Pop Culturalist Chats with Waco’s Rich Ting

As a young boy, Rich Ting began idolizing Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, but always questioned why Asian actors were typecast into roles that involved martial arts. It’s that curiosity and desire to make a change that led Rich Ting to pursue a career in acting. Fast forward years later, and not only is Rich Ting leaving his mark on the industry, but he’s also representing a culture that wants to see themselves as heroes. Currently, he can be seen in the Paramount Network miniseries, Waco, and set to shoot Warrior, a straight-to-series order inspired by Bruce Lee. Pop Culturalist spoke with Rich about both projects, why it’s important for young kids to see them represented on screen, and why he treats every project like it’s his last.

PC: Tell us about Waco and how you got involved with the miniseries.
Rich: I was cast for the role of F.B.I. Hostage Rescue Team sniper, Lon Horiuchi, in the Paramount TV series, Waco. My agent notified me that casting was searching for a Japanese-American actor to play the role and they wanted to find someone who closely represented the real life character. I was cast by the director, John Erick Dowdle, as the recurring character of the F.B.I.’s top sniper in the series. Coincidentally, this was my second casting as a true, real life character starring alongside fellow actor, Taylor Kitsch. I previously worked with him in the feature film, Lone Survivor, where I played U.S. Navy Seal, James Suh.

PC: Is the preparation different when you’re working on a project that’s based on actual events?
Rich: Preparation differs in that you, as an actor, have an actual, real life reference to use in order to create the character depicted in the specific production. If possible, it’s always a huge advantage to have the opportunity to meet with either the real person or his/her family and friends. The first-hand communications and impressions you’re able to receive further help your research, development, and specificity of that character. In prepping to play Lon Horiuchi, I did an extensive amount of research on his personal history, his accomplishments throughout his post military life, and career in the F.B.I., as well as the various geographic locations where he grew up and lived. Thanks to the detailed background and additional information provided by our director and executive producers on Waco, I was able to dial into exactly what they wanted to capture on camera in the critical moments at Ruby Ridge and in Waco, Texas.

PC: How much did you know about the situation heading into the project?
Rich: I remember being in junior high school at the time the real Waco siege took place. Like millions of others, I watched the entire 51-day siege of the Waco compound on various news channels, including CNN. I was absolutely glued to the television every day, anticipating how the F.B.I. and ATF were going to escort all of the Branch Davidians out of the compound, as well as arrest and apprehend David Koresh. It was a surreal experience to say the least when I arrived on set of the Waco compound in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was an exact replica of what I remember seeing on television as a young teenager. The F.B.I. headquarters, tents, tanks, and vehicles were positioned in the same exact locations as I had remembered seeing them on the news—even the cars and buses adjacent to the compound were the same. The overall accuracy and attention to detail by our production team were second-to-none.

PC: What makes this adaptation stand out?
Rich: Waco differentiates itself from other newsmagazine programs due to the precise accuracy and specificities detailing the actual events that occurred in 1993. Waco is extremely true, real, and overall convincing. The accuracy and close resemblance of all the characters in the series in addition to the actual Waco compound are truly outstanding. I’m excited for fans to see our series as it depicts the critical events prior to and during the 51-day siege of the Branch Davidians’ Waco compound. From what I’ve seen while filming, I believe that the audience will be exposed to a side of David Koresh, played by Taylor Kitsch, that’s unfamiliar and untold from the original media coverage. In 1993, millions of people around the world viewed the siege of Waco through the eyes and lenses of the news and mass media. >Waco provides the viewers with an inside view and perspective of not only David Koresh, himself, and his Branch Davidians, but also from the eyes of the F.B.I., ATF, and local Waco residents.

PC: If you could adapt another moment in history for the small screen, what would it be and why?
Rich: If I could adapt another moment in history for the small screen, I would like to focus on the internment of the Japanese-Americans during WWII as they were forced by the U.S. government to evacuate their homes and lives to the confines of various concentration camps scattered all across the country. Being of Japanese decent, my Japanese-American grandparents, along with my Japanese-American uncles and aunts, were all relocated and interned these horrendous camps. Despite having a direct family connection with these horrible events, I personally feel like that it’s an event in our country’s history that’s been given insignificant attention. I would like to bring awareness and exposure to the world of the tragic events that happened to these innocent Japanese-Americans during this particular time period in the U.S. I honestly feel that the internment of Japanese-Americans has been forgotten and a majority of the younger millennials do not even know that such a tragic event not only occurred, but also affected Americans directly living in the U.S. To say the least, it would be an absolute honor and privilege to create and be involved in such a project.

PC: Can you share one or two secrets from the set?
Rich: I will never forget when I ran into Taylor Kitsch (who plays David Koresh) at the gym in Santa Fe, New Mexico (where we filmed). He was so skinny and emaciated that I honestly believed it was the real David Koresh working out on the stationary bike. As I previously mentioned, the accuracy and overall close resemblance of all the characters in the series, as well as the actual Waco compound are truly outstanding. I remember watching the final scene where we completely burned the compound to ashes. It was surreal, as it resembled the exact scene I remember watching on the news as a young teenager.

