# Hank Chen

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For the Taiwanese actor and comedian, see [Chen Han-dian](/source/Chen_Han-dian).

**Hank Chen** (born November 1, 1989) is an American actor and comedian best known for *[Life-Size 2](/source/Life-Size_2)* and [Robin Williams](/source/Robin_Williams)'s final theatrical release, *[The Angriest Man in Brooklyn](/source/The_Angriest_Man_in_Brooklyn)*.

## Early life and education

Born as Henry Chen in [Silver Spring, Maryland](/source/Silver_Spring,_Maryland) to Taiwanese immigrants, Chen spoke [Mandarin Chinese](/source/Mandarin_Chinese) at home before learning English. His parents are engineers. He has a younger sister.

Chen grew up in a religious and conservative household.[1] He is a founding member of advocacy group, [OneWheaton](/source/OneWheaton)[2][3] supporting [LGBT](/source/LGBT) students and alumni from his alma mater.[4]

Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.,[5] Chen graduated with an [International Baccalaureate](/source/International_Baccalaureate) diploma from [Springbrook High School](/source/Springbrook_High_School). At [Wheaton College](/source/Wheaton_College_(Illinois)), he majored in sociology with minors in Communications and English, and studied theatre at the [University of Westminster](/source/University_of_Westminster) in London. Chen remained near Chicago after graduation to work, take acting classes, and perform comedy.[6] He trained with [The Second City](/source/The_Second_City) and joined Stir Friday Night, a sketch comedy ensemble of Asian-American performers. Other SFN alumni include [Danny Pudi](/source/Danny_Pudi) and [Steven Yeun](/source/Steven_Yeun).[7] He attended the [Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University](/source/Actors_Studio_Drama_School_at_Pace_University) MFA program, moving to [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn), New York, where he began his career with a credit on *[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit](/source/Law_%26_Order:_Special_Victims_Unit)*.[8]

## Career

### Film and television

Chen has appeared on television since 2011 with credits including *[Blue Bloods](/source/Blue_Bloods_(TV_series))*, *[Lopez](/source/Lopez_(TV_series)),* and [*Transparent*](/source/Transparent_(TV_series)).

He made his film debut in *[The Angriest Man in Brooklyn](/source/The_Angriest_Man_in_Brooklyn)* opposite Robin Williams, followed up by roles in [Reese Witherspoon](/source/Reese_Witherspoon)-starrer *[Home Again](/source/Home_Again_(2017_film))*,[9] and [Janicza Bravo](/source/Janicza_Bravo)'s first full-length feature, *[Lemon](/source/Lemon_(2017_film))*.[10]

In 2018, Chen co-starred in [Freeform](/source/Freeform_(TV_channel))'s *[Life-Size 2](/source/Life-Size_2)* opposite [Tyra Banks](/source/Tyra_Banks) and [Francia Raisa](/source/Francia_Raisa).[11][12][13] In 2021, Chen co-starred in [Lifetime](/source/Lifetime_(TV_network))'s *[Holiday in Santa Fe](/source/Holiday_in_Santa_Fe)* opposite [Mario Lopez](/source/Mario_Lopez) and [Emeraude Toubia](/source/Emeraude_Toubia).

### Social media

As a young vlogger, Chen was very active on social media which led to many opportunities including being selected to host [Verizon](/source/Verizon)'s online campaign for 4G LTE in 2011.[14] Chen was the co-host of RealBeauty.com's comedy and fashion show, *Visible Panty Lines* from [Hearst Corporation](/source/Hearst_Corporation) in 2012.[15]

In 2013, Chen was among one of 100 influencers selected by [Ford Motor Company](/source/Ford_Motor_Company) to participate in the Ford Fiesta Movement in which creators were given a [Ford Fiesta](/source/Ford_Fiesta) and sent on "missions" for 6 months.[16][17] At the conclusion of the campaign, he was awarded "Best Vlog" for his first mission, *Fiesta Aqua Agent.*

### Stand-up comedy

Chen's debut comedy special, *Hank Chen: I'm Not Supposed to be Here* was taped and produced by Comedy Dynamics at the [El Portal Theatre](/source/El_Portal_Theatre) 6 days after he was involved in a motorcycle collision in spring 2023.[18] He was prescribed painkillers, wheeled on-stage, and performed sitting on a couch with a fractured pelvis.[19] The special premiered on streaming platforms and satellite radio later that year.

