PARRY SHEN
DOB: June 26, 1973
Birthplace: New York
Ethnicity: Chinese
Occupation: Actor
Residence: California
Dina’s Thoughts on Parry
Breaking into Hollywood for an Asian actor is still incredibly difficult today, let alone ten years ago. Learning about Parry’s journey from the east coast moving to California and the ensuing years of sacrifices, his relentlessness at constantly improving his craft and worrying about maintaining his integrity through it all, it’s hard to disagree with labeling him as one of Hollywood’s hardest working actors. Parry’s lead role in Better Luck Tomorrow struck a chord with an entire generation of Asian Americans desperate for role models in American entertainment.
Parry is that Asian American actor whose name the average household might not have memorized yet but whose face will always ring a bell and whose affable disposition creeps its way into the public’s heart. As lab technician Brad Cooper on General Hospital, Parry breaks barriers portraying a gay character on one of television’s longest running daytime soap operas. From one role to another, Parry transitions seamlessly from the guy we love to hate to the lovable boy next door.
Beyond the glitz and glamour of an industry that spits out broken and dispirited actors by the minute, Parry Shen has withstood the ravages of Hollywood time, serving as an inspiration to hopeful Asian actors across North America.
Catch my interview with Parry.
Bio
Ever since Parry Shen’s breakout performance in MTV Films’ “Better Luck Tomorrow”, leading a group of over-achieving honor roll students into a downward spiral of crime, Parry has continued to demonstrate his diverse range from Columbia Pictures’ comedy, “The New Guy” and the “Hatchet” horror franchise, to Daytime TV’s “General Hospital”.
With television appearances including “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “Criminal Minds”, he currently can be seen as the smarmy, “Brad Cooper” on “General Hospital”, his third outing in “Hatchet III”, “the romantic sex comedy, “Yes, We’re Open” and heard in the videogames “Sleeping Dogs”, “World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria” and “Far Cry 3”. His first feature film helming as producer “UNIDENTIFIED”, is now available on Digital/DVD – visit www.unidentified-movie.com for all platform links.
In the past 6 years, Parry has spoken at over 100 Universities in his spare time — demystifying the Acting Business and sharing his experiences as an Asian American in the media to college students across the country. He has been profiled on “Entertainment Tonight” and “Extra” as well as in Rolling Stone, People Magazine and The Wall Street Journal.
“Daytime Confidential” recently named Parry as one of the 10 Best Soap Opera Newcomers of 2013 and “Soap Opera Digest” dedicated a 2-page spread to highlight Parry’s supporting role as being a fan favorite.
Parry is also the co-creator of the graphic novel, “Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology”, published by The New Press. The sequel, “SHATTERED” is currently available at all on-line book retailers.
He resides in Southern California with his wife Kim and daughters Avery & Kori.