Kenneth Choi

Biography:

Kenneth Choi (born October 20, 1971) is an American actor best recognized for his diverse television and film roles. He is known for playing Henry Lin on Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014), Chester Ming in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), and Judge Lance Ito in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016). In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he portrayed Jim Morita in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and later returned as Principal Morita in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). From 2018 onward, he has starred as firefighter Howie “Chimney” Han in the Fox/ABC drama series 9-1-1. He also had a recurring role as Lewis in The Last Man on Earth (2016–2017).

Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Korean immigrant parents, Choi grew up as the middle child of three. His father worked as an electrical engineering professor and businessman, while his mother was a nurse who later became a homemaker. He attended Longwood Elementary in Glenwood and later Brookwood School District 167 for intermediate and junior high. During his school years, Choi was a breakdancer, cross-country runner, and gymnast at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, where he set a sophomore record in the pommel horse. Though he dreamed of acting, his parents—particularly his father—pushed him toward a stable profession such as accounting. Following their advice, he enrolled at Purdue University as an accounting major, but ultimately dropped out to pursue acting. Choi later explained that because of his strict upbringing, when he chose to follow his dream, he severed ties with his family and moved away from the Midwest.

Choi relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he worked at a Blockbuster video store while training in acting for five years under local coaches, including Paul Warner. His first role was in the Disney Channel film Halloweentown alongside Debbie Reynolds. In 1999, he moved to Los Angeles to advance his career.

His film credits include The Wolf of Wall Street, Captain America: The First Avenger (as Jim Morita), Red Dawn (2012), Suicide Squad (2016), and Spider-Man: Homecoming (as Principal Morita, the grandson of his earlier character). On television, he has appeared in series such as Ironside, Allegiance, Longmire, The Newsroom, Glee, Heroes, 24, Lincoln Heights, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, House M.D., and The King of Queens.

Choi also voiced Jim Morita in the video game Captain America: Super Soldier and appeared as a gangster in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004). In 2018, he took on roles in Counterpart, Gringo, and Hotel Artemis. Additionally, starting with season 14 of King of the Hill, he became the voice of Ted Wassanasong, succeeding Toby Huss.