--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know Asian actors out there won't even…" description: "\"I know Asian actors out there won't even audition for a role that have an accent. But for me, I was the kid with an accent. I still have an accent to s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/553/jimmy-o-yang-8131_asian_i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even_2275017.jpg" --- # I know Asian actors out there won't even audition for a… ![“I know Asian actors out there won't even audition for a role that have an accent. But for me, I was the kid with an accent. I still have an accent to some degree.” quote by Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/553/jimmy-o-yang-8131_asian_i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even_2275017.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/553/jimmy-o-yang-8131_asian_i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even_2275017.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/553/jimmy-o-yang-8131_asian_i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even_2275017.jpg) > “I know Asian actors out there won't even audition for a role that have an accent. But for me, I was the kid with an accent. I still have an accent to some degree.” [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker notes that accent bias limits opportunities, yet personal experience shows accents persist despite efforts to conform. **In simple terms:** Accents face discrimination in casting. Key Takeaway Advocate for inclusive casting practices. Themes diversity bias representation identity Mood critical determined Type social inspirational When to use this quote - auditions - casting decisions - media representation - career advice Key Concepts accent discrimination industry standards self‑acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How can casting directors reduce accent bias? - What role does self‑acceptance play in career success? A Different Perspective Changing industry norms takes time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accent Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accent-kid-5287693/) [Asian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian/) [Asian Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian-actors-386234/) [Audition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audition/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Kid Accent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kid-accent-5287694/) [Role](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role/) [Role Accent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-accent-4588401/) [Still](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/still/) ## Related quotes > [Other Asian actors, especially American-born actors, sometimes shy away from immigrant roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/other-asian-actors-especially-american-born-actors-sometimes-shy-away/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [It has to be a very specific role for me because of my accent. I can't complain; I've been working since I got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-vergara/it-has-to-be-a-very-specific-role-for-me-because-of-my-accent-i-can-t/) [Sofia Vergara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-vergara/) > [I always tell Asian actors, especially Filipinos wanting to break into Hollywood, to study, study and study and show their best. I haven't stopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-lee/i-always-tell-asian-actors-especially-filipinos-wanting-to-break-into/) [Reggie Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-lee/) > [What I'm known for - 'Game of Thrones,' 'Star Wars' - they film in England, but they're American productions. Because American productions are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-henwick/what-i-m-known-for-game-of-thrones-star-wars-they-film-in-england-but/) [Jessica Henwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-henwick/) > [Hollywood likes to put actors in boxes, and it likes to put Asian actors in really small boxes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-oh/hollywood-likes-to-put-actors-in-boxes-and-it-likes-to-put-asian/) [Sandra Oh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-oh/) > [It's always fun to see faces that are either familiar or resemble yours. I was fascinated by movies like 'Big Trouble in Little China'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ng-chin-han/it-s-always-fun-to-see-faces-that-are-either-familiar-or-resemble/) [Ng Chin Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ng-chin-han/) > [My major intention for coming to Hollywood - besides the fact that I was just enamored with acting from a very young age -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/my-major-intention-for-coming-to-hollywood-besides-the-fact-that-i/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [I do think it's getting better, but I have noticed that Asians are not well represented in awards shows, and not a ton of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-tom/i-do-think-it-s-getting-better-but-i-have-noticed-that-asians-are-not/) [Lauren Tom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-tom/) > [The more visibility, the more opportunities for Asian-American actors to play great roles. It goes to the studios opening up roles they might not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nahnatchka-khan/the-more-visibility-the-more-opportunities-for-asian-american-actors/) [Nahnatchka Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nahnatchka-khan/) > [I believe that we are still hovering around the realm of Asians playing all types of Asians. I do not see that changing any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-yeun/i-believe-that-we-are-still-hovering-around-the-realm-of-asians/) [Steven Yeun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-yeun/) > [I have to also get into producing if I want to see these stories being made... Let's venture out and do projects with people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-wright/i-have-to-also-get-into-producing-if-i-want-to-see-these-stories/) [Letitia Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-wright/) > [We should realise that Hollywood is not obliged to write roles for Asian actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-bedi/we-should-realise-that-hollywood-is-not-obliged-to-write-roles-for/) [Kabir Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-bedi/) > [When it comes to period stuff, I think it's great to see South-Asian actors get their foot in the door there, because it's nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/himesh-patel/when-it-comes-to-period-stuff-i-think-it-s-great-to-see-south-asian/) [Himesh Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/himesh-patel/) > [It'd be nice if Asian actors could be perceived as profitable, which is the bottom line. We're perceived as not mattering much fiscally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/it-d-be-nice-if-asian-actors-could-be-perceived-as-profitable-which/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [Kim's' gave me my first opportunity to portray an Asian character with significant story arcs and subtleties that most Western Asian actors can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simu-liu/kim-s-gave-me-my-first-opportunity-to-portray-an-asian-character-with/) [Simu Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simu-liu/) ## More by Jimmy O. Yang > [When you are in America, at least for me, as an immigrant, I try to be as Americanized as I could. I just want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/when-you-are-in-america-at-least-for-me-as-an-immigrant-i-try-to-be/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [A lot of people go on this journey of finding themselves and then eventually realize that their true self wasn't on the outside but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/a-lot-of-people-go-on-this-journey-of-finding-themselves-and-then/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I tried a bunch of things, like Jiu Jitsu boxing classes. I don't know why, but I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-tried-a-bunch-of-things-like-jiu-jitsu-boxing-classes-i-don-t-know/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [When