Osric Chau (Chinese: 周逸之; Jyutping: zau1 yat6 zi1) is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Kevin Tran in the CW series Supernatural, Vogel in the BBC America series Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, and Ryan Choi in the TV shows set in the Arrowverse.
Osric Chau | |
|---|---|
 Chau in 2023 at Heroes Assemble 3 in Richmond VA | |
| Other names | 周逸之; zau1 yat6 zi1 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Website | www |
Life and career
editChau's father is from Hong Kong, and his mother is from Malaysia.[1] In 2000, he took up Wing Chun and continued to study the martial art for eight years. He also studied tai chi and traditional forms of wushu under Zhang Zhi Bing, a master from Harbin, China. After four years, upon Zhang's return to China, Chau enrolled in West Coast Chinese Martial Arts in Vancouver under head instructor Bruce Fontaine and studied modern wushu, a more performance-orientated martial art. In 2007, Chau trained for seven months with the BSU Wushu Team at Beijing Sport University in preparation for the Canadian National Team Trials. Upon his return, he became a member of the Canadian National Wushu Team.
Chau originally wanted to be a stuntman rather than an actor,[2] and worked on stunts for EA Games before appearing in his first major role opposite David Carradine and Daryl Hannah in the two-part television film Kung Fu Killer.[3][4] He went on to make his feature film debut in a supporting role in the 2009 film 2012[2] and later became more well known through his recurring role as Kevin Tran in the CW fantasy series Supernatural.
Chau has collaborated with the YouTube channel The Hillywood Show in video parodies of The Walking Dead,[5] Supernatural,[6][7] and Sherlock.[8] He has also been involved with campaigns against stereotyping in media.[9]
In 2018, Chau starred in the Manila-set independent film Empty by Design alongside Filipina actress Rhian Ramos and Crazy Rich Asians actor Chris Pang.[10] Empty by Design marks Chau's first feature film producing endeavor.[11] In September 2019, Chau was cast at Ryan Choi in the Arrowverse, and was featured during three of the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" episodes.[12] In November 2019, he was cast as the lead to the Indonesian horror film, The Villa.[13]
In 2021, he returned to The Flash as Ryan Choi for the third and fourth parts of its "Armageddon" event which opened the eighth season.[14] This was an alternate timeline version who had no family, but as part of Team Flash had taken up the mantle of Atom like in the comics.[15]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Cold Squad | Vic Dnang | |
| 2007 | Dragon Boys | Teen | Television film |
| 2008 | Kung Fu Killer | Lang Han | |
| 2009 | The Troop | Hector | Episode: "Forest Grump" |
| 2011 | Best Player | Ash's buddy | Television film |
| 2012 | Mister French Taste | Leon | 7 episodes, writer for 1 other |
| Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn | J.J. | ||
| 2012–2019 | Supernatural | Kevin Tran | Recurring role, 20 episodes |
| 2014 | The 100 | Red Eyed Boy | Episode: "I Am Become Death" |
| 2015 | Beyond Redemption | Rickson | |
| Blood and Water | Charlie Xie | ||
| 2016 | Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders | Gul | |
| 2016–2017 | Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency | Vogel (member of the Rowdy 3) | Recurring role |
| 2019–2021 | Carmen Sandiego | The Troll | Voice |
| 2019, 2021 | The Flash | Ryan Choi / Atom | Episodes: "Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 3", "Armageddon" parts 3 and 4 |
| 2020 | Arrow | Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 4" | |
| Legends of Tomorrow | Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 5" | ||
| 2021 | Morning Show Mysteries | Wally | Episode 6: "Murder Ever After" |
| 2021, 2023 | Nancy Drew | Edwin George Chen | 3 episodes |
| 2022 | Star Trek: Discovery | Oros | Episode: "The Galactic Barrier" |
| Tekken: Bloodline | Bully 1 | Voice, 1 episode | |
| Christmas at the Golden Dragon | Rick Chen | Television film | |
| 2023 | My Adventures with Superman | Lewis Lane | Voice, episode: "Kiss Kiss Fall in Portal" |
| 2024 | Avatar: The Last Airbender | Tan | Episode: "Omashu" |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2012 | Nima | |
| 2010 | What Women Want | Chen Er Dong | |
| 2012 | Fun Size | Peng | |
| The Man With The Iron Fists | Blacksmith's Assistant | ||
| 2014 | The Akira Project | Kaneda Shotaro | |
| 2016 | The Matchbreaker | Sam | Independent film |
| 2017 | Boone: The Bounty Hunter | Denny | |
| 2018 | Status Update | Donald Fu | |
| 2019 | Empty by Design | Eric | Independent film; also producer |
| 2021 | Superhost | Teddy | Also executive producer |
| 2023 | Zoe.mp4 | Matt |
Other
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Tea Master | Stunts | Short film |
| 2012 | Must Come Down | Fight choreographer and executive producer | |
| 2014 | The Walking Dead Parody | Glenn Rhee | Parody by the Hillywood Show |
| 2015 | Supernatural Parody | Sam Winchester | |
| 2016 | Sherlock Parody | Jim Moriarty | |
| 2018 | Supernatural Parody 2 | Sam Winchester | |
| 2019 | Umbrella Academy Parody | Ben Hargreeves |
References
edit- ^ Beth Hong (July 13, 2011). "Osric Chau — Learning French Manners in Hong Kong". Schema magazine.
- ^ a b Leiren-Young, Mark. "Hollywood North: Vancouver actor Osric Chau plays dead on Supernatural". www.vancouversun.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
- ^ "2012 and beyond: rising star Osric Chau on screen in the East". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
- ^ Ching, Gene. "David Carradine in Spike TV's Kung Fu Killer". Kung Fu Magazine. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
- ^ Anderson. Kyle (November 10, 2014). "Nerdist Presents: The Walking Dead Parody By The Hillywood Show". Nerdist.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ Ratcliffe, Amy (May 21, 2015). "Nerdist Presents: Supernatural Meets Taylor Swift In A New Parody By The Hillywood Show". Nerdist.com. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ Grant, Stacey (May 21, 2015). "This "Supernatural" Taylor Swift Parody Is The Video Fans Didn't Know They Needed". BuzzFeed. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ Grant, Stacey (August 24, 2016). "Here's How The Hillywood Show Used Macklemore For The Perfect Sherlock Parody". MTV.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ "Osric Chau Starts 'Proud to Be Different' Represent Campaign". CDA News. 2015-08-03. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (2018-08-20). "Danny Pudi Set For 'Babysplitters'; 'Crazy Rich Asians' Star Chris Pang Joins Osric Chau In 'Empty By Design'". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
- ^ "Inside Osric Chau's Upcoming Indie Film 'Empty by Design'". Kore Asian Media. 2018-10-15. Archived from the original on 2018-11-03. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (September 26, 2019). "'Supernatural's Osric Chau Enters Arrowverse For 'Crisis On Infinite Earths' Crossover". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ "United Media Asia Inks First-Look Deal With Indonesia's Kompas Gramedia". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
- ^ Damore, Meagan (August 25, 2021). "Team Flash's Season 8 Roster Is Basically the Arrowverse's Justice League". CBR. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Jenna (December 7, 2021). "The Flash: "Armageddon, Part 4" Finally Gives SPOILER a Comic-Accurate Costume". ComicBook. Retrieved December 8, 2021.