Hoon Lee Bio: Career, Television, Age, Education & Personal Life
Hoon Lee is an American actor and voice actor known for his work across television, film, Broadway, and animation. He gained widespread recognition as Job in the crime drama series Banshee.
He later became known for playing Wang Chao in Warrior. Lee also built a strong voice-acting career through animated productions and video games.
His career combines theater, television, film, and voice performance. Moreover, his background includes work in graphic design and technology before he pursued acting professionally.
As of 2026, Lee continues to appear in television and voice projects. His recent credits include Your Friends & Neighbors, Devil May Cry, and East of Eden.
Hoon Lee Early Life and Background
Hoon Lee was born Tong Hoon Lee on July 18, 1973. Public biographies identify his birthplace as Hennepin County, Minnesota, while other sources describe Plymouth, Massachusetts.
He grew up in Connecticut and the Boston area. Later, he moved to New York to pursue opportunities in the arts and entertainment industry.
Lee developed an interest in visual arts before establishing himself as an actor. He trained as a fine artist and graphic designer.
Before acting became his primary career, he worked in the technology industry. He served as a creative director and interface designer.
Eventually, Lee shifted his professional focus toward acting. That decision opened the door to theater, television, film, and voice work.
Where Did Hoon Lee Go to College?
Hoon Lee attended Harvard University and graduated in 1994. Sources describe his academic background as including English literature and environmental studies.
His Harvard education gave him a strong academic foundation. However, his later career developed primarily through theater and performance.
After college, Lee moved toward professional acting. He eventually established himself within New York’s competitive theater community.
Hoon Lee Acting Career
Hoon Lee began his professional stage career during the early 2000s. His theater work quickly became an important part of his artistic identity.
In 2001, he appeared in Urinetown. The musical marked an early Broadway milestone for the actor.
Lee continued building his theater résumé through productions at Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theaters.
His credits include Flower Drum Song, Pacific Overtures, and The King and I. He also appeared in productions of Shakespeare’s works.
His stage work demonstrated his versatility. He could move between comedy, drama, musicals, and classical theater.
Hoon Lee and Yellow Face
One of Lee’s important theater achievements came through David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face.
Lee originated the role of DHH in the production. His performance earned him a Theatre World Award in 2008.
The role also brought recognition from the Drama League. This achievement helped establish Lee as a respected theater performer.
The success of Yellow Face became an important milestone in his career. It also highlighted his ability to handle complex dramatic material.
Hoon Lee on Broadway in The King and I
Lee later returned to Broadway in The King and I.
He played the King of Siam in the Lincoln Center production. He joined the production in 2015 and continued performing the role into 2016.
The production gave Lee another opportunity to showcase his singing and theatrical abilities.
It also demonstrated his ability to carry a major role in a large-scale Broadway production.
Hoon Lee in Banshee
Television brought Lee a much larger international audience. His breakthrough television role came with Banshee.
Lee played Job, a highly skilled computer hacker with a distinctive personality.
The character appeared throughout the Cinemax crime drama from 2013 to 2016. IMDb lists Lee in 38 episodes of the series.
Job quickly became one of Lee’s most recognizable screen roles.
The character also allowed Lee to combine comedy, action, drama, and emotional depth. Consequently, the role helped establish him beyond the theater world.
Hoon Lee in Warrior
Another major role arrived with Warrior.
Lee played Wang Chao, a businessman and fixer connected to San Francisco’s Chinatown underworld.
The series drew inspiration from writings and concepts associated with Bruce Lee. It ran from 2019 through 2023.
Lee appeared across all three seasons. IMDb credits him with 30 episodes as Wang Chao.
His performance became one of his most prominent television roles after Banshee.
Furthermore, Warrior allowed him to explore a character with both criminal connections and business ambitions.
Hoon Lee in See
Lee also joined the cast of Apple’s science-fiction drama See.
He portrayed Toad, a character introduced during the show’s second season.
The series starred Jason Momoa and explored a future society where humanity had lost the ability to see.
Lee’s role added another television credit to his increasingly diverse résumé.
Hoon Lee in DMZ
In 2022, Lee appeared in the HBO Max miniseries DMZ.
He played Wilson Lin in the four-episode series.
The project came from creators including filmmaker Ava DuVernay and writer Roberto Patino. It adapted the DC Comics property of the same name.
