/your-mother-your-mother-your-mother.md)
- *The Sympathizer* (2024), Fi1m 72, as James Yoon — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sympathizer.md)
- *Between Two Ferns: The Movie* (2019), Fi1m 62, as John Cho — [page](https://film.one/film/between-two-ferns-the-movie.md)
- *Columbus* (2017), Fi1m 82, as Jin — [page](https://film.one/film/columbus.md)
- *Star Trek Beyond* (2016), Fi1m 70, as Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-beyond.md)
- *Star Trek Into Darkness* (2013), Fi1m 60, as Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-into-darkness.md)
- *Star Trek* (2009), Fi1m 81, as Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek.md)
- *Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle* (2004), Fi1m 71, as Harold Lee — [page](https://film.one/film/harold-and-kumar-go-to-white-castle.md)
- *American Wedding* (2003), Fi1m 54, as John — [page](https://film.one/film/american-wedding.md)
- *Solaris* (2002), Fi1m 74, as DBA Emissary — [page](https://film.one/film/solaris.md)
- *American Pie 2* (2001), Fi1m 49, as John — [page](https://film.one/film/american-pie-2.md)
- *American Beauty* (1999), Fi1m 76, as Sale House Man #1 — [page](https://film.one/film/american-beauty.md)
- *American Pie* (1999), Fi1m 64, as John — [page](https://film.one/film/american-pie.md)
- *Wag the Dog* (1997), Fi1m 77, as Aide #3 — [page](https://film.one/film/wag-the-dog.md)

## Complete filmography (115)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother* (2026), as Pastor Kwan — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/your-mother-your-mother-your-mother.md)
- *Tempest* (2025), series, as Anderson Miller
- *Long Story Short* (2025), series, as (voice)
- *Murderbot* (2025), series, as Captain
- *The Graduates* (2024), as John · Executive Producer
- *Afraid* (2024), as Curtis
- *The Sympathizer* (2024), series, as James Yoon — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sympathizer.md)
- *Krapopolis* (2023), series, as Thief (voice)
- *Praise Petey* (2023), series, as Bandit (voice)
- *Ghosted* (2023), as The Leopard
- *Poker Face* (2023), series, as Guy / Alec — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/poker-face.md)
- *Don't Make Me Go* (2022), as Max
- *The Afterparty* (2022), series, as Ulysses
- *Cowboy Bebop* (2021), series, as Spike Spiegel
- *Namoo* (2021), Executive Producer
- *Wish Dragon* (2021), as Long (voice)
- *Over the Moon* (2020), as Father (voice)
- *Home Movie: The Princess Bride* (2020), series, as Inigo Montoya
- *Tigertail* (2020), Executive Producer
- *The Grudge* (2019), as Peter Spencer
- *Between Two Ferns: The Movie* (2019), as John Cho — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/between-two-ferns-the-movie.md)
- *Korea: The Never-Ending War* (2019), as Narrator
- *The Twilight Zone* (2019), series, as Raff Hanks
- *The Oath* (2018), as Peter
- *Searching* (2018), as David Kim
- *Do You Want to See a Dead Body?* (2017), series, Actor
- *Columbus* (2017), as Jin — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/columbus.md)
- *Gemini* (2017), as Detective Edward Ahn
- *A Happening of Monumental Proportions* (2017), as Mr. Ramirez
- *Literally, Right Before Aaron* (2017), as Mark
- *The Exorcist* (2016), series, as Andrew Kim
- *Star Trek Beyond* (2016), as Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-beyond.md)
- *Get a Job* (2016), as Brian Bender
- *The Hindenburg Explodes!* (2016), as Reggie
- *Zipper* (2015), as EJ
- *Difficult People* (2015), series, as Todd Ross
- *Parallel Man: Infinite Pursuit* (2015), as Agent Nick Morgan (voice)
- *Grandma* (2015), as Chau
- *Selfie* (2014), series, as Henry Higgs
- *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as Male Improviser (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md)
- *That Burning Feeling* (2014), as Roger Whitacre
- *Sleepy Hollow* (2013), series, as Andy Brooks
- *Star Trek Into Darkness* (2013), as Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-into-darkness.md)
- *Identity Thief* (2013), as Daniel Casey
- *The Mindy Project* (2012), series, as Big Murder — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mindy-project.md)
- *Go On* (2012), series, as Steven
- *Total Recall* (2012), as McClane
- *American Reunion* (2012), as John
- *House of Lies* (2012), series, as Sean Chew
- *A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas* (2011), as Harold Lee
- *Harold & Kumars Yuletide Jamz* (2011), as Harold Lee
- *New Girl* (2011), series, as Daniel Grant — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md)
- *NTSF:SD:SUV::* (2011), series, as Chip
- *Caller ID: Entity* (2010), as Kamal
- *Saint John of Las Vegas* (2010), as Smitty
- *FlashForward* (2009), series, as Demetri Noh
- *Star Trek* (2009), as Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek.md)
- *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Park
- *Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist* (2008), as Hype Man
- *Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam* (2008), as Harold
- *Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay* (2008), as Harold Lee
- *Smiley Face* (2007), as Mikey
- *West 32nd* (2007), as John Kim
- *The Air I Breathe* (2007), as Banker
- *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Lorne — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *Ugly Betty* (2006), series, as Kenny
- *'Til Death* (2006), series, as Lucas Bender
- *Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas* (2006), as Bob
- *American Dreamz* (2006), as Ittles
- *How I Met Your Mother* (2005), series, as Jeff Coatsworth — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/how-i-met-your-mother.md)
- *Kitchen Confidential* (2005), series, as Teddy Wong
- *Bam Bam and Celeste* (2005), as Stephan
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Dr. Marshall Stone — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Vince Chung (voice)
- *In Good Company* (2004), as Petey
- *House* (2004), series, as Harvey Park — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle* (2004), as Harold Lee — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/harold-and-kumar-go-to-white-castle.md)
- *See This Movie* (2004), as Larry Finkelstein
- *The Men's Room* (2004), series, as Bob
- *American Pie: Revealed* (2004), Thanks
- *American Wedding* (2003), as John — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/american-wedding.md)
- *Better Luck Tomorrow* (2003), as Steve Choe
- *Solaris* (2002), as DBA Emissary — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/solaris.md)
- *Big Fat Liar* (2002), as Dustin Wong
- *Off Centre* (2001), series, as Chau Presley
- *Earth vs. the Spider* (2001), as Han
- *American Pie 2* (2001), as John — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/american-pie-2.md)
- *Evolution* (2001), as Student
- *Pavilion of Women* (2001), as Fengmo Wu
- *Down to Earth* (2001), as Phil Quon
- *The Division* (2001), series, as Raymond
- *Delivering Milo* (2001), as Mr. Hugo
- *Static Shock* (2000), series, as Navigator (voice), Tantrum / Thomas Kim (voice)
- *The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas* (2000), as Parking Valet
- *Daddio* (2000), series, as Delivery Guy
- *American Beauty* (1999), as Sale House Man #1 — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/american-beauty.md)
- *Bowfinger* (1999), as Nightclub Cleaner
- *American Pie* (1999), as John — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/american-pie.md)
- *Charmed* (1998), series, as Mark Chao
- *Felicity* (1998), series, as Larry
- *V.I.P.* (1998), series, as Flower Delivery Guy
- *Yellow* (1998), as Joey
- *The Magnificent Seven* (1998), series, as Wo Chin
- *The Tiger Woods Story* (1998), as Jerry Chang
- *Wag the Dog* (1997), as Aide #3 — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/wag-the-dog.md)
- *Shopping for Fangs* (1997), as Clarance
- *USA High* (1997), series, as Waiter
- *Boston Common* (1996), series, as Larry
- *Exchange Value*, Actor
- *Up All Night*, Actor
- *Rhona Who Lives by the River*, series, as D'John
- *Wish Dragon 2*, as Long (voice)
- *The Off Weeks*, series, Actor
- *Slime*, as (voice)
- *Untitled Harold & Kumar Sequel*, as Harold Lee

