Lance Lim

#Lance Lim Lance Lim (born December 16, 2000) is an American actor and musician of Korean descent, known for his work in television, film, and music.^[1][2] He gained prominence with recurring roles as Runyen in the NBC sitcom Growing Up Fisher (2014) and as the lead character Zack Kwan in the Nickelodeon musical comedy series School of Rock (2016–2018).^[3][4] Lim's film credits include supporting roles such as Camper Kevin in the science fiction sequel Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), Cody Park in the thriller Innocent Blood (2013), and Kyle in the comedy Hubie Halloween (2020).^[1][4] He has also voiced characters like Chao in the animated feature Duck Duck Goose (2018) and appeared in the short film An American Girl Story: Ivy & Julie 1976 - A Happy Balance (2017).^[4][2] In recent years, Lim has continued to build his career with guest and recurring appearances on television, including Dennis Katsumoto in Magnum P.I. (2020–2021), Adult Theo in A Million Little Things (2023), and Tyrant in the esports comedy Players (2022).^[5] Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, he began acting as a child and has since portrayed a diverse range of characters, often highlighting his Korean-American heritage.^[1][6]

Early life

Upbringing in Los Angeles

Lance Lim was born Lance Dae Lim on December 16, 2000, in Los Angeles, California.^[1] He grew up in the city, immersed in its diverse urban environment as a Korean-American.^[7] Lim's family hails from Korean descent, fostering a strong connection to his heritage from an early age. He is fluent in Korean, which he speaks at home, and has demonstrated a deep familiarity with Korean culture through personal experiences, including a visit to Korea around age 10.^[8] This bilingual upbringing allowed him to navigate both American and Korean influences seamlessly, with his mother playing a central role in his daily life by supporting his activities in Los Angeles.^[6] Lim has expressed a strong connection to his Korean heritage and culture.^[8] His childhood in Los Angeles provided a foundation of stability, blending the city's vibrant entertainment scene with familial values rooted in Korean identity, which later sparked his interests in performing arts.^[7]

Early exposure to entertainment

Lim's early exposure to entertainment began at age eight, when he was discovered singing at his local church in Los Angeles, an experience that quickly led to his first acting opportunity in the student film Jin.^[9] This initial foray ignited his passion for performing, as he described the moment of reading his first script during an audition as an "aha" realization of his love for acting.^[10] Influenced by his Korean heritage, Lim participated in South Korea's singing competition show Star Auditions at age ten in 2011, viewing it initially as a hobby that also deepened his cultural awareness.^[6] His family's encouragement played a key role in nurturing these interests, with his mother providing unwavering support and driving him to sets, which motivated his daily pursuits in the arts.^[10] Growing up in Los Angeles, Lim developed a strong affinity for performing arts through casual involvement like church singing, though no formal acting or singing classes are documented from this period.^[9] By around 2011, following his Star Auditions experience, Lim transitioned from these amateur activities to professional aspirations, auditioning more seriously and securing early roles that marked the start of his career trajectory.^[6]

Acting career

Initial roles (2011–2014)

Lance Lim began his professional acting career in 2011 at the age of 10 with a debut role as Paul in the short film Jin, directed by Il Cho, marking his entry into the entertainment industry through small-scale independent projects.^[11] The following year, in 2012, he secured minor television work as Kid #1 in the Disney XD pilot episode of Kirby Buckets, a comedy series centered on a young aspiring animator, providing Lim with his first on-screen television credit.^[12] Also in 2012, Lim appeared as Sam in the short film Mandevilla, directed by Andrew Oh, which explored themes of immigrant family dynamics and violence in a Korean-American community. In 2013, Lim appeared in the thriller film Innocent Blood as Cody Park.^[13] Lim's early career gained momentum in 2014 when he guest-starred as Milo in the episode "Charlie Gets Trashed" of FX's Anger Management.^[14] That same year, he was cast as Runyen, the loyal best friend of the blind protagonist Henry Fisher, in the NBC sitcom Growing Up Fisher; this marked his first position as a series regular, with the role spanning all 13 episodes of the show's single season. The part allowed Lim to showcase comedic timing alongside established actors like J.K. Simmons and Jenna Elfman, highlighting his emerging talent in ensemble family comedies.^[8] Throughout these initial years, Lim, a Los Angeles native in his early teens, navigated the demands of frequent auditions—stemming from his discovery while singing at church—while managing school responsibilities, a common challenge for young performers in the competitive local industry.^[10][8]

