20 Celebs You Probably Didn’t Know Were Asian
Many famous faces have roots that span continents, and quite a few have Asian heritage that flies under the radar. This list spotlights well known singers, actors, athletes, and hosts whose family histories include Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and more. You will find concise details about where their Asian ancestry comes from and how it connects to their lives and careers.
Each entry includes clear background facts such as a parent’s birthplace, the family’s original surname, or the country a grandparent came from. You will also see a quick reminder of notable work, so it is easy to place the name, along with short notes on language, travel, or cultural ties that add helpful context.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves has Chinese and Native Hawaiian ancestry through his father, who was born in Hawaii and has Chinese, Native Hawaiian, English, Irish, and Portuguese roots. Reeves has mentioned that a Chinese Hawaiian grandmother helped shape his upbringing, which is why elements of Chinese culture were part of his early life in Hawaii and later in Canada.
Reeves built an international career with films like ‘The Matrix’ and ‘John Wick’. He spent formative years in Toronto and began acting on stage there, which led to early screen roles and a path to major action and sci fi projects.
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo’s father is Filipino, and her mother is of German and Irish descent. Rodrigo has spoken about Filipino traditions at home and has shown interest in Filipino food and culture through family gatherings.
She first drew wide attention on television and then released hit records that topped charts around the world. Before her music career took off, she had roles on shows for younger audiences, which helped her build a fan base that followed her into pop stardom.
Darren Criss
Darren Criss is half Filipino through his mother, who was born and raised in the Philippines before moving to the United States. He has performed in Filipino community events and has highlighted his heritage in interviews and public appearances.
Criss became widely known for ‘Glee’ and later earned major awards for a true crime limited series role. He is a trained musician and stage performer who writes and plays his own material and has appeared on Broadway in addition to screen work.
Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld has Filipino ancestry on her mother’s side through her maternal grandfather, who was born in the Philippines and emigrated to the United States. Her family background also includes Jewish and European roots.
Steinfeld earned early acclaim for films such as ‘True Grit’ and later joined the Marvel television lineup in ‘Hawkeye’. She also voices an animated lead and starred in ‘Bumblebee’, while maintaining a parallel career as a recording artist.
Rob Schneider
Rob Schneider’s mother is Filipina, and he has visited the Philippines for shows and family connections. His father is of European descent, and Schneider has discussed growing up in a multicultural household in California.
Schneider broke out on ‘Saturday Night Live’ before leading comedies like ‘The Hot Chick’ and joining ensemble hits like ‘Grown Ups’. He has produced and starred in his own series and continues to tour as a stand up comedian.
Dave Bautista
Dave Bautista’s father is Filipino, and Bautista has acknowledged the influence of his Filipino side while speaking about his family history in Washington DC. He worked a wide range of jobs before professional wrestling opened the door to acting.
Bautista moved from the ring to major films including ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, ‘Dune’, and ‘Blade Runner 2049’. He has taken roles across action, science fiction, and drama while advocating for rescue animals and community programs off screen.
Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens’ mother is Filipina and immigrated to the United States, while her father had European and Native ancestry. Hudgens has visited the Philippines and engaged with Filipino media during promotional trips.
She rose to fame through ‘High School Musical’ and later moved into films like ‘Spring Breakers’ and the holiday franchise ‘The Princess Switch’. Hudgens also performs on stage and records music, building a career that spans family friendly titles and mature projects.
Vanessa Lachey
Vanessa Lachey was born in the Philippines at Clark Air Base and has a Filipina mother. She moved frequently as a child in a military family before settling in the United States, where she began pageants and television work.
Lachey became a familiar face as a host and interviewer, which led to acting roles and ongoing reality series duties. She co hosts ‘Love Is Blind’ and has starred in network television while balancing work with charitable projects linked to military families.
Shay Mitchell
Shay Mitchell’s mother is Filipina and immigrated to Canada. Mitchell grew up in the Toronto area and began modeling in her teens before moving into acting, where her background and travel shaped her outlook and career choices.
