Rick Yune Biography: Thriller, Films, TV Series, Net Worth, Age, Height, Parents, Ethnicity, Siblings, Girlfriends

Richard Yune, known professionally as Rick Yune, is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and martial artist of Korean descent, best recognised for his roles as intense and charismatic villains in major films, including Johnny Tran in The Fast and the Furious (2001) and Zao in the James Bond film Die Another Day (2002).

A former model and Olympic-level Taekwondo practitioner, Yune transitioned from a finance career to acting, bringing his martial arts expertise and commanding screen presence to roles in action thrillers like Olympus Has Fallen (2013) and the Netflix series Marco Polo.

His work in both Hollywood and international cinema, including a cameo in the 2025 Indian-Malayalam film L2: Empuraan, highlights his versatility and global appeal.

Profile

• Full Name: Richard Yune
• Stage Name: Rick Yune
• Born: 22 August 1971
• Age: 53 years old
• Birthplace: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Screenwriter, Producer, Martial Artist
• Height: 1.83m
• Parents: Park Wonhui and Yun Taeho
• Siblings: Karl Yune
• Girlfriends: Nastassja Kinski (ex), Dania Ramirez (ex), Lisa Ling (ex)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Richard Yune was born on August 22, 1971, in Washington, D.C., to Park Wonhui and Yun Taeho, Korean immigrants who arrived in the U.S. in 1972. He grew up alongside his younger brother, Karl Yune, who is also an actor.

Raised in a Korean household, Yune developed an early passion for martial arts, particularly Taekwondo, achieving Olympic-level proficiency by age 19.

He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland, and St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. Yune graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1994 with a degree in finance. His ethnicity is Korean, and his religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Rick Yune began his career in modelling after being scouted in 1992, becoming the first Asian-American to appear in Versace and Ralph Lauren’s Polo campaigns, photographed by Bruce Weber.

His acting debut came in 1999 with Snow Falling on Cedars, where he played Kazuo Miyamoto, a Japanese-American war hero accused of murder, earning praise for his dramatic depth.

In 2001, Yune gained wider recognition as Johnny Tran, a Vietnamese gang leader, in The Fast and the Furious, showcasing his ability to portray menacing yet charismatic antagonists opposite Vin Diesel.

His early roles leveraged his martial arts skills, including a black belt in Taekwondo and Golden Gloves boxing experience, which added authenticity to his action-oriented characters. His modelling success and martial arts background helped him stand out in an industry with limited Asian representation.

Yune’s career peaked in 2002 when he portrayed Zao, a North Korean terrorist, in the James Bond film Die Another Day, opposite Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry, making him part of the highest-grossing Bond film at the time. That same year, he was voted one of People magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive, cementing his status as a Hollywood heartthrob.

He took a six-year hiatus from films, focusing on guest roles in series like Alias, CSI, and Boston Legal. In 2008, Yune wrote, produced, and starred in The Fifth Commandment, playing a Bangkok assassin, and took on the lead role of Edward Carnby in Alone in the Dark II.

His role as Zen Yi in The Man with the Iron Fists (2012), directed by RZA, further showcased his martial arts prowess alongside Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu. Yune’s later work includes his portrayal of Kang Yeon-Sak, a North Korean ultra-nationalist, in Olympus Has Fallen (2013), a commercial hit that highlighted his ability to command high-stakes action roles.

From 2014 to 2016, he played Kaidu, a Mongol Khan, in Netflix’s Marco Polo, bringing gravitas to the historical drama. In 2025, Yune made his Indian cinema debut with a cameo as the leader of the Shenlong Triad in L2: Empuraan, hinting at a larger role in the trilogy’s final instalment, L3: The Beginning.

His contributions extend beyond acting, as he serves as a board member for the Centre for Global Dialogue and Cooperation and an ambassador for the Princess Charlene Foundation of Monaco. Yune’s career reflects his commitment to challenging Asian stereotypes and advocating for diverse representation in the entertainment industry.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @rick_yune
• Facebook Handle: Rick Yune
• Twitter Handle: @rickyune

Personal Life

Rick Yune has never been married and has no children. He has been linked romantically to actresses Nastassja Kinski, Dania Ramirez, and journalist Lisa Ling, though all relationships ended. A private individual, Yune focuses on his career and martial arts, maintaining proficiency in Taekwondo and boxing.

Filmography

• Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)
• The Fast and the Furious (2001)
• Die Another Day (2002)
• The Fifth Commandment (2008)
• Alone in the Dark II (2008)
• Ninja Assassin (2009)
• The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)
• Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
• Jiu Jitsu (2020)
• Tetris (2023)
• L2: Empuraan (2025)

Net Worth

Rick Yune has an estimated net worth of $3 million. His wealth stems from his acting roles in high-profile films like The Fast and the Furious, Die Another Day, and Olympus Has Fallen, as well as television appearances in Marco Polo and Prison Break.

His work as a screenwriter and producer on The Fifth Commandment, as well as his early modelling for Versace and Ralph Lauren, also contributes to his earnings.