Brian Tee

Brian Tee – Life, Career, and Memorable Insights

Brian Tee (born March 15, 1977) — American actor of Korean-Japanese descent. Discover his journey from early life to major TV/film roles, his philosophy, and notable quotes.

Introduction

Brian Tee (real name Jae-Beom Takata) is an American actor known for his versatile performances in both television and film. He has gained wide recognition for his role as Dr. Ethan Choi on Chicago Med (2015–2022), as well as his appearances in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, The Wolverine, Jurassic World, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, and more.

His career demonstrates persistence, adaptability, and commitment to representation in Hollywood. In what follows, we explore his early life, career trajectory, legacy and influence, personality and approach, a few notable quotes, and lessons from his experience.

Early Life and Family

Brian Tee was born March 15, 1977, in Okinawa, Japan, to a Japanese-American father and a Korean mother.

When he was about 2 years old, his family relocated to Hacienda Heights, California, where he grew up. While in high school at Glen A. Wilson High School, he was involved in leadership and athletics — serving as Associated Student Body president and captain of the football team. He also worked part-time during his schooling at Blackjack Pizza.

Tee later went to the University of California, Berkeley, earning a degree in theater and performing arts.

His birth name, Jae-Beom Takata, was changed professionally to “Brian Tee.” According to Tee, he adopted a more “culturally ambiguous” stage name after facing casting difficulties due to his Japanese last name.

Career and Achievements

Beginnings & Television Guest Roles

Tee’s on-screen career began in the early 2000s, with guest roles in shows like The Pretender (2000) Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Invisible Man, Family Law, 18 Wheels of Justice, and JAG. He appeared in shows such as Zoey 101 (as “Kazu”), Grey’s Anatomy, Entourage, Crash, Grimm, Burn Notice, Bones, Dark Blue, and more.

These early roles gave him experience across varying genres, building skills in drama, action, and recurring character arcs.

Film Roles & Breakthroughs

One of Tee’s better-known early film roles was as Takashi “D.K.” (Drift King) in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). He also appeared in We Were Soldiers (2002) Austin Powers in Goldmember (as a pedestrian) Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation (2004) Fun with Dick & Jane (2005)

In 2013, he played the role Noburo Mori in The Wolverine. In 2015, he appeared in Jurassic World as a commander in the Asset Containment Unit. He also portrayed Shredder / Oroku Saki in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016).

These roles established his presence in action and blockbuster cinema.

Chicago Med & Television Stardom

Tee’s most prominent television role began in 2015, when he joined NBC’s medical drama Chicago Med as Dr. Ethan Choi — a former Navy flight surgeon specializing in infectious disease and the Emergency Department.

He remained a series regular for eight seasons, building a fan base for his portrayal and earning recognition for Asian-American representation in a leading dramatic role.

In 2022, Tee departed from his regular role on Chicago Med. However, he has since returned to direct episodes and has discussed the potential of reprising his character.

Beyond Chicago Med, more recent projects include appearing in Expats (2024) alongside Nicole Kidman, and being cast in Reacher Season 3 in 2025 as Xavier Quinn / Julius McCabe.

Legacy & Influence

While Brian Tee’s career is still ongoing, his influence is already meaningful:

• Representation: As an Asian-American actor with mixed Korean-Japanese background playing lead roles in mainstream U.S. television, he contributes to broader visibility in Hollywood.

• Versatility across genres: From medical drama to action franchises, historical war films, superhero villains, and ensemble casts, Tee has shown range and adaptability.

• Directing & growth: His move into directing episodes of Chicago Med signals growth beyond acting.

• Cultural bridging: His multilingual ability (Japanese, Korean, English) and bi-cultural roots allow him to take roles spanning American and Asian contexts.

As future roles evolve, his legacy may increasingly be defined by how he shapes character depth and contributes behind the scenes as well.

Personality, Talents & Approach

From interviews and background, a few traits stand out in Brian Tee’s professional persona:

• Resilience and persistence: Early in his career, he took numerous smaller roles and auditions, even changing his stage name to adapt in an industry with heavy stereotyping.

• Commitment to craft: His theater training and willingness to take on challenging roles (even antagonists or villains) show a drive to grow.

• Collaboration and leadership: His long run on a series like Chicago Med suggests ability to sustain character arcs and relationships with cast and crew.

• Cultural awareness: He has spoken about the importance of representation, and his own heritage plays a part in how he approaches roles.

He appears to balance ambition with humility, steadily building a body of work rather than seeking instant stardom.

Notable Quotes

While Brian Tee is more known for his work than for quotable soundbites, here are a few remarks and sentiments associated with him:

• On his character in Chicago Med and its impact on representation, he has said that playing Dr. Ethan Choi “catapulted me into a different arena ... where I feel the perception of … Asian Americans had been changed.”

• Reflecting on his departure from Chicago Med, Tee described the role as a “gift and a blessing,” acknowledging how meaningful it was to him.

• Regarding his desire to return, he commented: “There’s always conversation [about] returning on screen … it’s interesting … you never say goodbye.”

Though not a large set of quotes, these expressions reflect his conscious engagement with identity, representation, and career decisions.

Lessons from Brian Tee’s Journey

1. Adapt to challenges with pragmatism
   Changing his name to navigate casting bias demonstrates strategic adaptation without losing identity.

2. Versatility is an asset
   Working across television, film, drama, action, and genre projects keeps one relevant and resilient.

3. Long-term projects can build trust
   Sustaining a regular role over many seasons (in Chicago Med) helps show depth and reliability.

4. Growth behind the camera matters
   Expanding into directing indicates investment in the craft and industry longevity.

5. Representation has real impact
   Roles in high-profile series send signals to audiences, casting directors, and future generations about what is possible.

Conclusion

Brian Tee’s path—from his multicultural roots and early life in California, to diverse guest roles and eventual starring parts—illustrates a steady climb grounded in skill, perseverance, and awareness. His performance as Dr. Ethan Choi elevated his visibility and affirmed the importance of Asian-American leads in mainstream media.

As he continues branching into directing and new roles (e.g. Expats, Reacher), his influence will likely grow. For fans of dynamic, thoughtful acting and representation in entertainment, Brian Tee is a figure worth following.