What is John Cho's Net Worth?
John Cho is a renowned Korean-American actor with a net worth of $14 million. Cho is widely recognized for his roles as Sulu in the rebooted 'Star Trek' franchise and Harold Lee in the 'Harold & Kumar' film series. His breakthrough came with the 1999 film 'American Pie,' which launched his career into stardom. The 'Harold & Kumar' movies became cult classics, collectively grossing millions at the box office.
Cho has amassed over 110 acting credits, including notable films such as 'Total Recall' (2012), 'Identity Thief' (2013), and 'Searching' (2018). On television, he has appeared in series like 'Go On,' 'Sleepy Hollow,' 'Selfie,' and 'The Exorcist.' His voice has graced animated projects like 'Over the Moon,' 'American Dad!,' and 'BoJack Horseman.' Additionally, John pursued a music career as the lead vocalist of the L.A. garage rock band Viva La Union, releasing a self-titled album in 2009.
Early Life
John Cho, born Cho Yo-Han on June 16, 1972, in Seoul, South Korea, moved to America in 1978. Raised in a diverse set of cities including Seattle, Houston, Monterey Park, and Daly City, he eventually settled in Los Angeles. John graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale and later attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a B.A. in English. Notably, he toured nationally in a Berkeley Repertory Theatre production of 'The Woman Warrior' in 1994.
Career
After college, Cho was active in theater with East West Players and taught English at West Hollywood's Pacific Hills School. His early career involved performances in plays like 'The Taste of Kona Coffee' and 'My Tired Broke Ass Pontificating Slapstick Funk.' John's screen debut came in 1997 with roles in 'Shopping for Fangs' and 'Wag the Dog.' He appeared in popular TV shows such as 'Boston Common,' 'The Jeff Foxworthy Show,' 'Felicity,' and 'Charmed.' His filmography expanded with parts in 'American Beauty,' 'American Pie,' and 'Bowfinger.'
John reprised his role in several 'American Pie' sequels and held a main role on 'Off Centre.' In 2004, he starred alongside Kal Penn in 'Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,' marking the beginning of a successful series. Cho's portrayal of Hikaru Sulu in J.J. Abrams' 'Star Trek' films was another significant career milestone, earning him critical and commercial success. He continued to secure roles in TV shows like 'FlashForward,' 'Childrens Hospital,' '30 Rock,' and 'Selfie.' His 2018 performance in 'Searching' was widely acclaimed.
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Cho further appeared in films like 'Between Two Ferns: The Movie,' 'The Grudge,' and voiced characters in animated films such as 'Over the Moon.' He was also cast as the lead in Netflix's live-action adaptation of 'Cowboy Bebop.'
Personal Life
John married actress Kerri Higuch in 2006. They have two children: a son, Kage, born in May 2008, and a daughter born in February 2013. Cho has been an advocate against racism in Hollywood and promotes Asian representation in media. He gained attention for tweeting against the whitewashing of Asian roles and was the subject of the #StarringJohnCho campaign, which reimagined him as the lead in popular blockbuster movies.
Awards and Nominations
John Cho's talent has been acknowledged with numerous awards and nominations. In 2018, he received an Acting Achievement Award from the Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society for 'Searching,' which also garnered him an American Film Award for Best Actor. He and Kal Penn shared a Teen Choice Award nomination for their role in 'Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.' The 'Star Trek' cast earned ensemble awards and nominations from several film critics’ associations.
Real Estate
In March 2021, Cho purchased a $3.6 million home in Los Feliz, Los Angeles. The property features four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a stained-glass window, a curved stone staircase, a courtyard, and a swimming pool. John also owns a home in Silver Lake, which he bought for $1.3 million.
