Ken Leung Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Movies & TV Shows

Kenneth “Ken” Leung is an American actor of Chinese descent, celebrated for his intense and versatile performances across film, television, and stage.

He gained prominence for his role as Miles Straume in the ABC series Lost (2008–2010) and as Eric Tao in HBO’s Industry (2020–present).

Leung’s career spans major films like Rush Hour (1998), Saw (2004), and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), as well as acclaimed stage work, including his Broadway debut in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002).

Known for his ability to deliver nuanced and compelling portrayals, Leung has worked with directors like Brett Ratner, Spike Lee, and Steven Spielberg, earning praise for his depth and authenticity.

Profile

• Full Name: Kenneth Leung
• Stage Name: Ken Leung
• Born: January 21, 1970
• Age: 55 years old
• Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 1.70m
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Nancy Bulalacao
• Children: One son
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $4 million USD

Early Life and Education

Kenneth Leung was born on January 21, 1970, in New York City to Chinese parents.

He grew up in the Two Bridges section of Manhattan’s Lower East Side before his family moved to Midwood, Brooklyn, and later Old Bridge, New Jersey, where he completed high school.

Initially studying physical therapy at New York University (NYU), Leung discovered acting in his junior year through a speech class skit, prompting him to take acting courses with Catherine Russell and Nan Smithner.

He later trained briefly with Anne Jackson at HB Studio. His ethnicity is Chinese-American, and his religion is not publicly disclosed.

Career

Ken Leung’s career began in New York’s downtown theater scene in the 1990s, where he performed in non-traditional productions like Jeff Weiss’ Hot Keys, Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi (1998), and Alvin Eng’s The Goong Hay Kid.

His Broadway debut came in 2002 as Ching Ho in the Tony-winning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, also appearing on its cast recording.

His early film roles included Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995) and New York Undercover (1995). His breakthrough came as the villainous Sang in Brett Ratner’s Rush Hour (1998), leading to further collaborations with Ratner in The Family Man (2000), Red Dragon (2002), and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).

Leung’s filmography includes notable roles in Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Spike Lee’s Inside Man (2006), and M. Night Shyamalan’s Old (2021).

His chilling performance as Detective Steven Sing in Saw (2004) and Saw V (2008) remains iconic in the horror genre.

On television, his role as Miles Straume in Lost (2008–2010), written specifically for him by producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse after his standout performance as a mental patient in The Sopranos (2007), made him a fan favorite.

He also starred as Topher Zia in The Night Shift (2014–2015), Leon Tao in Person of Interest (2012–2013), and Karnak in Marvel’s Inhumans (2017).

Currently, Leung’s portrayal of Eric Tao, a volatile managing director in HBO’s Industry (2020–present), has earned critical acclaim, with fans and critics, including Vox and The New Yorker, praising his commanding presence in the show’s third season (2024).

He also played Commander Zhao in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024), appearing in six episodes.

Leung’s recent theater work includes Evanston Salt Costs Climbing (2023), and he has voiced characters in animated series like Pantheon and Velma.

His ability to navigate diverse genres, from horror to high finance, underscores his status as a “true actor’s actor.”

Social Media

Ken Leung does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Ken Leung is married to Nancy Bulalacao, who is of Filipina descent, and they have one son, born around 2015.

The family resides in Brooklyn, New York, where Leung values privacy and a low-key lifestyle.

Filmography

• Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995) – Minor role
• Rush Hour (1998) – Sang
• Keeping the Faith (2000) – Don
• A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) – Syatyoo-Sama
• Red Dragon (2002) – Lloyd Bowman
• Saw (2004) – Detective Steven Sing
• The Squid and the Whale (2005) – School Therapist
• Inside Man (2006) – Wing
• X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) – Kid Omega
• The Sopranos (2007) – Carter Chong (TV, Episode: “Remember When”)
• Lost (2008–2010) – Miles Straume (TV, 45 episodes)
• Person of Interest (2012–2013) – Leon Tao (TV, recurring)
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) – Admiral Statura
• The Night Shift (2014–2015) – Topher Zia (TV, main role)
• Inhumans (2017) – Karnak (TV, main role)
• Old (2021) – Jarin
• Industry (2020–present) – Eric Tao (TV, main role)
• Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) – Commander Zhao (TV, 6 episodes)

Net Worth

Ken Leung has an estimated net worth of $4 million USD.

His wealth stems from his extensive acting career across film, television, and stage, with significant earnings from roles in Lost, Industry, and films like Rush Hour and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Additional income comes from voice work in animated series and theater performances, supported by his long-standing relationships with directors like Brett Ratner and Spike Lee.