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Simu Liu, born on April 19, 1989, in China, is a Canadian actor, writer, and stuntman. He is best known for his role as Jung Kim in the Canadian television sitcom Kim’s Convenience. Simu Liu has been in the acting industry for about a decade now, but recently he has come under the spotlight for being the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Liu’s journey to Hollywood has not been an easy one. He moved to Canada with his family at the age of five and grew up in Mississauga, Ontario. Liu’s father was a musician, and his mother worked in the IT industry. He studied finance at the University of Western Ontario but soon realized that it was not his calling. Liu stumbled upon acting when he accidentally applied for an acting gig and then went to audition without any prior training. Surprisingly, he got the part, and thus began his journey as an actor.
Liu started his acting career by getting small roles in various television shows and films. However, it was his role as Jung Kim in Kim’s Convenience that put him under the radar. Kim’s Convenience is a Canadian sitcom that ran from 2016 to 2021 and revolved around a Korean-Canadian family that runs a convenience store. Liu’s portrayal of Jung was critically acclaimed and he also received nominations for Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor.
However, Liu got his major breakthrough in 2019 when he was cast as the lead in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Shang-Chi is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Liu plays the role of Shang-Chi, a martial artist who was raised to become an assassin by his father but later opts to fight against his father’s organization. The film was released in theaters in September 2021 and has received positive reviews. It also became the highest-grossing film of the pandemic era and furthered Liu’s career.
Liu has been vocal about the importance of representation in the entertainment industry. He has often talked about how growing up as an Asian-Canadian, he did not see many representation in media. Liu has also been very frank about the challenges he had to face as an Asian-Canadian actor in the industry. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he talked about how he was told bluntly that he was not the “Hollywood lead type,” and that he should stick to roles that support white actors.
Liu is also an advocate for mental health awareness. In a series of tweets in 2019, he opened up about his own struggles with anxiety and depression. Liu encouraged his fans to talk about their own struggles and normalize conversations around mental health.
In July 2021, Liu was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People. He was recognized for his contribution to Asian representation in Hollywood and his advocacy for mental health awareness.
Liu’s rise to fame has been meteoric, and he has become a role model for many. His success is a testament to the fact that with hard work and perseverance, one can achieve anything. With his upcoming projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Liu is sure to become a household name worldwide.
In conclusion, Simu Liu is a rising star in Hollywood, drawing attention with his extraordinary acting skills and critical acclaim. From humble beginnings, Liu has achieved it all through his determination, and he is quickly becoming a beacon of hope for many. He is an advocate for Asian representation in Hollywood and a mental health awareness activist. His future in the entertainment industry seems brighter than ever, and the world eagerly awaits to see more of his talent.