Ian Chen

Ian Chen Bio

Ian Chen (born September 7, 2006) is an American actor known for playing Evan Huang on the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat and Eugene Choi in the DC Extended Universe films Shazam! and Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Born in Los Angeles to a Taiwanese American immigrant family, he began acting as a young child and quickly established himself as one of the most recognizable young performers in Hollywood. Over the course of his career, Chen has balanced television, feature films, music videos, and live performances while continuing his education.

Raised in a bicultural household in Southern California, Chen grew up speaking Mandarin alongside English and developed interests in music, gaming, and aviation. His early credits and steady rise through child and teen roles have made him a familiar face to audiences of multiple generations, and he continues to take on projects that expand his range as an actor.

Early Life and Background

Ian Chen was born on September 7, 2006, in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in a Taiwanese American immigrant family and grew up alongside a younger brother named Max. Both brothers are fluent in Mandarin, a skill that has connected them to their cultural heritage and shaped their upbringing in Southern California.

From an early age, Chen showed interest in performing and the arts. He developed a love for music, learning to sing and play guitar, and he eventually performed as part of a band. He is also an aviation enthusiast and an avid video game player, interests that have continued alongside his acting work.

Chen completed his secondary education at Arcadia High School, graduating in 2024. After high school, he enrolled at Harvard University, continuing a path that blends academic study with his ongoing commitments as a working actor.

Path to Acting

Chen began his professional acting career in 2013, when he was still a young child. His early exposure to the entertainment industry came through auditions and small television appearances, which gave him the chance to learn the craft on set while balancing school. These formative experiences helped him build the discipline required for a career in Hollywood at a young age.

His first major opportunity arrived in 2015, when he was cast as Evan Huang, the youngest son in the Huang family, on the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat. The role, which he held from 2015 to 2020, introduced him to a wide television audience and provided a long-term training ground for comedic timing and on-screen chemistry. The success of the series set the stage for his transition into larger feature film projects.

In 2016, Chen expanded his profile with appearances outside traditional scripted television. He starred as the main character in Eric Nam’s music video for the song Into You and later opened the FASO Goes Pops! orchestra concert with a performance of the song Ben, originally associated with Michael Jackson. These appearances showcased his comfort as a live and on-camera performer beyond sitcom work.

Ian Chen Career

Early Career (2013–2014)

Chen started working in the entertainment industry in 2013, taking on early television guest spots and small roles as he built his résumé. These initial credits allowed him to gain experience on professional sets while still attending school in the Los Angeles area.

During this period, Chen caught the attention of casting professionals, which led to his breakout opportunity in 2015. His early work laid the foundation for a steady career as a child actor in both comedy and drama.

Breakthrough (2015–2020)

Chen’s breakthrough came with Fresh Off the Boat, which premiered on ABC in 2015. Based on the memoir by chef and food writer Eddie Huang, the sitcom follows a Taiwanese American family adjusting to life in Orlando, Florida, in the 1990s. Chen played Evan Huang, the youngest of the three Huang children, opposite actors including Randall Park, Constance Wu, and Hudson Yang. His portrayal of Evan earned him consistent praise and made him a recognizable face in American prime-time television through the show’s run, which ended in 2020.

The role opened the door to larger film opportunities. In 2019, Chen was cast as Eugene Choi in the DC Extended Universe film Shazam!, directed by David F. Sandberg. The superhero film followed a teenager named Billy Batson who transforms into an adult hero, with Eugene portrayed as one of Billy’s foster siblings. Chen’s performance in the film introduced him to a global audience and established him within a major franchise.

Notable Works and Milestones

Chen returned to the DC Extended Universe for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, released in 2023, reprising his role as Eugene Choi. The sequel brought back the core cast of foster siblings and continued the story of the Shazam family, reinforcing Chen’s place within the franchise. Across television and film, his work on Fresh Off the Boat and the Shazam! films stands as the defining body of work of his career so far.

Ian Chen Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Ian Chen has been recognized by entertainment publications for his work as a young performer. Industry lists and rankings have highlighted his performances in Fresh Off the Boat and the Shazam! films, placing him among the most notable young actors of his generation.

Ian Chen Awards Won

Chen has earned recognition from a range of entertainment outlets for his work as a child and teen actor. In 2015, Entertainment Weekly ranked him number three in its 12 Under 12: The Best Child Actors list, behind Jacob Tremblay and Marsai Martin. In 2018 and 2019, The Hollywood Reporter named him one of the Top 30 Stars Under Age 18, reflecting his continued presence in major television and film projects. In 2022, visitors to Ranker ranked him number one in The Best Asian Actors Under 25, further cementing his reputation as one of the leading young performers in Hollywood.

Ian Chen Family

Ian Chen was born into a Taiwanese American immigrant family in Los Angeles, California. He grew up alongside a younger brother named Max, and both brothers are fluent in Mandarin. His family background has remained an important part of his public identity, particularly as his most well-known role, Evan Huang on Fresh Off the Boat, also centers on a Taiwanese American family.

Personal Life

Outside of acting, Chen has pursued a range of personal interests. He sings and plays guitar in a band, and he is an enthusiastic video game player and aviation fan. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 2024 and went on to attend Harvard University, where he continues his studies while maintaining his acting career. Chen tends to keep his personal relationships private, and details about partners are not publicly confirmed.