I quit my internship and started doing standup to pursue my dreams and do that full time - I feel like that's when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/when-i-quit-my-internship-and-started-doing-standup-to-pursue-my/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I don't know why people feel the need to do this to me, but my friend asked my dad, 'Aren't your proud of Jimmy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-don-t-know-why-people-feel-the-need-to-do-this-to-me-but-my-friend/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I came to this country when I was 13 years old, I couldn't really speak English, and I had an accent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-came-to-this-country-when-i-was-13-years-old-i-couldn-t-really/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [Silicon Valley,' I mean, the comedy is amazing, and it's one of the best-written shows with some of the best talent. I'm really happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/silicon-valley-i-mean-the-comedy-is-amazing-and-it-s-one-of-the-best/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [When you're 1 out of 5 Asian people on TV, all the pressure is on you and you have to represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/when-you-re-1-out-of-5-asian-people-on-tv-all-the-pressure-is-on-you/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [When I became an American citizen, nothing's changed because I'm still Asian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/when-i-became-an-american-citizen-nothing-s-changed-because-i-m-still/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [Comedy and drama are like two different sports; they both require athleticism but they're different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/comedy-and-drama-are-like-two-different-sports-they-both-require/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [Mother always tries to buy things for a reasonable price. I was never allowed to buy things at full price. Probably, it's rooted in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/mother-always-tries-to-buy-things-for-a-reasonable-price-i-was-never/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I hope I can get to more and more of the Chinese audience and kind of lead the way to maybe, y'know, inspire seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-hope-i-can-get-to-more-and-more-of-the-chinese-audience-and-kind-of/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I went to school for economics, and especially in Asian culture it's not really a viable job for my family to be an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-went-to-school-for-economics-and-especially-in-asian-culture-it-s/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [Other Asian actors, especially American-born actors, sometimes shy away from immigrant roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/other-asian-actors-especially-american-born-actors-sometimes-shy-away/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I guess I've lived my whole life as an outsider.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-guess-i-ve-lived-my-whole-life-as-an-outsider/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) [Explore all 84 Jimmy O. Yang quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) ## More Asian quotes > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/if-you-do-a-black-character-or-a-female-character-or-an-asian/) [Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/) > [When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/when-i-made-it-i-still-didn-t-wave-the-flag-and-say-yeah-go-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [When you are in America, at least for me, as an immigrant, I try to be as Americanized as I could. I just want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/when-you-are-in-america-at-least-for-me-as-an-immigrant-i-try-to-be/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I always tell Asian actors, especially Filipinos wanting to break into Hollywood, to study, study and study and show their best. I haven't stopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-lee/i-always-tell-asian-actors-especially-filipinos-wanting-to-break-into/) [Reggie Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-lee/) > [The narrative needs to change. Asian-American actresses don't want to be the damsels in distress anymore. We don't want to be saved, especially by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-chung/the-narrative-needs-to-change-asian-american-actresses-don-t-want-to/) [Jamie Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-chung/) > [It's always fun to see faces that are either familiar or resemble yours. I was fascinated by movies like 'Big Trouble in Little China'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ng-chin-han/it-s-always-fun-to-see-faces-that-are-either-familiar-or-resemble/) [Ng Chin Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ng-chin-han/) > [In view of China's growing military strength and intentions, the best way to safeguard Asia's permanent peace and prosperity is to have all Asian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-costa/in-view-of-china-s-growing-military-strength-and-intentions-the-best/) [Jim Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-costa/) > [I think Li Na and some other Chinese ladies have done so many amazing things for Asian tennis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kei-nishikori/i-think-li-na-and-some-other-chinese-ladies-have-done-so-many-amazing/) [Kei Nishikori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kei-nishikori/) > [I don't want to have people brought in simply because they are black or Asian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-phillips/i-don-t-want-to-have-people-brought-in-simply-because-they-are-black/) [Trevor Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-phillips/) > [We grew up in rural Arkansas without any Koreans close by, and when I go to Korea feel out of place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-isaac-chung/we-grew-up-in-rural-arkansas-without-any-koreans-close-by-and-when-i/) [Lee Isaac Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-isaac-chung/) > [I've been lucky to come up when there's such a huge explosion of women, and especially Asian women, in music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-zauner/i-ve-been-lucky-to-come-up-when-there-s-such-a-huge-explosion-of/) [Michelle Zauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-zauner/) > [I knew I was half Chinese, but Iceland is so homogenous that I wasn't able to identify with the Asian part of myself. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/i-knew-i-was-half-chinese-but-iceland-is-so-homogenous-that-i-wasn-t/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) [Browse all 1,157 Asian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I know Asian actors out there won't even audition for a role that have an accent. But for me, I was the kid with an accent. I still have an accent to some degree.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jimmy O. Yang" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even-audition-for-a-role-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even-audition-for-a-role-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/553/jimmy-o-yang-8131_asian_i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even_2275017.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/553/jimmy-o-yang-8131_asian_i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even_2275017.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/553/jimmy-o-yang-8131_asian_i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even_2275017.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I know Asian actors out there won't even audition for a role that have an accent. But for me, I was the kid…” — Jimmy O. Yang", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jimmy O. Yang", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I know Asian actors out there...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even-audition-for-a-role-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/i-know-asian-actors-out-there-won-t-even-audition-for-a-role-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```