A partial list of Filipino-Americans who made it bigtime in Hollywood according to Wikipedia.
Phoebe Cates
Cates was born Phoebe Belle Katz in New York City, New York to Lily and director and producer Joseph Cates (born “Joseph Katz”) on July 16, 1963. Her uncle is producer/director Gilbert Cates and her stepfather was Marshall Naify, a horse breeder.[2] Cates’s maternal grandfather was of Chinese/Filipino descent, and her father as well as her maternal grandmother were of Russian Jewish origin. Cates attended the Professional Children’s School and the Juilliard School. She is currently married to actor Kevin Kline.
Lou Diamond Phillips
Phillips was born Lou Diamond Upchurch on February 17, 1962 at the Subic Bay Naval Station in the Philippines, the son of Lucita and Gerald Upchurch, a naval officer. His father was an American of Scotch-Irish, Hawaiian and Cherokee descent and his mother was a Filipina of Spanish, Chinese and Japanese descent. Phillips was named after Marine legend Lou Diamond and adopted his surname, “Phillips”, from his stepfather.
Tamlyn Naomi Tomita
Tomita was born on January 27, 1966 in Okinawa to Shiro and Asako Tomita. She is of one quarter-Filipino descent (her mother is half Filipina, half Japanese). Before becoming an actress, she won the title of Queen at the Nisei Week Pageant in Los Angeles in 1984, and Miss Nikkei International in 1985. In 1986, Tomita made her acting debut in The Karate Kid, Part II, playing the love interest to Ralph Macchio. She also starred in the movie The Joy Luck Club.
Kirk Hammett
Kirk Lee Hammett (born on November 18, 1962) is the lead guitarist in the thrash metal band Metallica. Hammett is one of the better-known students of guitarist and instructor Joe Satriani. In 2003, he was ranked 11th in the Rolling Stones “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. Born in San Francisco California to a Filipino mother and an Irish Merchant marine father.
Rob Schneider
Robert Michael Schneider (born October 31, 1963) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and director. A stand-up comic and veteran of the NBC sketch-comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider went on to a career in feature films, including starring roles in the comedies Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and The Hot Chick. Schneider was born in San Francisco, California and grew up in the nearby suburb of Pacifica. He is the son of Jewish-American real-estate broker Marvin Schneider and Pilar Monroe, a former kindergarten teacher and ex-school board president; his maternal grandfather was a European-American soldier and his maternal grandmother was Filipina.
Jocelyn Enriquez
Jocelyn Enríquez is a dance singer from San Francisco, born in December 28, 1974. She is of Filipino descent: her parents are from the province of Pangasinan. She has recorded a couple of Billboard Top 100 hits.
Paolo Montalban
Paolo Montalbán (born May 21, 1973 in Manila, Philippines) is a Filipino American actor and singer. He most notably played Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat: Conquest along with Daniel Bernhardt and Kristanna Loken. Paolo is best known for his performance in the 1997 version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as the prince, opposite Brandy as Cinderella. He reprised that role in a 2001 stage version of the musical. Paolo was also cast in the films The Great Raid as Sgt. Valera, and American Adobo, as Raul.
APL
Allan Pineda Lindo, (b. 28 November 1974) better known as apl.de.ap, is a hip hop musician and member of the The Black Eyed Peas. He was born in the Barangay (Barrio) of Sapang Bato, Angeles City, Pampanga, in the Philippines, to a Filipina mother and African-American father.
apl.de.ap is an original member of the hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas where he is the main composer. His father, who was a U.S. serviceman stationed at nearby Clark Air Base, abandoned the family shortly after his birth. His mother, Christina Pineda, raised him and his four brothers and two sisters on her own in their small barrio. Music had always been part of Apl’s life, his early influences having been Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, The Beatles and the popular Filipino rock/folk group, Asin. Hip-hop soon came into the picture via the breakdancing, “I would take the jeepney all the way to Angeles City, and that’s how I got introduced to break dancing,” he said. “I would see kids at the corner break-dancing and I’m like, ‘I wanna do that.’”
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler (born May 8, 1975, in Madrid, Spain) is a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-winning Spanish-born, Miami-based singer and is of Asian and european ancestry.His Asian ancestry comes from his mother’s side of the family. Iglesias is the son of the famous Spanish singer Julio Iglesias and the Filipina socialite Isabel Preysler.
Shannyn Sossamon
Sossamon was born on October 3, 1978 in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Sherry Sossamon and Todd Lindberg, grew up in Reno, Nevada, and attended Galena High School there. She is of French, Hawaiian, Dutch, English, Irish, Filipino and German descent; her maternal grandmother is Hawaiian-Filipino, and her maternal grandfather is English-German. The y in her first name was an adolescent addition in 1995. The day after her high school graduation, Sossamon moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance.[1] Sossamon appeared in television commercials and had DJ gigs in local clubs. In 1999, Sossamon was discovered by casting director Francine Maisler, while assisting a friend DJ at Gwyneth Paltrow’s birthday party. She appeared in the movies 40 Days And 40 Nights opposite Josh Hartnett and A Knight’s Tale with Heath Ledger.