PC: Besides Waco, do you have any other upcoming project that you can chat about?
Rich: I will be returning to Cape Town, South Africa to continue filming my HBO/Cinemax TV series, Warrior. Cinemax, which is owned and operated by HBO, has given a ten-episode straight to series order for Warrior from creator Jonathan Tropper (writer of Banshee) and fellow executive producers: Justin Lin (Fast & Furious and Star Trek director), Danielle Woodrow from Perfect Storm Entertainment, and Shannon Lee (Bruce Lee Entertainment), the daughter of Bruce Lee. The drama is inspired by an idea from the late martial-arts star, Bruce Lee. Warrior is an action series set against the backdrop of the Tong Wars of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the second half of the 19th century. It tells the story of Ah Sahm, a martial arts prodigy who emigrates from China to San Francisco and becomes a hatchet man for one of Chinatown’s most powerful organized-crime families. Based on the real character and close friend of Bruce Lee, Bolo Yeung, I will be playing the character of Bolo, the universally feared fighter and top lieutenant of the Hop Wei Tong. It’s set to premiere on HBO’s Cinemax channel in late 2018.

Also, I’ll be returning as a recurring character on NCIS: Los Angeles in 2018. In 2017, I was cast as Keith Jenloe, the managing partner of an investment bank.

I also have an independent feature called Prisoner of Mind, which will be making its premiere in the upcoming 2018 film festival circuits. I play the character Paul Nguyen, a graduate student at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., who works as a tour guide for people visiting the National Mall, including the Vietnam Memorial. Unbeknownst to Paul, Vietnam War vet, Sgt. Matthew Medder, has been stalking and studying Paul and his family’s background. Sgt. Medder, a Vietnam P.O.W. who was a prisoner in a North Vietnamese prison camp, discovers that Paul is the grandson of the North Vietnamese commander that held him captive. Suffering from severe post traumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D.) as well as various other mental illnesses, Sgt. Medder strategizes and eventually seeks revenge on his former captor by kidnapping and torturing Paul. The film focuses on the numerous illnesses as well as P.T.S.D. that our war veterans suffer from and experience upon returning home from war. Throughout the intense dialogue and conversations between Paul and Sgt. Medder, it becomes evident that these war veterans continue to require additional medical care and attention throughout their recovery and assimilation back into mainstream society. The film addresses the issues of revenge, hope, and forgiveness, as well as the impacts and influences of religion, including Christianity.

Career Questions

PC: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in entertainment?
Rich: Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, I definitely believe that the surrounding “Hollywood” environment influenced me to want to pursue a career in acting. I remember seeing huge billboards for films, TV shows, concerts, and brand names, as well as attending school with children of famous celebrities. As a child, I often asked myself why there was not a famous Asian American leading man and why were all the Asian actors (like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan) martial artists or characters that could fight and fly through the air. Legends like Bruce Lee definitely inspired and motivated me to pursue my study of martial arts, but I was curious as to why there was never an Asian American “dad”, “boyfriend”, “policeman”, “firefighter”, “lawyer”, or “hero”. All of my childhood friends had favorite actors that they could relate to ethnically and racially, however, I could never find that one Asian American leading man that represented my “hero”. As a result, the dream and pursuit of becoming not only an Asian American actor, but also a leading man in Hollywood began. It’s been an absolute dream come true for me to be working in Hollywood as an actor, and I continue to live the dream every day I go to set and perform my craft in front of the cameras.

PC: What’s your dream role?
Rich: Ever since I began my career as a professional actor, I have approached every project as if it were my last. Whether I have been cast as a guest star, recurring, or lead, I have always been extremely proud and humbled to be chosen for that particular character and project. I continue to study and learn from each individual project in perfecting my craft as an actor. Whether it is from set conditions to fellow actors to the various directions and notes from directors and producers, I always treat and approach each project as an opportunity to learn and grow as an artist in the industry. However, to date, I can honestly say that I am playing my dream role right now in my current TV series, Warrior, which I have been filming in 2018. Inspired by an idea from the late martial-arts star Bruce Lee, Warrior is an action series set against the backdrop of the Tong Wars of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the second half of the 19th century. I am playing legendary character and close friend of Bruce Lee, Bolo, the universally feared fighter and top lieutenant of the Hop Wei Tong.

So far, Warrior has not only been my favorite project to work on, but it has also has reinforced what my parents have also preached to me: “To always keep working at something and never stop.” If I didn’t know what to do, then I would just keep doing what I was currently working on, and that’s exactly what happened in my past. In the summer of 2007, an offer at a law firm in downtown Los Angeles brought me back to L.A., where I coincidentally received my first job offer to work on a Warner Brothers’ feature in the summer of 2007. My dream of being an actor in Hollywood had began and since, I continue to be motivated by the unknown factor of what will happen tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. When I was four-years-old, I began to study martial arts because of my inspiration from Bruce Lee. So many decades later, I am now continuing my childhood idol’s idea, dream, and vision that he created prior to his unfortunate death. Never would I have imagined that I would be starring in a project created by the greatest martial arts legend of all time while continuing the pursuit of my dream of being a Hollywood actor. Bruce Lee was quoted saying, “Running water never grows stale, so you got to just keep on flowing.” Similar to what my parents preached and taught me when I was a child, I continue to stay motivated, committed to my craft, and to never stop “flowing.”

Photo Credit: Ryan West

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Rich: Don’t Be Tardy and Keeping Up with The Kardashians

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Rich: Legally Blonde

PC: Favorite book?
Rich: Where the Wild Things Are

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Rich: West Side Story

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Rich: Coldplay

PC: Favorite social media platform?
Rich: Instagram

PC: Last person you texted?
Rich: My mom

PC: Hidden talent?
Rich: Tahitian dancer

Make sure to follow Rich on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and check out Waco every Wednesday on the Paramount Network at 10/9c.

Photo Credit: Ryan West