Joseph Lee Biography: Wife, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Movies & TV Shows, Ethnicity, Girlfriend, Nationality

Lee Joe-yun, professionally known as Joseph Lee, is a Korean-American actor and fine artist based in Los Angeles.

He first gained wider attention with his film debut in the 2018 thriller Searching and earned critical acclaim for his nuanced performance as George Nakai in the 2023 Netflix series Beef, which brought him a Primetime Emmy nomination.

Beyond acting, he is a self-taught painter known for expressive portraits that explore emotion, identity, and the human face, often drawing from personal and cultural experiences.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Lee Joe-yun
• Stage Name: Joseph Lee
• Born: December 29, 1987
• Age: 38 years old
• Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor and Fine Artist
• Height: 1.85 m
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Diana Ryu (m. 2020)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $800,000

Early Life and Education

Lee Joe-yun was born on December 29, 1987 in Phoenix, Arizona, to Korean immigrant parents. He spent part of his childhood in Flushing, Queens, before growing up as an only child in West Lafayette, Indiana, where his mother worked in a factory and his late father left behind photographs that later inspired his painting.

He started acting in high school and attended Purdue University, where he graduated with a degree in Political Science and a minor in History.

His ethnicity is Korean-American, and his religion is Christianity.

Career

Lee Joe-yun began his career while studying at Purdue University by performing in college theatre productions. After graduation he moved to Los Angeles in the early 2010s to pursue acting full time.

He made his feature film debut in 2018 with a lead role in Searching, which premiered at Sundance and introduced him to a broader audience through its innovative screen-life format.

He continued landing supporting roles in television and film, including work in South Korea on the drama The Miracle We Met.

His breakthrough came in 2023 when he portrayed the complex character George Nakai opposite Ali Wong in the acclaimed Netflix limited series Beef.

The role earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor and highlighted his ability to convey subtle emotional depth.

Joseph Lee has built a respected dual career as both actor and visual artist. His self-taught paintings, often focused on faces and layered emotions, have been exhibited and collected, while he balances creative work in acting with ongoing fine art projects that reflect his personal journey and Korean-American identity.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @joeyunlee
• Facebook Handle: Joseph Lee Art
• Twitter Handle: Unknown
• TikTok Handle: @josephlee_ontiktok

Personal Life

Joseph Lee has been married to entrepreneur Diana Ryu since September 19, 2020. The couple, who met before his rise in fame, support each other’s creative pursuits — Diana runs the home goods brand Namu while Joseph maintains his art studio.

They have no children and live a relatively private life in Los Angeles, often sharing glimpses of their shared home and artistic lifestyle without much public detail on past relationships.

Net Worth

Joseph Lee has an estimated net worth of around $800,000, accumulated through his work as an actor and fine artist.

His primary income sources include acting roles in film and television (notably from Beef and other projects), sales of his original paintings and limited-edition prints, exhibition opportunities, and occasional brand or creative collaborations.