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Elikolani Prescovia Scherzinger (also known as Nicole Kea) (born June 29, 1978), is an American singer, dancer, songwriter and occasional actress best known for her work as the lead vocalist for the Pussycat Dolls. Scherzinger was born in Hawaii, to a Filipino father and Hawaiian/Russian mother. Her mother, Rosemary, separated from her father and then moved to Louisville, Kentucky with her German American stepfather Gary Scherzinger, and sister Ke’ala.
Victoria Recaño
Victoria Recaño is an Emmy Award-winning American television personality, best known for being a correspondent on such programs as The Insider and Inside Edition. Recaño was born in St. Louis, Missouri, one of six children. Her father was Filipino and Spanish having emigrated to the United States to pursue a career in medicine. Her mother was German-Hungarian. She studied dancing and piano, and attended high school at Cor Jesu Academy.
Vanessa Minnillo
Vanessa Joy Minnillo (born November 9, 1980) is an American television personality. A former Miss Teen USA, she is mostly known for recently hosting Total Request Live on MTV from 2003-2007 as well her past reporting as a New York-based correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. Vanessa Minnillo was born at Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Philippines to Vincent Minnillo, a U.S. Air Force aircrew member, and Helen Berecero. Her father is of Italian and Irish descent and her mother is–according to an October 2006 interview with Maxim magazine–of Polynesian descent, although a past article refers to her as Filipino. Because of her father’s military career, her family moved numerous times and resided in California, Nevada, Florida, Germany and Japan before eventually settling in Charleston, South Carolina.
Vanessa Anne Hudgens
Vanessa Anne Hudgens (born December 14, 1988 in Salinas, California) is an American actress and singer. She made her screen debut in 2003 and appeared in the Hollywood films Thirteen and Thunderbirds, before coming to fame in the 2006 hit Disney Channel film, High School Musical. Hudgens also began a music career and released her debut album, entitled V, in 2006. In 2007, Hudgens is the new spokesperson for Neutrogena. Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born on December 14, 1988; her sister, Stella Hudgens, is also an actress. She has been home-schooled since the seventh grade. Her parents are Greg Hudgens and Gina Guangco[citation needed]. In regards to her ethnic background, Vanessa was quoted: Pretty much I’m Filipino and Caucasian, but within that, I’m Spanish, Chinese, American Indian, Irish.
Brandon Baker
Brandon Baker (born April 28, 1985 in Anaheim, California) is an American actor. He is known for the made-for-tv movies, such as Disney movies Johnny Tsunami and its sequel, Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board as well as for his role on the short lived NBC sitcom One World. In 2002, he appeared in an episode of the Disney Channel original series Even Stevens. He was born in Anaheim, California. He is part English, German, and Filipino.
Tags: american idol, Filipinos, movies, Music & lyrics, Now showing, Philippines
Nice post, bookmark it
i felt proud to be a filipino after reading this page of yours. thank you so much!!!
well. i just want to thank these people who are proudly filipinos eventhough they are only half-filipino. i want to congratulate them for succesful career may they continue it and challenge their selves more. goodluck and godbless you all!!!! MABUHAY PILIPINAS!!!!!!
Im smiling while readig your journal on celebrities with Filipino blood because I also following some on-line reports about these where-abouts. Not only in Hollywood but also in British entertainment like Mylene Klass and Mutya Buena.
Recently, I watched Enrique Iglesias in Belfast and frankly, Im not a fan but because of his Filipino blood, I supported him. This is the link for the concert:
http://reymos.wordpress.com/2007/11/08/enrique-iglesias-belfast/
am i just want to contribute on your list…
michael copon – stars on BRING IT ON “On it to win it”
A resounding well done to the many Pinoy and Pinay around the world who are representing! I enjoyed reading your blog and being reminded of them. One of my faves is Cheryl Burke, a two-time champion of the US tv program Dancing With The Stars. You can check out her webiste at;
http://www.strictlycheryl.com/
More power!
I am very thankful for being a filipino after reading the blogs,….and to you my fellow filipinos in hollywood,a thumbs up 2 ol of you,gudluck to your careers guys!..
i hate fil-am who makes fun of other filipino who just got here in the U.S. because of the fact that they cant speak english right and sometimes being call “FOB” that is ridiculous.
jennifer lopez has a Filipino blood too..
very proud for them who made it big at Hollywood
specially for those who shouts to the whole world that they are Filipino
mabuhay ang mga Pinoy!
Tia Carerre is also of part Filipino descent
While Jennifer is of Puerto Rican descent her paternal grandmother’s parents were Europeans who settled on the island of Puerto Rico. Both her parents are of full European ancestry.
While Jennifer Lopez is of Puerto Rican descent her paternal grandmother’s parents were Europeans who settled on the island of Puerto Rico. Both her parents are of full European ancestry.
I’m happy I found this list. Although, I was hoping to see a full-blooded Filipino, I’m still glad I saw all these people, despite the fact Rob Schneider’s in it. I was born and raised in the Philippines with Filipino parents. Now, I’m in the U.S. taking classes for a major in Video Production. I hope to make it in Hollywood some day and end up on a similar list. I’m gonna make it. I believe I will.
