Will Yun Lee
Early Life and Background
Will Yun Lee was born on March 22, 1971, in Arlington, Virginia, United States. He is of Korean-American heritage and was raised in a family deeply rooted in martial arts. His father, Soo Wong Lee, is a renowned Taekwondo grandmaster, while his mother, Jing Ja Lee, is a Korean immigrant.
Due to his father’s martial arts teaching career, Will moved frequently as a child, attending over 20 schools before graduating. His upbringing combined discipline from martial arts with the curiosity of a multicultural background.
Education
Will earned a full athletic scholarship to UC Berkeley, where he majored in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. Though he initially trained to become a martial artist professionally, his passion for performance eventually drew him toward acting.
Career Highlights
Television
Will Yun Lee gained early recognition for his role as Danny Woo in the supernatural action series Witchblade. He went on to star as Jae Kim in Bionic Woman and earned recurring roles in several major shows, including:
- Hawaii Five-0 as Sang Min
- True Blood as Mr. Gus
- Altered Carbon as Takeshi Kovacs (alternate body)
- The Good Doctor as Dr. Alex Park
In 2022, he starred as Marvelous Man in Netflix’s superhero satire The Guardians of Justice.
Film
Will has played supporting roles in several blockbuster films:
- Die Another Day (2002)
- Elektra (2005)
- Torque (2004)
- The King of Fighters (2010)
- The Wolverine (2013) as Kenuichio Harada
Voice Acting and Video Games
Will is also known for voicing Wei Shen, the lead character in the hit video game Sleeping Dogs, praised for its storytelling and immersive gameplay.
Personal Life
Marriage and Children
Will Yun Lee has been married to actress Jennifer Birmingham since October 2010. Their wedding took place in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The couple has one son, Cash, born in June 2013. In a heartfelt public revelation, Will shared that Cash was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease, a rare and serious brain condition, at just three years old. The family has since become vocal supporters of Moyamoya research and awareness.
Life Off-Screen
Away from Hollywood, Will is a lifelong martial artist and often credits his Taekwondo training for his discipline and resilience. He actively supports Asian-American representation in media and is involved in health and wellness advocacy.
Awards and Recognition
- Named one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” (2002)
- Featured in Sexiest Men Alive listings
- Honored for his contributions to Asian-American representation in entertainment
Fun Facts
- Will began martial arts training at the age of 3.
- He has a black belt in Taekwondo.
- He is trilingual: English, Korean, and some Japanese.
- He once considered joining the U.S. Secret Service before becoming an actor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Will Yun Lee married?
Yes. He married actress Jennifer Birmingham in October 2010.
2. Does Will Yun Lee have children?
Yes, he has a son named Cash, born in June 2013.
3. What is Will Yun Lee known for?
He is best known for Witchblade, The Wolverine, Altered Carbon, and voicing Wei Shen in Sleeping Dogs.
4. What is Moyamoya disease?
It’s a rare brain condition affecting blood vessels. Will’s son Cash was diagnosed with it at age 3.
5. Is Will Yun Lee still acting?
Yes, he continues to act in film, television, and voiceover roles.
