Steven Yeun
Encyclopedia
Steven Yeun is a Korean
-born American
actor. Yeun is currently starring in the role of Glenn in AMC's original series, The Walking Dead
since 2010. Other than The Walking Dead, Yeun guest starred in the critically acclaimed American sit-com The Big Bang Theory
as Sheldon's former room mate Sebastian in 2010, an independent film, and a couple shorts. He has also completed voice work for the Crysis
video game series.
and raised in Troy, Michigan
. His parents owned two beauty supply stores in Detroit.
Yeun received a bachelor's degree
in psychology
from Kalamazoo College
in 2005. His interest in acting and improv
came during his freshman year at Kalamazoo, when he watched the college's improv group, Monkapult. He auditioned for Monkapult, but was initially rejected before successfully joining the group during his sophomore year.
Yeun revealed to his parents that he planned to pursue an improv career in Chicago
, instead of enrolling in law school or medical school. His parents, while unhappy with the decision, were supportive, according to Yeun, and gave him two years to pursue acting. He moved to Chicago in 2005, living in the city's Lincoln Square
with his brother. Shortly after graduation, he joined Stir Friday Night, a sketch comedy group composed of Asian-American members.
Yeun joined The Second City
in Chicago before moving to Los Angeles
in October 2009.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
-born American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor. Yeun is currently starring in the role of Glenn in AMC's original series, The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead (TV series)
The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series developed for television by Frank Darabont and based on the ongoing comic book series, The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard...
since 2010. Other than The Walking Dead, Yeun guest starred in the critically acclaimed American sit-com The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the show, along with Steven Molaro. All three also serve as head writers...
as Sheldon's former room mate Sebastian in 2010, an independent film, and a couple shorts. He has also completed voice work for the Crysis
Crysis
Crysis is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek , published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, and released in November 2007. It is the first game of a trilogy. A separate game entitled Crysis Warhead was released on September 12, 2008, and follows similar...
video game series.
Biography
The son of Je and June Yeun, Yeun was born in South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and raised in Troy, Michigan
Troy, Michigan
Troy is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan, and is a suburb of Detroit. The population was 80,980 at the 2010 census, making it the 11th-largest city in Michigan by population, and the largest city in Oakland County...
. His parents owned two beauty supply stores in Detroit.
Yeun received a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
from Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College, also known as K College or simply K, is a private liberal arts college in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1833, the college is among the 100 oldest in the country. Today, it produces more Peace Corps volunteers per capita than any other U.S...
in 2005. His interest in acting and improv
Improvisational theatre
Improvisational theatre takes many forms. It is best known as improv or impro, which is often comedic, and sometimes poignant or dramatic. In this popular, often topical art form improvisational actors/improvisers use improvisational acting techniques to perform spontaneously...
came during his freshman year at Kalamazoo, when he watched the college's improv group, Monkapult. He auditioned for Monkapult, but was initially rejected before successfully joining the group during his sophomore year.
Yeun revealed to his parents that he planned to pursue an improv career in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, instead of enrolling in law school or medical school. His parents, while unhappy with the decision, were supportive, according to Yeun, and gave him two years to pursue acting. He moved to Chicago in 2005, living in the city's Lincoln Square
Lincoln Square
Lincoln Square may mean:*Lincoln Square, Chicago*Lincoln Square, New York*Lincoln Square , Washington*Lincoln Square, near Albert Square, Manchester, England*Lincoln Square , Australia...
with his brother. Shortly after graduation, he joined Stir Friday Night, a sketch comedy group composed of Asian-American members.
Yeun joined The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
in Chicago before moving to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in October 2009.
Filmography
| Films | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Other Notes |
| 2009 2009 in film The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note... |
The Kari Files | Chip | (short) |
| My Name is Jerry My Name is Jerry My Name Is Jerry is an upcoming independent dramatic comedy film released on DVD on October 19, 2010. by Clothespin Films LLC, in association with the Institute for Digital Entertainment and Education at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.It stars Doug Jones as Jerry Arthur: a... |
Chaz | ||
| 2010 2010 in film The year 2010 saw many new films released worldwide. 2010 saw a dramatic increase and prominence in the use of 3D-technology in filmmaking and film releases after the success of Avatar in the format, with releases such as Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans, Jackass 3D, all animated films and... |
Blowout Sale | Customer | (short) |
| The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the show, along with Steven Molaro. All three also serve as head writers... |
Sebastian | ||
| Carpe Millennium | Kevin | (short, part of the "A Moment of Youth" short film compilation) | |
| The Walking Dead The Walking Dead (TV series) The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series developed for television by Frank Darabont and based on the ongoing comic book series, The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard... |
Glenn | Series Regular role (2010-present) | |
Video Games
| Games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Other Notes |
| 2007 2007 in film This is a list of major films released in 2007.-Top grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2007... |
Crysis Crysis Crysis is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek , published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, and released in November 2007. It is the first game of a trilogy. A separate game entitled Crysis Warhead was released on September 12, 2008, and follows similar... |
Korean Soldier 2 | (voice) |
| 2008 2008 in film This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008... |
Crysis Warhead Crysis Warhead Crysis Warhead is a science fiction first-person shooter computer game developed by the studio Crytek Budapest, Hungary, and published by Electronic Arts. Crysis Warhead is a stand-alone expansion game and does not require Crysis installed to play... |
Korean Soldier | (voice) |