All The Asians On Star Trek

In Episode 36, we conclude our conversation with Garrett Wang. For seven seasons, he starred as Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager. In Part 3 of our interview, Garrett talks about the nuances of cross-cultural casting; negotiating the relative Asian-ness of Harry Kim (how "Asian" is playing the clarinet?); his very first on-camera acting role as an extra in Death Wish IV; and the heartbreaking missed opportunity to reprise the role of (a finally promoted) Harry Kim in Star Trek: Picard.

Garrett Wang is best known for starring as Ensign Harry Kim for seven seasons on Star Trek: Voyager. A fan-favorite regular on the convention circuit, he currently co-hosts the popular podcast The Delta Flyers, which recaps Voyager and now Deep Space Nine. In Part 1 or our interview, Garrett talks about the epic, arduous audition process that earned him the role of Harry Kim, the glacial pace of Hollywood diversity from the nineties to now, and the meaningful moment he realized he was carrying the banner of Asian American representation on Star Trek.

Peipei Alena Yuan is a stunt performer, actress and filmmaker who served as the stunt double for Freda Foh Shen in the 2009 feature film Star Trek, directed by JJ Abrams. Outside of Star Trek, her long list of stunt credits includes Bullet Train, Stranger Things, The Terminal List, Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Flight Attendant, among many others. She talks about pivoting from visual effects to stunt work, her unexpected pivotal role in creating "Bully Maguire," and getting to perform a fight scene with a bucket list legend.

Patrick Kwok-Choon plays tactical officer Lieutenant Commander Gen Rhys on Star Trek: Discovery. Outside of Star Trek, his credits include Open Heart, Backpackers, Shoot the Messenger, Wynonna Earp and SkyMed, among others. He talks being a part of Discovery's bridge crew, joining the tremendous legacy of Star Trek, and observing a healthy level of respect before putting his butt in the captain's chair.

Eric Bauza played the role of "Cerritos Conn Officer" on several episodes of the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. Outside of Star Trek, he's a prolific voice over artist with dozens of credits, having provided voices for some of animation's most iconic characters -- including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Tweety most recently on Bugs Bunny Builders. He talks about getting his breaks as a voice actor, almost getting cast as another Lower Decks character, and making merchandise from obscure Canadian kids TV shows.

Amanda Wong is a Vancouver-based background artist on the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. Her other credits include Carmen Sandiego, Rick and Morty, My Little Pony: The Movie and DC Super Hero Girls. She talks about becoming a Trekkie at 7 years old, her path to working in animation, and getting the specific nuances of Cardassian floor patterns just right.

Jacqueline Kim played the role of Ensign Demora Sulu -- daughter of Hikaru Sulu -- in the 1994 feature film Star Trek: Generations. As an actress, her other credits include Disclosure, Volcano, Xena: Warrior Princess, ER, The West Wing, Charlotte Sometimes and Advantageous, which she also co-wrote and produced.

Pay Chen is credited with the role of "Starfleet Psychiatrist" on Star Trek: Discovery, in the season two episode "Point of Light." Blink and you might miss her. Outside of Star Trek, Pay has over two decades of broadcast experience as a host, writer and producer — in Canada. But to some fans and friends, her five seconds of screen time on Star Trek is basically the biggest thing she's ever done.

Sumalee Montano appeared in three episodes of Star Trek: Picard as "Marisol Asha," the mother (maybe?) of Dahj and Soji. Outside of Star Trek, Sumalee's resume has over 180 acting credits, including ER, Veep, Nashville, and Scandal, as well as a ton of voiceover roles. Most recently, she can be seen starring in her first series regular role on The Lost Symbol.

Tim Dang appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation as "Main Bridge Security" in the series pilot episode "Encounter at Farpoint." He even had a couple of lines. Outside of performing, Tim served as artistic director for the hallowed Asian American theater company East West Players for over twenty years, and currently teaches at the USC School of Dramatic Arts.

Art Chudabala guest starred on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Lieutenant junior grade Hector Ilario, whose (spoiler alert) murder sets off the seventh season episode "Field of Fire." His other acting credits include NYPD Blue, ER, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, The West Wing, and his acting debut in the cult favorite skateboard movie Gleaming the Cube.

Krista Jang played the part of "Rob" in the Star Trek: Short Treks episode "The Trouble with Edward." The role is perhaps most notable because she gets buried alive by Tribbles. She talks about the "movie magic" that went into creating that hilarious and horrifying moment.

Eugene Cordero is the voice of Ensign Sam Rutherford on the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. With a lengthy list of credits, he holds the rare distinction of playing characters in the Star Trek, Star Wars and Marvel universes. But he is probably best known for playing "Pillboi" on The Good Place. He knows this because that's what everybody yells at him on the street.