Steven Yeun earned his first major television success as Glenn Rhee in the AMC horror series The Walking Dead, appearing in the show from 2010 until 2016. Born in Seoul in 1983, he later relocated to the United States, eventually building a career that spans voice acting, stage performance, and leading roles in acclaimed independent and feature films.
Education and Early Career
Raised in a Christian household, Yeun moved to Canada and later Michigan before graduating from Troy High School in 2001. He pursued higher education at Kalamazoo College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a focus on neuroscience in 2005. His interest in performing began after attending an improv show in Chicago. Defying his parents' wishes for him to attend medical or law school, he committed to an acting career, joining the sketch troupe Stir Friday Night and later The Second City in Chicago. He moved to Los Angeles in October 2009 to further his professional ambitions.
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Yeun gained widespread attention for his starring role in The Walking Dead, a series noted for its status as a high-rated cable drama. Following his departure from the show, he cultivated an extensive career as a voice actor. His credits include roles in animated series such as Voltron: Legendary Defender, the Tales of Arcadia trilogy, and Final Space. He continues to provide the voice for the title character in the Amazon Prime series Invincible, which debuted in 2021.
Film and Critical Acclaim
Yeun expanded his filmography with appearances in Okja, Sorry to Bother You, and The Humans. His performance in the South Korean film Burning earned him several critic awards, including recognition from the Los Angeles and Toronto film critics associations. In 2020, he starred as the lead in Minari, a role that resulted in a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor, making him the first East Asian-American to receive this distinction.
Awards and Recent Projects
In 2023, Yeun received significant industry recognition for the Netflix series Beef, where he served as both a lead actor and producer. He secured the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his work on the production. Time magazine recognized his impact by naming him to the Time 100 list in 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 1983, Seoul, South Korea
- Education: Troy High School; Kalamazoo College
- Citizenship: United States; South Korea
- Notable Series: The Walking Dead; Beef; Invincible
- Key Recognition: Time 100 (2021)
- Academy Award Nomination: Best Actor (2020) for Minari
- Emmy and Golden Globe Winner: 2023
Questions readers ask
What was Steven Yeun's major television breakout?
He rose to prominence playing Glenn Rhee in the television series The Walking Dead from 2010 to 2016.
Did Steven Yeun make history with an Oscar nomination?
Yes, for his role in Minari, he became the first East Asian-American to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
