According to the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Asian Americans represent 1% of all leading roles in Hollywood. Until recently, with the success of movies such as “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Crazy Rich Asians,” Asian Americans have primarily been in the background, away from the spotlight and cast as negative caricatures. 

The earliest stereotypes about Asian Americans were formulated around the 1800s, where Chinese immigrants were brought to work the California railroads because they were cheaper than American and European laborers. Their arrival was known as the Yellow Peril, and several laws were passed to exclude Chinese and Asian immigrants. 

Hollywood capitalized on these fears as they created characters such as Fu Manchu, described with over-slanted eyes and cruelly-sculpted eyebrows, or Charlie Chan, who was portrayed as a subservient, timid man. However, actress Anna May Wong overcame discrimination and racism to become the first Chinese American to have a successful career in Hollywood. Despite this, she was given stereotypical supporting roles in Hollywood and later split her time between Europe and the US for film and stage work. Wong was the first Asian-American actress to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1965 America, changes were made when immigration laws were relaxed, allowing for an influx of Asian American immigrants to enter the United States. A new stereotype was formed: the model minority, goal-oriented, competitive and hardworking but lacking in vibrance and charm. However, at the same time, actors, including George Takei, became more significant in works such as “Star Trek” and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi in “The Karate Kid” film series.

It wasn’t until “The Joy Luck Club” that an all-ensemble cast featured mostly Asian American trailblazing actors. Set in San Francisco, the film is based on Amy Tan’s novel of the same name and tells the story of the struggles that four Chinese-American-born women and their Chinese-born mothers face. The film received widespread acclaim from a broad range of American audiences. 

A year later, after “The Joy Luck Club,” the show “All-American Girl” featured Asian American leads, including actress Margaret Cho. The sitcom “Fresh off the Boat,” starring Constance Wu and Randall Park, was released 21 years after “All-American Girl.” It took 25 years later for another film to feature an all-star Asian American ensemble cast: “Crazy Rich Asians,” based on Kevin Kwan’s novel of the same name. Also starring Wu, the film is about a Chinese-American professor who travels with her boyfriend and realizes that his family is among the richest in Singapore. 

Originally from Virginia, Wu decided to pursue acting and move to Los Angeles, where she has been an advocate for greater diversity in the film industry.

“We are not supporting roles,” Wu said in an interview with Time Magazine. “We are stars on our own journeys.”

Only one actor of Asian heritage has won an Academy Award for Best Actor; Actor Ben Kingsley won an Academy Award in 1983 in his role as Mahatma Gandhi in “Gandhi.” Miyoshi Umeki was the first East Asian-American woman to win an Academy Award for her role in “Sayonara.” The recent success of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the 95th Academy Awards led to multiple Asian actors and actresses winning awards: renowned actress Michelle Yeoh winning Best Actress and Ke Huy Quan winning Best Supporting Actor. 

Yeoh has a long history with Asian cinema through her work in action movies such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Yeoh performed all her own stunts during these movies and expanded her roles in movies such as “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” 

“For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities,” Yeoh said in her acceptance speech. “This is proof that dreams come true.”