Asian LGBTQ+ Actors Changing Hollywood Right Now

Representation is shaping how stories get told, and the actors leading the way are doing it through memorable roles, creative control, and steady visibility. Across film, television, and streaming, these performers are building careers that make space for more complex characters and more inclusive casts and crews.

This list highlights working actors of Asian heritage who are publicly part of the LGBTQ+ community and who are actively contributing to film and television at this moment. Each profile spotlights recent credits, awards, and off screen efforts that are moving the industry forward in practical ways.

Bowen Yang

Bowen Yang joined the cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 2019 and quickly became one of the show’s most recognizable performers and writers. He moved into feature films with parts in ‘Fire Island’ and ‘Dicks: The Musical’ and has voice roles in projects like ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’.

Beyond sketch comedy, he appears in shows such as ‘Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens’ and lends his voice to animated series and films. His work expands LGBTQ+ Asian visibility on mainstream network television while building a portfolio across comedy, drama, and voice acting.

Joel Kim Booster

Joel Kim Booster wrote and starred in ‘Fire Island’, adapting the story of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ into a modern vacation comedy with an all Asian principal cast. He followed it with roles in series like ‘Loot’ and released a Netflix stand up special titled ‘Psychosexual’.

He continues to write for television and film while acting in guest arcs across streaming comedies. His projects demonstrate how LGBTQ+ leads and writers can carry commercial features and series with stories centered on friendship, romance, and community.

Nico Santos

Nico Santos played Mateo on ‘Superstore’, bringing a layered portrayal of a Filipino immigrant to network television. He appeared in the global hit ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ as Oliver and joined the Marvel universe with a role in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’.

He works in film, television, and voice acting, and supports industry mentorship initiatives for Asian and LGBTQ+ talent. His résumé shows steady movement between studio projects and television ensembles that reach broad audiences.

BD Wong

BD Wong won a Tony Award for ‘M. Butterfly’ and went on to recurring roles in ‘Law and Order SVU’ and ‘Mr. Robot’. He appears in the ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Jurassic World’ films as Dr. Henry Wu and continues to work across stage and screen.

Wong also directs and produces, adding creative control to a long acting career. His body of work provides examples of Asian LGBTQ+ actors sustaining roles in franchises, network series, and theater at the highest level.

George Takei

George Takei originated the role of Sulu on ‘Star Trek’ and remains active in television, voice work, and theater. He appeared in the anthology series ‘The Terror: Infamy’ and contributes to documentaries and animated projects.

Takei collaborates on stage productions and educational programming tied to his memoir and to Asian American history. His ongoing presence in the industry links classic science fiction to contemporary storytelling with a focus on inclusion and civic engagement.

Kal Penn

Kal Penn co led the ‘Harold and Kumar’ films and held major television roles on ‘House’, ‘Designated Survivor’, and ‘The Santa Clauses’. He has hosted nonfiction series and appears as a guest star across network and streaming shows.

He also served in the White House Office of Public Engagement and published the memoir ‘You Can’t Be Serious’. Penn’s career shows how an actor can move between studio comedies, policy work, and unscripted projects while continuing to take on new scripted roles.

Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho headlined the groundbreaking sitcom ‘All American Girl’ and later starred in ‘Drop Dead Diva’. She continues to act in film and television with appearances in projects like ‘The Flight Attendant’ and cameos in ensemble comedies such as ‘Fire Island’.

Cho tours internationally as a stand up comic and takes acting roles that reflect her experience as a Korean American queer performer. Her credits and touring schedule keep her visible across mediums while supporting opportunities for other Asian comics and actors.

Conrad Ricamora

Conrad Ricamora played Oliver on ‘How to Get Away with Murder’, a series regular role that spanned multiple seasons. On stage he has starred in ‘Here Lies Love’ and other major productions while continuing to work in film including ‘Fire Island’.

Ricamora alternates between theater and screen acting, bringing musical and dramatic training to both. His work helps place Filipino actors and LGBTQ+ storylines in network dramas, independent films, and Broadway houses.

Patti Harrison

Patti Harrison is known for sharp turns in ‘I Think You Should Leave’ and for starring opposite Ed Helms in ‘Together Together’. She contributed voice work to ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ and appears in features and streaming comedies.

Harrison writes for television and performs stand up, building a cross platform career as a Vietnamese American trans actress and comedian. Her film and TV roles have expanded quickly, adding lead and supporting parts that foreground trans performers in mainstream projects.