She became widely known for ‘Pretty Little Liars’ and later appeared in international projects and lifestyle ventures. Mitchell launched businesses in travel and wellness, drawing on social media to connect with audiences beyond television.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark Paul Gosselaar has Indonesian heritage through his mother, who was born in Indonesia and is of Dutch Indonesian descent. He learned some Dutch at home and has spoken about family visits and cultural traditions from his mother’s side.
Gosselaar found early fame on ‘Saved by the Bell’ and continued with dramas and comedies across network television. He later returned for a sequel series and has remained active with ensemble shows and courtroom dramas.
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is the daughter of Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar and American producer and photographer Sue Jones. She grew up in the United States while keeping ties to her father’s Indian heritage through music and family connections.
Jones won multiple major music awards after her debut album and later explored acting with the film ‘My Blueberry Nights’. She collaborates with artists across jazz, country, and folk, and has released projects that highlight her piano and vocal work.
Naomi Scott
Naomi Scott’s mother is of Indian Gujarati origin and was raised in Uganda before moving to the United Kingdom. Scott grew up in London and began singing in a local church community, which led to early industry contacts.
She played Princess Jasmine in Disney’s live action ‘Aladdin’ and starred in ‘Power Rangers’. Scott continues to record music and act in streaming and theatrical projects, bringing together her performance background and vocal training.
Karrueche Tran
Karrueche Tran’s mother is Vietnamese, and her father is of African American and Caribbean heritage. She worked in fashion and retail in Los Angeles before gaining attention as a model and then moving into acting.
Tran starred in ‘Claws’ and earned recognition for ‘The Bay’, building credits in television and digital series. She remains active in beauty and fashion collaborations and supports community efforts in the city where she grew up.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods has Thai heritage through his mother, who was born in Thailand and has Thai and Chinese ancestry. Woods has acknowledged his blended background and has used a term that reflects his mixed Asian, Black, and Native heritage.
He became one of the most successful golfers in history with record setting victories and long runs at the top of the sport. Woods also created a foundation that supports education programs and junior golf, with projects in the United States and abroad.
Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki is Japanese American and the son of Rocky Aoki, who emigrated from Japan and founded the Benihana restaurant group. Steve grew up in Southern California and started an independent label that launched many electronic acts.
Aoki tours globally as a DJ and producer and has collaborated with artists across pop and hip hop. He has also appeared on television including ‘The Masked Singer’ and invests in tech and culture ventures linked to gaming and collectibles.
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars has a Filipina mother who grew up in the Philippines before moving to Hawaii, and a father of Puerto Rican and European Jewish descent. He started performing as a child in Honolulu and learned multiple instruments in a family music setting.
Mars went on to write and produce for other artists before releasing his own chart topping albums. He performs a Las Vegas residency and records with a side project while keeping close ties to Hawaiian and Filipino communities through charity events.
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger’s father is Filipino, and her mother has Native Hawaiian and Ukrainian ancestry. Scherzinger was born in Hawaii and raised in Kentucky, where she studied musical theater before joining a pop group.
She later appeared on the West End in ‘Cats’ and voiced a character in ‘Moana’. Scherzinger has judged talent competitions and continued to release solo material while supporting arts education and youth performance programs.
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar to Parsi parents of Indian origin. He spent part of his childhood in India before moving to England as a teenager, where he formed the band that became Queen.
Mercury wrote and performed many of Queen’s most enduring songs and developed a celebrated stage presence. His legacy includes landmark performances and albums that remain influential, along with charitable work supported by his estate.
Ben Kingsley
Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji in England to a father of Gujarati Indian heritage and an English mother. He began acting on stage and later adopted a screen name as his film career developed.
Kingsley won major awards for ‘Gandhi’ and took roles in films such as ‘Schindler’s List’. He continues to work across drama and genre films and has received honors for services to the performing arts.
Charles Melton
Charles Melton’s mother is Korean, and his father is American with European ancestry. He spent part of his childhood on military bases and lived in South Korea for a period before returning to the United States.
Melton became known for ‘Riverdale’ and expanded into films like ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’ and ‘May December’. He has modeled for fashion brands and received critical recognition for dramatic roles that moved beyond teen television.
Share your favorites from the list and tell us who else belongs here in the comments.