Terry Chen
Terry Chen (born Terence Keli Chen; February 3, 1975) is a Canadian actor of Taiwanese and Chinese descent, recognized for his versatile supporting roles in film and television across action, science fiction, and drama genres.[1][2] Born in Edmonton, Alberta, to parents originating from Taiwan and mainland China, Chen grew up moving frequently but was primarily raised in Alberta and on Canada's West Coast before relocating to Vancouver, British Columbia, to pursue acting.[3][4] Chen launched his career in the early 2000s with breakthrough appearances in high-profile films, including the role of real-life music journalist Ben Fong-Torres in Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous (2000) and the street gang member Kung in the martial arts action thriller Romeo Must Die (2000) alongside Jet Li.[5][6] His early film work also featured in I, Robot (2004), The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), and Snakes on a Plane (2006), establishing him as a reliable character actor in Hollywood blockbusters.[7][1] Over more than two decades, Chen has amassed over 100 credits, with notable television roles such as botanist Praxideke "Prax" Meng in the acclaimed space opera series The Expanse (2015–2022), drug business accomplice Ethan Chang in Bates Motel (2013), and appearances in House of Cards (2013), Jessica Jones (2015–2019), and more recent projects like The Irrational (2023–2025) and Wild Cards (2024).[8][9][10] His film highlights continued with parts in The A-Team (2010), Elysium (2013), The Cabin in the Woods (2012), Arrival (2016), and xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017), showcasing his range in ensemble casts for directors like Neill Blomkamp and Denis Villeneuve.[1][11][12]Early life and education
Upbringing and family
Terry Chen was born on February 3, 1975, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to ethnic Chinese immigrant parents, with his father originating from Taiwan and his mother from mainland China.[5][13] His father worked as a travelling salesman, which necessitated frequent relocations across Western Canada during Chen's early years.[14] Chen spent much of his childhood in Alberta, particularly in Calgary, where the family settled from the mid-1970s until the early 1990s, though he also experienced time on the West Coast of Canada amid these moves.[14][3] This peripatetic upbringing exposed him to diverse environments within his home country during formative years. As a second-generation Chinese Canadian, Chen navigated a cultural duality rooted in his Taiwanese and mainland Chinese heritage alongside his Canadian identity, which profoundly shaped his early sense of self.[14] He has reflected on the challenges of being a visible minority in Calgary, noting feelings of self-consciousness that arose during his coming-of-age, influenced by family traditions such as parental participation in cultural practices like Mahjong gatherings.[14] Public details about Chen's immediate family remain limited, with available information centering on his parents' backgrounds and professional influences rather than siblings or extended relations.[13][14]Academic background and training
Terry Chen graduated from Western Canada High School in Calgary before attending the University of Calgary for undergraduate studies in the early 1990s, though the specific field of study is not publicly detailed.[14][15] He eventually dropped out after two years to travel internationally, including time spent backpacking in Cuba and the Cayman Islands, before returning to Canada around the mid-1990s.[4][15] Following his return, Chen relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, where he pursued formal acting training at local studios, aligning with his growing professional aspirations during the late 1990s.[16][15] He began with classes under instructor Andrew McIlroy, focusing on foundational performance techniques, scene study, and film-specific workshops.[16][15] Vancouver's burgeoning film industry, which had become a major North American production hub by the 1990s due to favorable incentives and proximity to Hollywood, significantly influenced Chen's decision to train there, providing access to practical workshops and an immersive creative environment.[14][15] This period of structured preparation in the city's acting community bridged his academic background in Alberta with early career opportunities in the performing arts.[16]Acting career
Early roles and breakthrough
