Steven Yeun (Korean: ì—°ìƒì—½; born December 21, 1983) is a Korean American actor. He is known for portraying Glenn Rhee in the AMC series The Walking Dead (2010â€"present). Prior to this, Yeun appeared in an independent film and a few short films. He has also provided voice work for the Crysis video game series, and played Wan in The Legend of Korra (2013).
Early life
Yeun was born in Seoul, South Korea to first-generation South Korean parents Je and June Yeun. His father was an architect in South Korea before moving his family to Regina, Saskatchewan and later moved to Michigan. Yeun was raised in Troy, Michigan in a Christian household. His parents owned two beauty supply stores in Detroit. Yeun received a bachelor's degree in psychology and a concentration in neuroscience from Kalamazoo College in 2005. At Kalamazoo, he met Jordan Klepper through Klepper's sister and later followed him to Chicago to join Second City.
Career
Yeun's interest in acting and improv came during his freshman year at Kalamazoo, when he watched the college's improv group, Monkapult. He auditioned for Monkapult, but was initially rejected before successfully joining the group during his sophomore year.
Yeun revealed to his parents that he planned to pursue an improv career in Chicago instead of enrolling in law school or medical school. His parents, while unhappy with the decision, were supportive, according to Yeun, and gave him two years to pursue acting. He moved to Chicago in 2005, living in the city's Lincoln Square with his brother. Shortly after graduation, he joined Stir Friday Night, a sketch comedy group composed of Asian-American members.
Yeun joined The Second City in Chicago before moving to Los Angeles in October 2009. In 2010, he joined the cast of The Walking Dead as Glenn Rhee.
Personal life
Yeun is an investor of The Bun Shop, a Korean-Mediterranean fusion restaurant in Koreatown, Los Angeles owned by his younger brother Brian Yeun and business partner James Seok.
Filmography
Film
Television
Video games
References
External links
- Steven Yeun at the Internet Movie Database
- Steve Yeun's Twitter
- Steven Yeun's Tumblr
