Joseph Lee (actor)

Joseph Lee
Born
Lee Joe-yun

(1987-12-29) December 29, 1987 (age 36)
Arizona, United States
Occupations
  • Actor
  • artist
Years active2011–present
Websitejosephleeart.com

Lee Joe-yun[1] (born December 29, 1987), known professionally as Joseph Lee, is an American actor and artist. He is best known for his role in the Netflix limited series Beef (2023), which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Career

Lee was born in Arizona and raised in Indiana.[1] He started acting in high school.[2] He studied political science with a minor in history at Purdue University in Indiana.[1] He moved to Los Angeles, California, in the early 2010s to pursue acting, but soon additionally took up painting, especially portraits, inspired by inherited photographs of his late father.[3] Though it began as a hobby, art became a significant part of his career as his work developed a following on Instagram.[2][4]

In 2018, Lee worked in South Korea as an actor in the drama series The Miracle We Met.[1]

Lee played George Nakai, the sculptor husband of Amy Lau (Ali Wong), in the comedy drama Beef, which was released on Netflix on April 6, 2023.[1][3] He found the show "refreshing" in its layered portrayal of Asian-American life.[1][5] At the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, he was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Beef.[6]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2011 Nerve Eric
2015 Lion Ken
2018 Searching Peter

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Rizzoli & Isles Eric Chen Episode: "If You Can't Stand the Heat"
2016 NCIS: Los Angeles Sung Ahn Episode: "Seoul Man"
2018 The Miracle We Met Geum Sung-moo Main role; 5 episodes
2023 Beef George Nakai Main role; 10 episodes
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
2023 Star Trek: Picard Lt. Mura 10 episodes

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Chak, Ashlyn (April 21, 2023). "'It was very comforting to be childlike in my love for something': Beef star Joseph Lee on the Netflix show's nuanced portrayal of Asian-American men". South China Morning Post. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Tauer, Kristen (April 6, 2023). "Meet 'Beef' Star Joseph Lee". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Murphy, Chris (April 11, 2023). "For Beef's Joseph Lee, Art Imitates Life". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Seo, Rachel. "'What the F— Is Happening?': How Steven Yeun, Ali Wong and the 'Beef' Cast Filmed Netflix's Most Chaotic Dramedy Yet". Variety. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  5. ^ He, Sirena (April 10, 2023). "You Don't Want to Fight with BEEF's Joseph Lee". Esquire. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  6. ^ Gomez Sarmiento, Isabella (July 12, 2023). "Here are the 2023 Emmy Award nominations". National Public Radio. Retrieved July 12, 2023.