Chen made his acting debut in 2000, appearing in minor supporting roles in two films. In Andrzej Bartkowiak's action thriller Romeo Must Die, he portrayed Kung, a gang member involved in the film's criminal underworld. That same year, Chen had a small part as a waiter in Alan Rudolph's comedy-mystery Trixie, starring Emily Watson. Chen's breakthrough came later in 2000 with his role as Ben Fong-Torres, the real-life Rolling Stone editor, in Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical coming-of-age film Almost Famous. This performance marked his first significant on-screen credit and was widely noted as a breakout opportunity, achieved during his initial year of professional auditions after relocating to pursue acting. The role showcased Chen's ability to embody a key figure in the rock journalism scene, contributing to the film's critical acclaim for its authentic depiction of 1970s music culture. Expanding into television, Chen appeared in the 2002 sci-fi miniseries Taken, produced by Steven Spielberg, where he played Dr. Powell in one episode. This early TV credit highlighted his versatility in genre projects amid his emerging film work. Prior to these roles, Chen trained at acting studios in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, including studies with coach Andrew McIlroy, which prepared him for professional opportunities.[16] He began auditioning intensively in Vancouver and frequently traveled to Los Angeles for casting calls, securing representation that facilitated his entry into Hollywood productions.[17]Mid-career developments and notable projects
Following his breakthrough role in Almost Famous, Terry Chen transitioned into more prominent television work in the early 2010s, marking a shift toward lead and series regular positions. In 2011, he portrayed U.S. Captain Dr. Bobby Trang, a military doctor, in the Canadian-American series Combat Hospital, where he appeared as a series regular across all 13 episodes, showcasing his ability to handle intense dramatic roles in a wartime medical setting. This opportunity highlighted his growing presence in ensemble casts and paved the way for recurring parts in major U.S. productions. In 2013–2014, he played tech executive Ethan Chang in the first two seasons of Bates Motel.[3] By the mid-2010s, Chen secured recurring roles in high-profile streaming series, benefiting from the expansion of platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, which broadened access to diverse talent and international storylines post-2010. He played the botanist Praxideke Meng in The Expanse from 2015 to 2018, appearing in 13 episodes across seasons 2 and 3 as a desperate father searching for his missing daughter amid interstellar conflict. In House of Cards (2013), he portrayed Xander Feng in 2 episodes of season 2, contributing to the show's exploration of political intrigue. Chen also took on Pryce Cheng, a pharmaceutical executive, in season 2 of Jessica Jones (2018), appearing in 6 episodes and delving into themes of corporate ethics and personal vendettas.[18] These roles on streaming services not only increased his visibility but also allowed for nuanced portrayals of Asian characters in genre-driven narratives. In film, Chen balanced supporting and lead opportunities across Canadian and U.S. projects during this period. He appeared as Dr. Lin in the action-thriller The Assignment (2016), directed by Walter Hill, where his character aids in a high-stakes gender-reassignment revenge plot. That same year, he played Frankie Chen in Birth of the Dragon, a martial arts drama depicting the early rivalry between Bruce Lee and Wong Jack Man, adding depth to the historical ensemble. Chen's career evolved toward more diverse and lead-centric roles, including voice performances in select projects, while navigating productions on both sides of the border to maintain a varied portfolio. Recent years have seen Chen take on leading film roles and continued television work up to 2025. In Sight (2024), he starred as Dr. Ming Wang, a Chinese immigrant ophthalmologist who develops a revolutionary laser procedure to restore sight, drawing from the real-life surgeon's story of overcoming adversity.[19] He led Lucky Star (2024) as Lucky, a reformed Chinese-Canadian gambler and father in suburban Calgary who resumes poker playing after a tax scam, with the film premiering at the Calgary International Film Festival.[20][21] On television, Chen portrayed prosecutor Stan Lowe in two episodes of the Hulu miniseries Under the Bridge (2024), based on the true-crime investigation of a teen's murder. In 2025, he appeared as Agent Feng in the thriller The Unrestricted War, investigating a virus outbreak tied to cyber warfare. Currently, he stars as Chief Li, a no-nonsense police chief, in the CW series Wild Cards (2024–2025), blending Canadian and U.S. broadcasting landscapes.[22]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Romeo Must Die | Goon | Supporting role[5] |
| 2000 | Trixie | Larry | Supporting role[5] |
| 2000 | Almost Famous | Ben Fong-Torres | Supporting role[3] |
| 2001 | 3,000 Miles to Graceland | Paramedic #1 | Minor role[23] |