In 2023, he was recruited by producers, [Seven Graham](/source/Seven_Graham) and Alyssa Poteet to perform at the [Edinburgh Festival Fringe](/source/Edinburgh_Festival_Fringe) in [Edinburgh, Scotland](/source/Edinburgh,_Scotland) with LGBTQIA+ comedy show, *Alphabet Soup*.[20] The show was well-reviewed[21][22] and made additional international festival headlines when it became known the performers were staying at old [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War) base and [Cold War](/source/Cold_War) nuclear bunker, [Barnton Quarry](/source/Barnton_Quarry) due to the inflated costs of reasonable accommodations during that time of year in Edinburgh.[23][24][25][26][27] Graham made the decision "after being quoted £35,000 on [Airbnb](/source/Airbnb) for a month’s stay."[28]

## Filmography

### Film

Year Title Role Notes 2014 The Angriest Man in Brooklyn Damien 2014 Queers in the Kingdom: Let Your Light Shine Himself Documentary 2015 The Dark Side Patrick 2015 Bob Thunder: Internet Assassin Hank Chen 2016 When You Have Big Boobs Kevin Short 2016 Carry Me Assistant Short 2017 Lemon Lee 2017 Home Again Jason G. 2026 Ugly Cry

### Television

Year Title Role Notes 2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit P.A. Episode: "Pursuit" 2011 Blue Bloods Harry Bell Episode: "Model Behavior" 2011 High Maintenance Hank Episode: "Elijah" 2012 Big Morning Buzz Live Himself Episode: "Deborah Ann Woll/The Lumineers" 2014 Transparent Clayton Episode: "Moppa" 2014 Criminal Minds Chuck Ross Episode: "Fate" 2015 Community Various 2 episodes 2015 Rizzoli & Isles Waiter Episode: "Imitation Game" 2015 Baby Daddy Jonathan Episode: "What Happens In Vegas" 2015 Switched at Birth New Waiter Episode: "Borrowing Your Enemy's Arrows" 2015 Eastsiders Hipster Guy #2 3 episodes 2016 Disengaged Dezi Episode: "Dresses" 2016 Grace and Frankie Employee Episode: "The Bender" 2016 Lopez Mr. Chen 2 episodes 2016 NCIS: Los Angeles Minjun Rhee Episode: "Parallel Resistors" 2016 Mars 2060: The Colony Files Dennis McAlister Episode: "Solar Conjunction" 2017 Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders Dave McHenry Episode: "Cinderella and the Dragon" 2017 Casual Brent Episode: "The Table" 2017 Strangers Hank Episode: "Couples Counseling" 2017 The New 30 Joshua 4 episodes 2018 Scandal Justice Spivey's Clerk Episode: "Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself" 2018 Legion Ryan Episode: "Chapter 14" 2018 Alex, Inc. Dale Episode: "The Rube Goldberg Contraption" 2018 Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Himself Episode: "3.14" 2018 Life-Size 2 Brendan Television movie 2019 The OA Homer's Roommate 2 episodes 2021 Holiday in Santa Fe Kevin Television movie 2023 Hank Chen: I'm Not Supposed To Be Here Himself Stand-Up Special 2024 Hacks Lawrence Episode: "Join The Club"

## References

1. Tungol, JR (December 30, 2014). ["Gay, Asian and Christian: Hank Chen Shares His Struggles With Family and the Holidays"](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jr-tungol/gay-asian-and-christian-h_b_6378984.html). *[HuffPost](/source/HuffPost)*

