Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with All Rise’s Reggie Lee

Reggie Lee is blazing a trail for the next generation of Asian creatives who are fighting for their seat at the table. For Reggie, that journey has been long and arduous. When he first broke into the industry, he spent years playing one-dimensional stereotypes—simply because that was all that was made available to him. It wasn’t until he landed his role in Grimm that he finally felt integrated with a cast and was given the opportunity to truly flesh out a character on screen.

Since then, Reggie has made it his mission to pay it forward to a community that wants to know that a career in this industry is possible.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Reggie about his career, breaking barriers in Hollywood, and what’s ahead on Season 2 of his hit series, All Rise.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Reggie: I grew up in Ohio. I was watching this TV movie with Timothy Bottoms, and his performance really moved me. I was like, “I want to do that.” My parents said, “No. That’s a hobby. You can’t do that.” [laughs] I put blinders on and kept pursuing it. I did as much theater as I could in Ohio and Cleveland. Then, I went on the Broadway route and did a couple of shows in New York City. Then, I decided I wanted to do film and TV. Of course, none of this is as easy as that, but I wish it were.

I was fortunate to work pretty consistently, but it took a lot of training. It took a lot of time. It took a lot of everything, especially being a minority. You try to figure out where you fit in this landscape. When you’re younger, you don’t even think about that. You’re just like, “I want to do this,” yet you don’t think about stereotypes and racism.

I want to cut to a story when I was filming Pirates of the Caribbean. I had a little bit of a break there in my years of filming, so I did this independent film about these two Chinese brothers that were involved in the railroad system way back in the day. When the brothers came over here, they were adopted by a surrogate family in order to house them to work on the railroads. They were casting the family, and the father of the family that adopted us was Timothy Bottoms. I literally got to tell him that he started my acting career. That was a wonderful full-circle moment.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Reggie: Wow. I would say I have three icons. My acting coach, Harry Mastrogeorge, has been around forever. He’s in his 80s now, but he used to teach at AMDA in New York City. He’s actually from there, but he’s been out here [in LA] for quite a while coaching a bunch of people. His philosophy on acting has really saved me. I’ve been studying with him forever because he makes it so fun. He talks about going to Disneyland every day. He’s coached everyone. He’s wonderful. And then the wonderful Daniel Day-Lewis has been a big influence in terms of characterization.

It’s interesting because we look at these people, and I wish there was a role model that looked like me. I look at James Hong and the career that he has forged for himself—he has been in everything. I actually worked with him on a movie called Safe. He’s also in his 80s now, and he said, “I’ve never worked more than I am now.” It’s really impactful to see Asian American role models in this industry. It doesn’t go that far back. Even now, we’re still fighting for that. I would say those three have influenced my career the most.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success throughout the years. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Reggie: It’s interesting because as I look back on it now, I love doing series work because you feel like you have a steady job, and that feels amazing. [laughs] The biggest thing that stands out to me now is helping this young generation of Asian American artists coming up. They’re asking, “How did you do it? What’s the road? What’s the path?” I want to give back and help them believe in themselves and let them know that this can be a career for all of them; it’s very possible. It takes a lot of hard work. You need thick skin. It takes your mind being healthy and working on your mentality more than anything else. So much of it is psychological.

I want to give back to the Asian American community in any way that I can and push this movement of storytelling forward. How do we continue to present the Asian American story in the fabric of this American story?

PC: The industry has made slow progress towards greater representation and diversity. As an Asian American actor, what has your experience been like growing up in this industry? When did you feel that shift happen?
Reggie: It’s twofold. I started off acting, but I was like, “Let me sing and dance too because I feel like if I don’t do all these things I’m never going to have a job.” I was like, “Let me try to be a triple threat.” That’s what I worked at and how I got into doing Broadway musicals. It was wonderful being a part of the ensemble; I just wanted more. In that regard, I was like, “I just want to act. I want to try film and TV, because I feel like that’s where my heart really is.” When I got there, I don’t think I got out of playing a gang member until after Fast and Furious.

I played a gang leader or a gang member—that’s what was available to us. So, I was like, “How do I make a three-dimensional character out of this?” I feel like the real transition happened when I did Grimm in 2010. I finally felt part of a cast and they were developing my character to be three-dimensional. We weren’t just filling a quota; we were there to be part of the fabric of America. It was like, “Yeah, why not have an Asian cop instead of an Asian doctor? Why can’t he have a love interest or a life outside of what we see on the show?”

The African American community has been fighting so long for a seat at the table. They got a seat at the table first—rightfully so. For us, it’s starting now. We had Crazy Rich Asians a few years ago. Finally, we were seeing a mainstream Asian film where they are showing people speaking in English and without an accent.

We’re showing that we can be marketable in different parts of the community. Now, we’re starting to get into the depth of the real gritty stuff. If I knew how hard it was back then, starting out as a kid in Ohio and being Asian American, I don’t know that I would have done this, but thank God I did, because I feel like I’m very fortunate and blessed to be here now.

All Rise

PC: You’re currently starring in All Rise, and season two just premiered. What can fans expect from this upcoming season?
Reggie: The show has shifted from being a law procedural show into an integration of what these people do when they go home—that’s been really fantastic. Rick Fox has joined the show in a recurring role. They’re discovering different ways to go about justice other than just the usual court system. This show has been great at pushing buttons, at exploring diversity, and they’re not afraid to go in there and dig into racism—they really do. They don’t sugar coat anything.

The scenes that I’ve had lately have been great because it’s been with other minorities in the show, and they’re talking about racism. I’ve never felt more at home talking to people about it, because I feel like they embrace and can relate to what I’m saying. They take that even a step further this season. There’s also definitely a lot more drama and romance.

PC: You’ve spoken about this in a previous interview, but you found research that Asian Americans are not often seen in management/leadership positions. Does that bring a different weight to this character? What has it meant to you to break that barrier?
Reggie: Wow, you really did your homework—it’s great. I hadn’t even realized that. When I read that, I was like, “You know what? You’re absolutely right. They don’t put Asians in positions of power in any regard, and in many different factions, not just the entertainment industry, not just in front of a camera.” I loved having to find that extra layer of how I would be as a boss and how I would treat that differently—in this instance, a boss to a very diverse group of people. I love the idea that I can incorporate my own experience with racism, with ethnicity, and being able to shape this boss in that way. I’ve used it as a platform to say, “You know what? The fairness factor is a big deal for me.” Everyone gets a fair shot. Everyone is seen and everyone is heard.

Shaping this character this season was a big deal. That research really helped me shape this character, because they’re having him go above and beyond and exploring different ways of justice. My character used to be all about the law, but now you’re hearing everyone that comes through, even these younger people go, “Maybe that’s not the best way to do it. Maybe there’s a different way. Maybe we can go out and maybe we can settle this outside of the court system.” It’s great knowing and incorporating that.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Reggie: Lately, it’s been Bridgerton…also, The Flight Attendant, The Undoing—they’re all so good..

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Reggie: I recently watched The White Tiger, which was phenomenal. I also watched One Night in Miami. These are both films that will be nominated for Oscars. They aren’t really guilty pleasures, but I did have a piece of cake when I watched each.

PC: Favorite book?
Reggie: Barack Obama’s new book is fantastic.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Reggie: Jagged Little Pill. I just saw their recent live stream. I haven’t seen the whole show…I was supposed to see it before the pandemic.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Reggie: Jordan Smith.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Reggie: Nico Santos.

To keep up with Reggie, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Watch All Rise every Monday at 9/8c on CBS.

Photo Credit: Bryan Geli