| 2001 | Late Night Sessions | Dax | Supporting role[5] |
| 2002 | Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever | Agent Harry Lee | Supporting role[24] |
| 2002 | Stark Raving Mad | Jin Sun | Supporting role[5] |
| 2002 | Various Positions | Ian | Supporting role[5] |
| 2004 | I, Robot | Chin | Supporting role[24] |
| 2004 | The Chronicles of Riddick | Merc Pilot | Minor role[24] |
| 2004 | Shall We Dance | Brian Selznick | Minor role[24] |
| 2005 | Snakes on a Plane | Chen Leong | Supporting role[5] |
| 2006 | The Break-Up | Shapeley | Minor role[24] |
| 2007 | War | Goi | Supporting role[24] |
| 2009 | They Wait | Jason | Lead role[5] |
| 2010 | The A-Team | Ravech | Supporting role[24] |
| 2011 | Dream House | Dr. Greeley | Supporting role[24] |
| 2012 | The Cabin in the Woods | Operations Officer | Minor role[24] |
| 2013 | Elysium | Technician | Minor role[24] |
| 2013 | Evil Feed | Steven | Lead role[23] |
| 2014 | Godzilla | Openly Gay Husband | Minor role[24] |
| 2015 | The Age of Adaline | Tony | Supporting role[24] |
| 2016 | Arrival | Agent Danvers | Supporting role[24] |
| 2016 | Birth of the Dragon | Frankie Chun | Supporting role[5] |
| 2016 | Come and Find Me | Det. Chris Sloan | Supporting role[5] |
| 2017 | The Assignment | Dr. Lin | Supporting role[5] |
| 2017 | War for the Planet of the Apes | Spear | Minor role[24] |
| 2018 | Skyscraper | Fire Chief | Supporting role[24] |
| 2020 | Falling | Eric | Supporting role[3] |
| 2021 | Demonic | Edward | Supporting role[23] |
| 2021 | Chaos Walking | Captain O'Hare | Minor role[24] |
| 2022 | The Contractor | Mike | Supporting role[24] |
| 2023 | Sight | Dr. Ming Wang | Supporting role[5] |
| 2024 | Lucky Star | Lucky | Lead role[5] |
| 2024 | Kung Fu Panda 4 | Terrence (voice) | Voice role[24] |
| 2025 | The Unrestricted War | Agent Feng | Supporting role[25] |
Television
Terry Chen began his television career with guest roles in science fiction series during the early 2000s, transitioning to recurring and series regular positions in medical and action dramas by the 2010s. His credits include both limited miniseries and long-running shows, often featuring him in authoritative or technical roles. Below is a chronological catalog of his live-action television appearances up to 2025.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Stargate SG-1 | Monk | 1 episode ("Maternal Instinct") |
| 2000–2005 | Da Vinci's Inquest | William Chen | Recurring role, 10 episodes[26] |
| 2002 | Taken | Dr. Powell | Miniseries, 1 episode ("Acid Tests") |
| 2003 | The Twilight Zone | Nathan Park | 1 episode ("The Executions of Grady Finch") |
| 2004 | Smallville | Detective Paul Cage | 1 episode ("Crisis") |
| 2004 | The 4400 | Colin Chen | 1 episode ("Pilot") |
| 2004–2005 | Battlestar Galactica | Donald "Chuckles" Perry | 2 episodes ("Act of Contrition," "The Hand of God")[27] |
| 2011 | Combat Hospital | Captain Dr. Bobby Trang, MD | Series regular, 13 episodes[22] |
| 2012–2015 | Continuum | Curtis Chen | Recurring role, 22 episodes across 4 seasons[22] |
| 2013 | Arrow | Soldier | 1 episode |
| 2013 | Bomb Girls | Kai Low | 3 episodes[12] |
| 2013 | Bates Motel | Ethan Chang | 3 episodes (season 1)[2] |
| 2015 | Jessica Jones | Pryce Cheng | 3 episodes (season 1)[28] |
| 2015–2018 | The Expanse | Praxideke "Prax" Meng | Recurring role, 13 episodes across seasons 2–3[22] |
| 2017 | A Million Little Things | Tom | 2 episodes[12] |
| 2019 | Chimerica | Detective Ray | Miniseries, 4 episodes[24] |
| 2020 | DC's Legends of Tomorrow | Genghis Khan | 1 episode[22] |
| 2021–2022 | Invasion | President Zhou | Recurring role, 4 episodes (season 2)[12] |
| 2022 | The Lake | Victor | Series regular, 8 episodes (season 1)[24] |
| 2023 | The Last of Us | Captain Kwong | 1 episode ("Left Behind")[29] |
| 2023 | The Good Doctor | Owen | 1 episode[12] |
| 2024 | Under the Bridge | Stan Lowe | Miniseries, 2 episodes[30] |
| 2024 | Plan B | Psychologist Andrew | 3 episodes (season 2)[24] |
| 2024–present | Wild Cards | Chief Li | Series regular, 10 episodes (season 1)[31] |
| 2025 | The Irrational | Bo | 1 episode ("The Overview Effect") |
Video games
Terry Chen began his involvement in video games with voice acting roles in the early 2000s, contributing to the Smuggler's Run series by Rockstar Games, which featured off-road racing and smuggling missions across hostile environments.[32][33] In these titles, Chen voiced the character Tan, a supporting figure in the narrative cutscenes that advanced the smuggling storyline, with performances recorded in studio without motion capture, typical for PlayStation 2-era games.[34][35] His credits in the series are as follows:| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Smuggler's Run 2: Hostile Territory | Tan | Voice acting |
| 2002 | Smuggler's Run: Warzones | Tan | Voice acting |