That is great, Patrick! You’ll make it there someday.
And I will remember the name
Fil-Am Thats me Born in US but grew up in Olongapo my heart always belongs to Filipino Pride for life Mabuhay ang Pilipinas !!!!!!!!!!!!!
The girl that played in Hillary Duffs best friend in that Disney show… Lalane Vergara is filipino. There is also that model Madison who is half. You guys are forgetting the athletes…Batista is half, Brandon Vera is half, “Hawaiian Punch” the boxer and let’s not forget BJ Penn. There are plenty surfers in Hawaii that are half filipino…Sunny Garcia and homeboy that plays”Vince” in Northshore to name a few.
Coje… It’s “Bring It On : In It To Win It”… Actually Michael Copon’s Father Has A Filipino Decent…
the singer/actress/model Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura is also a half filipino (her father’s one).. she’s a cast in Step Up 2 the streets.. I hope you add her too.. oh.. and Sean Michael too.. he’s a cast in Akeelah and the Bee.. his name in that movie is Dylan..
hi to all famous half filipinos im so happy while reading all ur bibliography cos im a filipino too and studying overseas and im very proud of myself even i am not the one.
Great because there are people out there who work hard and strive for their dreams regardless what ethnicity they are. One ethnicity doesn’t make one successful, but it’s each person hard work. The sad thing is you don’t see any famous filipinos showing what they contribute to their community or society in general, especially in the Philippines. I am Filipino but I am glad I grew up here and brought up to be God fearing. It’s not all bright lights, famous, it beyond that. Where are the Filipinos who strive to contribute to a better society with their fame. Are there only entertainers to look up to? Is that why kids in the Philippines can only look up to actors, singers, dancers on shows…..maybe that’s why that country is the way it is. Seriously, think about it. Is that all that country wants to show to the rest of the world?
how about cassie ventura the rnb singer and actress??
I can’t say it’s encouraging that not one single 100% Filipino descent is on this list. However, there are a few that I can consider close to this list or who has made it. It would be nice to see someone of full Filipino descent “make it”.
Anna Maria Perez de Tagle has also a Filipino blood. She’s my fave hollywood star with Filipino blood. She stars in Hannah Montana,Cake and movies like Camp Rock, Bee Season, Cinderella, Bugsy Malone, Fame and The King and I. She is the granddaughter of Filipino singer Sylvia La Torre and fourth cousin of Enrique Iglesias. She also sings like her grandma. She has a very nice voice, she sang “Ikaw” at Jessica Soho when she was featured.She’s so sweet and kind.
hey, u forgot they include tia carrera (?) famous as the seductress opposite arnold schwarzeneger in True Lies!
also,i heard rachel bilson from the “OC” is also part filipino!!!
Does anyone know of any Filipino screenwriters?
Not forgetting Rosamund Pike from the James Bond movie DIE ANOTHER DAY she’s half pinay too…and the girl in Harry Potter..
Nicole anderson – jonas
vanessa hudgens – hsm 1,2,3
roshon fegan – camp rock 1,2
ashley argota – true jackson vp
Not mentioned here is Mark Dacascos who is the chairman of the Iron Chef America and he is also a famous actor. Another famous star who is also part filipino is Lou Diamond Philips. A wrestler named Dave Batista goes on the list too. Former Miss America, Angela Barraquio is pure filipina. One actress named Nia Peebles also has a filipino mother.
what about billy crawford, yea cassie as well… so many so many pa..
What about charice pempengco? She is rising too!
Manny “The Pacman” Pacqiuao, though not an actor, is very much revered by Hollywood. =)
The true filipinos are egorots (negros). They have afros and very dark skin and still live in the mountains of the philipines they did many many years. The rape of the country has led many filipinos to believe they are chinese, spanish, etc,. Most filipinos will dare not mention this because of the shame and rape of the country. Shame and arrogance will only take people as far as the thirst of being a singer or actor. Philipines is a third world country with hungry children and a corrupt government. I hope one day someone will step up to the plate and do something for true filipinos.
i’m a full blooded igorot and proud to be one…
They think, the Philippines is a third world country but if you try to observe here in Davao, many times in any hour of the day, you can see container vans loaded with different products and fruits coming from the fertile soil of the land. They are being delivered to ports for overseas destination. Please read also the stories about the Yamashita Treasures. Marcos could have made the Philippines great! The twist of fate changed the scenario…
You may also add:
* Cheryl Burke (Dancing with the Stars)
* Monique Lhuillier (Hollywood Fashion Designer)
* Tina Maristela Ocampo (Celestina Minaudieres)
* Dean Devlin (Screenwriter – Universal Soldiers)
* Chris Gatdula,Joe Larot, Reynan Paguio (JabbaWockeeZ)
* Cher Calvin (News anchor for KTLA/CW)
* Cristeta Comerford (Whitehouse Executive Chef)
* Eric Spoelstra (NBA Head Coach)
* Nate Robinson (Point Gurad, Boston Celtics)
the list can go on and on…
isn’t charice is a full blooded filipino?
She is a Filipino.