8 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Are Asian

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They say Asians are underrepresented in Hollywood. It definitely looks like it when the only names you’ll come up with are Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu and that Asian guy from Harold & Kumar. But take a look at these eight seemingly white celebrities who are in fact Asian. Just because your last name isn’t Chan, doesn’t mean you’re not Asian.

1. Keanu Reeves.

It would never cross your mind that this hunky policeman in Speed was any part Asian, but he is. In fact, when it comes to his ancestry, Keanu has his own league of nations with Portugese and Irish blood also rushing through his veins. But his Asian genes originate from his Chinese grandmother, which makes him a quarter Asian.

2. Bruno Mars.

Famous for his golden crisp baritone and willing to catch a grenade for you, Bruno’s mum is Filipino.

3. Rob Schneider.

With a last name like Schneider there’s no guessing of this comedian’s Jewish heritage, but he also has Asian bloodlines thanks to his Filipino grandmother.

4. Enrique Iglesias.

This gorgeous man is generally known as a Spanish singer, but did you know that his mum was Filipino? Yup, blew my mind too.

5. Vanessa Hudgens.

She is half Filipino-Chinese, from her mother’s side. There must be something in the Filipinos’ water; they sure do produce some extraordinary voices.

6. Eddie Van Halen.

He may have a swanky Dutch last name that became the name of his legendary band but Van Halen’s mum was Indonesian thus making him half Asian.

7. Dean Cain.

It turns out that even Superman has Asian blood gushing through his veins. Well, at least this Superman does. Dean Cain who plays Superman in The New Adventures of Superman has a Japanese grandfather. Asian men are not masculine enough you say? Well are you saying Superman isn’t masculine enough?

8. Mark Paul Goselaar.

And, last but not least, Mark Paul Gossellaarr, who played the notoriously charming Zack Morris from Saved By The Bell. He was the poster boy of the white kid on the block so it was sort of a teenage girl squeal when Wikipedia informed me he was part Asian! That sandy blonde hair definitely fooled the best of us. His mother was Indonesian, Balinese born, and I have to say that I’m a little giddy knowing the fact that I share some heritage with Zack Morris.