Daniel Dae Kim received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his 2024 performance in the Broadway revival of David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face. This recognition marked a significant milestone as he became the first Asian American actor to earn a nomination in that specific category.
Early Education and Professional Training
Born in Busan, South Korea, in 1968, Kim relocated to the United States as a child. He grew up in New York City and Pennsylvania, graduating from Freedom High School. He attended Haverford College, where he earned double bachelor’s degrees in theater and political science in 1990. During his undergraduate studies, he trained at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center’s National Theater Institute. He completed his formal education in 1996 by earning a Master of Fine Arts from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
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Kim gained international recognition for his portrayal of Jin-Soo Kwon on the ABC series Lost, appearing from 2004 until 2010. The role required him to speak Korean, prompting him to refine his linguistic skills. He shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2006. Following this, he joined the CBS police procedural Hawaii Five-0 in 2010 as Chin Ho Kelly. He departed the series in 2017 after a salary dispute regarding pay equity with his co-stars.
Film Roles and Voice Acting
His filmography spans several genres, including the 1992 film American Shaolin, where he utilized his background in taekwondo, and the 2004 drama Crash. He also appeared in Spider-Man 2, The Jackal, and Hulk. In the Divergent film series, he portrayed Jack Kang in Insurgent and Allegiant. His voice acting credits include the Saints Row video game series, the animated film Raya and the Last Dragon, and the final episodes of Justice League Unlimited.
Production and Theater
Kim founded the production company 3AD, which produced the television series The Good Doctor. He served as an executive producer and appeared on the show as Dr. Jackson Han. On stage, he portrayed the King of Siam in The King and I at the Royal Albert Hall in 2009 and at the Lincoln Center in 2016. In 2023, he performed in the Los Angeles production of Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Additionally, he was named to the Time 100 list in 2025.
Fast facts
- Born: 1968, Busan, South Korea
- Education: Haverford College; NYU Tisch School of the Arts
- Notable TV Roles: Lost, Hawaii Five-0, The Good Doctor
- Production Company: 3AD
- Languages: English, Korean
- Awards: 2006 Screen Actors Guild Award, Time 100
Questions readers ask
Why did Daniel Dae Kim leave Hawaii Five-0?
He departed the show in 2017 due to a salary dispute with CBS regarding pay equality.
Was he the first Asian American nominated for a Tony as Best Actor in a Play?
Yes, he received this nomination for his 2024 performance in Yellow Face.
Achievements
- Educated at Haverford College, Freedom High School and New York University Tisch School of the Arts
- Worked as actor, television actor and film actor