1. Maxwell, Carrie (November 2, 2011). ["A Gay Group's Homecoming in Wheaton"](http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/A-gay-groups-homecoming-in-Wheaton/34534.html). *[Windy City Times](/source/Windy_City_Times)*

1. Damshenas, Sam (December 7, 2018). ["Hank Chen on working with Tyra Banks and being an openly gay actor in Hollywood"](https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/116242/hank-chen-on-working-with-tyra-banks-and-being-an-openly-gay-actor-in-hollywood). *[Gay Times](/source/Gay_Times)*

1. Reilly, Emily (September 2, 2020). ["LGBTQ+ actor Hank Chen talks OneWheaton, Tyra Banks and Robin Williams"](http://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LGBTQ-actor-Hank-Chen-talks-OneWheaton-Tyra-Banks-and-Robin-Williams/69169.html). *[Windy City Times](/source/Windy_City_Times)*

1. Riley, John (May 30, 2019). ["Comic Hank Chen performs a stand-up set to raise money for the Wanda Alston Foundation"](http://www.metroweekly.com/2019/05/comic-hank-chen-performs-a-stand-up-set-to-raise-money-for-the-wanda-alston-foundation/). *[Metro Weekly](/source/Metro_Weekly)*

1. Dean, Robert (April 9, 2024). ["Mr. Nice Guy: Meet Hank Chen"](https://www.blcomedy.com/blog/mr-nice-guy-meet-hank-chen). *Big Laugh Comedy*

1. Lee, Traci G. (December 21, 2016). ["If You Can't Beat Them, Laugh at Them: How Asian America Responded to Hollywood in 2016"](https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-year-in-review/if-you-can-t-beat-them-laugh-them-how-asian-n698401). [NBC News](/source/NBC_News)

1. Ngo, Tiffany (December 12, 2018). ["Actor Hank Chen Discusses New Projects and Building a Life You Love"](http://www.mochimag.com/mochi-magazine/actor-hank-chen-new-projects-building-life-you-love). *[Mochi](/source/Mochi_(magazine))*

1. Anderson, Tre'vell (January 10, 2019). ["The Newest Generation Of Hollywood Is More Queer Than Ever"](https://www.out.com/entertainment/2019/1/10/newest-generation-hollywood-more-queer-ever). *[Out](/source/Out_(magazine))*

1. D'Arcy, David (January 23, 2017). ["'Lemon': Review"](http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/lemon-review/5114071.article). *[Screen Daily](/source/Screen_Daily)*

1. Petski, Denise (July 9, 2018). ["Francia Raisa To Co-Star Opposite Tyra Banks In 'Life Size 2' On Freeform"](https://deadline.com/2018/07/francia-raisa-co-star-opposite-tyra-banks-life-size-2-freeform-1202423428/). *[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)*

1. Dawson, Lamar (December 3, 2018). [""Life Size 2" Star Hank Chen on Being the "Hot Asian Male" Tyra Banks Was Searching For"](https://www.logotv.com/news/oamskl/hank-chen-life-size-2). [Logo TV](/source/Logo_TV)

1. Jan, Kevin (December 2, 2018). ["Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Life-Size 2's Hank Chen"](https://pop-culturalist.com/exclusive-interview-pop-culturalist-chats-with-life-size-2s-hank-chen/). *Pop-Culturalist*

1. Lin, John (December 15, 2011). ["Asian American Commercial Watch: Hank Chen In Verizon's 4G LTE Campaign"](https://www.8asians.com/2011/12/15/asian-american-commercial-watch-hank-chen-in-verizons-4g-lte-campaign/). *8asians*

1. Alderman, Abigail (April 23, 2012). ["Hearst Partners with YouTube to Launch Two New TV Channels"](https://www.hearst.com/-/hearst-partners-with-youtube-to-launch-two-new-tv-channels). *[Hearst Communications](/source/Hearst_Communications)*

1. Cohen, Joshua (September 26, 2013). ["#SMWLA Preview: How The Ford Fiesta Movement Is Rethinking Branding"](https://www.tubefilter.com/2013/09/26/smwla-preview-ford-fiesta-movement/). *[Tubefilter](/source/Tubefilter)*