## Gallery

- ![John Cho](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-8bcdef26b700.jpg) John Cho — Aubrey Gemignani, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/John_Cho_in_2018.jpg/1280px-John_Cho_in_2018.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![George Takei, John Cho and Garrett Wang at the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention 2011.](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-2950825e5a89.jpg) George Takei, John Cho and Garrett Wang at the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention 2011. — Beth Madison, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/George_Takei%2C_John_Cho_and_Garrett_Wang.jpg/1280px-George_Takei%2C_John_Cho_and_Garrett_Wang.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![TV Guide panel, San Diego Comic-con 2009](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-e4b257a29582.jpg) TV Guide panel, San Diego Comic-con 2009 — MelodyJSandoval, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Jim_Parsons%2C_Johnny_Galecki%2C_John_Cho%2C_Rebecca_Romijn_%28TV_Guide_panel%29.jpg/1280px-Jim_Parsons%2C_Johnny_Galecki%2C_John_Cho%2C_Rebecca_Romijn_%28TV_Guide_panel%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![TV Guide panel, San Diego Comic-con 2009](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-5415b396284f.jpg) TV Guide panel, San Diego Comic-con 2009 — MelodyJSandoval, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Jim_Parsons%2C_Johnny_Galecki%2C_John_Cho%2C_Rebecca_Romijn_%28TV_Guide_panel%29_-_3781580449.jpg/1280px-Jim_Parsons%2C_Johnny_Galecki%2C_John_Cho%2C_Rebecca_Romijn_%28TV_Guide_panel%29_-_3781580449.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![John Cho](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-901419aee55f.jpg) John Cho — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cho](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-82099db5dd0d.jpg) John Cho — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cho](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-2605663c8a96.jpg) John Cho — Image via TMDB
- ![TV Guide panel, San Diego Comic-con 2009](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-52d54486414b.jpg) TV Guide panel, San Diego Comic-con 2009 — MelodyJSandoval, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Jim_Parsons%2C_Johnny_Galecki%2C_John_Cho%2C_Rebecca_Romijn_%28TV_Guide_panel%29_-_3781625959.jpg/1280px-Jim_Parsons%2C_Johnny_Galecki%2C_John_Cho%2C_Rebecca_Romijn_%28TV_Guide_panel%29_-_3781625959.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![TV Guide panel, San Diego Comic-con 2009](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-1dab77ca9708.jpg) TV Guide panel, San Diego Comic-con 2009 — MelodyJSandoval, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Jim_Parsons%2C_Johnny_Galecki%2C_John_Cho_%28TV_Guide_panel%29.jpg/1280px-Jim_Parsons%2C_Johnny_Galecki%2C_John_Cho_%28TV_Guide_panel%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![John Cho](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-6dbb595a7309.jpg) John Cho — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cho](https://film.one/media/person/9750/gallery-bdd75ee93f63.jpg) John Cho — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/john-cho