Rain Valdez

Rain Valdez created and starred in the short form series ‘Razor Tongue’, earning an Emmy nomination for her performance. She had a recurring role on ‘Transparent’ and continues to act, write, and produce across independent projects and television.

Valdez runs programs that mentor trans and nonbinary filmmakers and actors, helping them develop scripts and reels. Her work combines on screen roles with behind the camera training that grows the pipeline for trans talent in Hollywood.

Josie Totah

Josie Totah starred in the Peacock revival of ‘Saved by the Bell’ and previously led the NBC comedy ‘Champions’. She also appears in features and episodic guest roles that highlight her comedic timing and range.

Totah’s credits include writing and producing work on recent series development. As a Palestinian and Lebanese American trans actress, she brings lived experience to teen and young adult stories on major platforms.

Ian Alexander

Ian Alexander broke out as Buck Vu in ‘The OA’ and later joined ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ as Gray Tal. They voiced Lev in the game ‘The Last of Us Part II’, a performance that drew attention to trans representation in gaming.

Alexander continues to work across science fiction and drama with roles that integrate trans and nonbinary characters into genre worlds. Their portfolio spans streaming hits, franchise television, and voice acting that reaches global audiences.

Leo Sheng

Leo Sheng plays Micah Lee on ‘The L Word Generation Q’, one of television’s most visible trans masc characters. He began as a content creator and moved into professional acting with roles that center trans experiences.

Sheng collaborates with writers and directors on scripts that handle identity with accuracy. His work on a legacy franchise demonstrates how casting trans actors improves authenticity while keeping long running series fresh.

Jake Choi

Jake Choi starred as Miggy on ‘Single Parents’ and led the indie romance ‘Front Cover’. He appears in supporting roles in films and guest arcs on television that reflect his range in comedy and drama.

Choi has spoken publicly about sexual fluidity and advocates for better representation of Asian men in Western media. His credits include network sitcoms, independent features, and streaming series that broaden the kinds of characters offered to Asian actors.

Karan Soni

Karan Soni plays Dopinder in the ‘Deadpool’ films and voices Pavitr Prabhakar in ‘Spider Man Across the Spider Verse’. On television he co starred in ‘Miracle Workers’ and appears across comedies and genre shows.

He also co led the romantic comedy ‘7 Days’, written with filmmaker Roshan Sethi. Soni’s path shows how actors can move between superhero franchises, animation, and indie cinema while staying busy on series work.

Sherry Cola

Sherry Cola stars as Alice Kwan on ‘Good Trouble’ and co led the theatrical comedy ‘Joy Ride’. She performs stand up and hosts live events while building a resume across television and film.

Cola’s visibility as a queer Chinese American performer brings more Asian LGBTQ+ stories into ensemble casts. Her projects pair series regular work with feature films that put Asian women at the center of contemporary comedies.

Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley Kiyoko acted in Disney’s ‘Lemonade Mouth’ and later joined the cast of ‘CSI Cyber’. She appears in features like ‘Jem and the Holograms’ and continues to take on guest roles while running a successful music career alongside acting.

Kiyoko directs and stars in her own visuals, which has influenced how studios think about crossover talent. As a Japanese American lesbian actor and musician, she brings a youth audience to both scripted television and film releases.

Lilly Singh

Lilly Singh hosted ‘A Little Late with Lilly Singh’ on NBC and has acted in projects ranging from guest sitcom roles to voice work. She appears in shows like ‘Dollface’ and continues to develop scripted series while producing digital content.

Singh’s move from digital platforms to late night and scripted acting opened doors for South Asian queer performers in mainstream television. Her work blends hosting, acting, and producing in ways that keep her present across multiple formats.

Rina Sawayama

Rina Sawayama made her feature film debut in ‘John Wick Chapter 4’ as Akira, performing action scenes that won attention from global audiences. She also contributes to television through music performances and guest appearances that tie into screen projects.

Sawayama’s entry into studio film demonstrates how musicians can transition to acting with carefully chosen roles. As a Japanese British queer artist, she adds new dimensions to franchise casting while preparing for future film and television work.

Maulik Pancholy

Maulik Pancholy is known for playing Jonathan on ’30 Rock’ and Sanjay on ‘Weeds’. He provides the voice of Baljeet on ‘Phineas and Ferb’ and appears in guest roles across network and streaming series.

Pancholy is also an author of award winning middle grade novels and advocates for anti bullying education. His sustained presence in comedy, animation, and publishing offers a model for LGBTQ+ South Asian actors building multifaceted careers.

Share your picks and the roles you would add to this list in the comments.