1. Zaccone, Alison (December 3, 2013). ["The Fiesta Movement"](https://www.nycrecessionista.com/2013/12/the-fiesta-movement.html). *NYC Recessionista*

1. Paul, Tyson (November 13, 2023). ["Hank Chen Talks New Comedy Special "I'm Not Supposed To Be Here" w/ We Own The Laughs.com"](https://weownthelaughs.com/2023/11/hank-chen-talks-new-comedy-special-im-not-supposed-to-be-here-w-we-own-the-laughs-com/). *We Own The Laughs*

1. Jan, Kevin (January 7, 2024). ["Exclusive Interview: Hank Chen Discusses Debut Comedy Special 'I'm Not Supposed To Be Here,' Overcoming Adversities, and Bringing Authenticity to His Humor"](https://pop-culturalist.com/exclusive-interview-hank-chen-discusses-debut-comedy-special-im-not-supposed-to-be-here-overcoming-adversities-and-bringing-authenticity-to-his-humor/). *Pop-Culturalist*

1. Rye, Amy (July 6, 2023). ["Fringe in 5 – Seven Graham AKA 7G"](https://lostintheatreland.wpcomstaging.com/2023/07/06/fringe-in-5-seven-graham-aka-7g/). *Lost In Theatreland*

1. Charles, David (August 11, 2023). ["Alphabet Soup, Le Monde - Shanghai, Review"](https://edinburghguide.com/festival/2023/alphabet-soup-le-monde-shanghai-review-21257). *EdinburghGuide.com*

1. Pheonix, Bronwen Winter (August 15, 2023). ["A Review of Alphabet Soup, Fringe 2023"](https://edinburgh-reviews.co.uk/a-review-of-alphabet-soup-fringe-2023/). *Edinburgh Reviews*

1. Quinn, kevin (July 18, 2023). ["Edinburgh Fringe Festival: LGBTQIA+ performers to stay at disused nuclear bunker"](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/edinburgh-fringe-festival-lgbtqia-performers-to-stay-at-disused-nuclear-bunker-4223292). *Edinburgh Evening News*

1. Kennedy, Vanessa (August 6, 2023). ["US performers staying in disused bunker to avoid Fringe rent costs"](https://news.stv.tv/east-central/edinburgh-fringe-lgbtq-group-from-us-staying-in-disused-nuclear-bunker-to-avoid-soaring-rents). *STV News*

1. Beresford, Paige (August 8, 2023). ["'Super Spooky' Accommodation in Edinburgh is so expensive we've been forced to sleep in nuclear bunker"](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/money/11066682/accommodation-edinburgh-expensive-forced-sleep-nuclear-bunker/). *The Scottish Sun*

1. Farr, Jacob (August 8, 2023). ["Edinburgh Fringe performers from US sleep in nuclear bunker to avoid paying for hotels"](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-fringe-performers-sleep-nuclear-27478868). *Edinburgh Live*

1. Logan, Brian (August 15, 2023). ["The Edinburgh fringe is back! But is it still the heart of the comedy scene?"](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/aug/15/the-edinburgh-fringe-is-back-but-is-it-still-the-heart-of-the-comedy-scene). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*

1. Al-Hassan, Aliya (August 11, 2023). ["Fringe Performers ALPHABET SOUP Stay in Nuclear Bunker to Combat Accommodation Costs"](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Fringe-Performers-ALPHABET-SOUP-Stay-in-Nuclear-Bunker-to-Combat-Accommodation-Costs-20230811). *Broadway World UK*

## External links

- [Hank Chen](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3777851/) at IMDb
- [Hank Chen](http://www.instagram.com/Hanksterchen/) on [Instagram](/source/Instagram)
- [Hank Chen](http://www.facebook.com/Hanksterchen/) on [Facebook](/source/Facebook)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hank Chen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Chen) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Chen?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.