Hoon Lee’s Voice Acting Career
Voice acting represents another major part of Lee’s career.
He voiced Hamato Yoshi, also known as Master Splinter, in Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The series began in 2012, and Lee remained associated with the franchise for several years.
He later voiced Shredder in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Lee also provided voices for video games. His credits include Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, The Lost and Damned, and other gaming projects.
His powerful baritone voice has become one of his recognizable professional traits.
Hoon Lee in The Monkey King
Lee expanded his animation work with The Monkey King in 2023.
He provided voices for the Jade Emperor and Monk in the animated film.
The project added another major animation credit to his growing voice-acting portfolio.
Hoon Lee in Devil May Cry
In 2025, Lee joined the voice cast of Netflix’s animated series Devil May Cry.
He voiced White Rabbit, alongside several additional voice roles.
IMDb lists Lee across multiple episodes of the series.
The role further expanded his work in action-oriented animation.
Hoon Lee in Your Friends & Neighbors
Lee also appeared in Apple’s Your Friends & Neighbors.
He plays Barney Choi in the series.
IMDb lists the series among his recent television credits for 2025–2026.
The project adds another contemporary television role to Lee’s résumé.
Hoon Lee in East of Eden
Another notable 2026 credit is East of Eden.
IMDb lists Lee among the cast of the television miniseries. The project draws from John Steinbeck’s celebrated novel.
The production represents another major television project in Lee’s expanding career.
Hoon Lee Movies and Film Roles
Although television and theater dominate his career, Lee has also appeared in several films.
His film credits include Saving Face, We Own the Night, The Oranges, and Premium Rush.
He also appeared in Mulan in 2020.
In 2023, he contributed voice performances to The Monkey King.
These projects demonstrate his ability to move between live-action and animated productions.
Hoon Lee Personal Life
Hoon Lee married Sekiya Lavone Billman in 2008. Public biographical sources continue to list the marriage.
Lee has generally kept his personal life away from extensive media attention.
Therefore, most publicly available information focuses on his acting career rather than his private affairs.
Hoon Lee Awards and Achievements
Lee’s theater career has earned notable recognition.
His major achievement includes winning the Theatre World Award for his performance in Yellow Face.
His Broadway work also includes several significant productions.
Meanwhile, his television career has established him through memorable roles in Banshee and Warrior.
His voice work has also introduced him to younger audiences through major animation franchises.
What Is Hoon Lee Known For?
Hoon Lee is best known for several distinctive roles and performances.
These include:
- Job in Banshee
- Wang Chao in Warrior
- The King of Siam in The King and I
- Master Splinter in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Shredder in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Toad in See
- Wilson Lin in DMZ
- White Rabbit in Devil May Cry
- Barney Choi in Your Friends & Neighbors
These roles show the broad range of his career.
Hoon Lee’s Acting Style and Career Legacy
Lee has developed a career across several entertainment mediums.
He has performed on Broadway, appeared in acclaimed television dramas, and worked extensively in animation.
Moreover, his characters often stand out because of his distinctive voice and expressive performances.
His career also demonstrates the value of versatility in the entertainment industry.
Rather than remaining within one genre, Lee has explored crime dramas, historical stories, science fiction, animation, comedy, and theater.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hoon Lee
How old is Hoon Lee?
Hoon Lee was born on July 18, 1973. He turned 53 in July 2026.
Where was Hoon Lee born?
Public sources identify Hoon Lee’s birthplace as Hennepin County, Minnesota. Some biographical sources list Plymouth, Massachusetts.
What is Hoon Lee famous for?
He is widely recognized for playing Job in Banshee and Wang Chao in Warrior.
Did Hoon Lee attend Harvard?
Yes. Lee graduated from Harvard University in 1994.
Who did Hoon Lee play in Warrior?
Hoon Lee played Wang Chao, a prominent character in the martial arts crime drama.
Who did Hoon Lee voice in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
Lee voiced Hamato Yoshi, also known as Master Splinter, in the 2012 animated series.
Is Hoon Lee in Devil May Cry?
Yes. Lee voices White Rabbit in Netflix’s animated Devil May Cry series.
What are Hoon Lee’s latest projects?
His recent credits include Your Friends & Neighbors, Devil May Cry, and East of Eden.