Major television roles (2015–2019)

Lim's breakthrough in television came with his recurring role as Justin Chen, the cool cousin of protagonist Eddie Huang, in the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, appearing in three episodes from 2015 to 2019. These appearances showcased his ability to portray relatable Asian-American youth navigating family dynamics and cultural identity in a groundbreaking series that featured one of the first all-Asian American casts in a network sitcom since 1994.^[15] During this period, Lim also took on supporting roles in film, including Camper Kevin in the science fiction sequel Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), Andrew Ling in the television film An American Girl Story: Ivy & Julie 1976 - A Happy Balance (2017), and the voice of Chao in the animated feature Duck Duck Goose (2018).^[16][17][18] In 2016, Lim landed his first lead role as Zack Kwan, the reserved yet talented guitarist in a group of overachieving students forming a secret rock band, in Nickelodeon's School of Rock, serving as a series regular across all three seasons from 2016 to 2018.^[19] The character, inspired by the 2003 film, allowed Lim to explore themes of self-expression and rebellion against parental expectations, contributing to the show's diverse ensemble that highlighted young Asian-American talent in family-friendly programming.^[20] Lim continued building his profile with a recurring role as Justin Chang, a classmate and friend in the ABC comedy Speechless, appearing in four episodes from 2016 to 2019. This part emphasized supportive friendships within a family dealing with disability, adding depth to his portfolio of ensemble-driven narratives. Guest spots further diversified his work during this period, including a single-episode guest appearance as Kevin Casey in Disney Channel's Stuck in the Middle in 2018. He also recurred as Gun-Woo, a tech-savvy student, in three episodes of ABC's Splitting Up Together from 2018 to 2019.^[21] In 2019, Lim guest-starred as Eugene in the Hulu series PEN15, portraying a middle schooler in an episode exploring adolescent awkwardness and identity. These roles, spanning family sitcoms and youth-oriented comedies, elevated Lim's visibility as an Asian-American actor, aligning with a broader push for diverse representation in U.S. television that challenged stereotypes and amplified underrepresented voices in mainstream media.^[15]

Film and later work (2020–present)

In 2020, Lim made his feature film debut in the comedy Hubie Halloween, directed by Steve Brill, where he portrayed Kyle, a high school student involved in the film's quirky Halloween mystery. The Adam Sandler-led Netflix production marked Lim's shift toward ensemble film roles outside his earlier television work.^[22] Lim continued transitioning to more mature characters with a recurring role as Dennis Katsumoto, the son of detective Gordon Katsumoto (played by Tim Kang), on the CBS reboot series Magnum P.I. from 2021 to 2023.^[23] Introduced in season 3, Dennis is depicted as a resourceful young adult navigating family dynamics and occasional involvement in his father's investigations, appearing in multiple episodes across the final seasons. This role highlighted Lim's growth into supporting parts in procedural dramas, contrasting his previous youth-oriented series.^[24] In 2022, Lim took on the recurring guest star role of Tyrant, a competitive gamer and team member, in the Paramount+ mockumentary series Players, appearing in five episodes of the first season.^[25] The series follows an esports team, with Lim's character contributing to the group's dynamics in the competitive gaming world.^[26] Lim guest-starred as Adult Theo in the 2023 episode "One Big Thing" of ABC's drama A Million Little Things, providing a flash-forward portrayal of a character from the series' ensemble.^[27] This appearance underscored his versatility in dramatic roles dealing with themes of friendship and personal growth.^[28] Post-2023, Lim has a lead role as Noah Man in the upcoming television series Man Imperfect, appearing in 7 episodes (in post-production as of 2025).^[29] This period reflects Lim's ongoing evolution from Nickelodeon-era leads to more nuanced, adult-oriented supporting parts in film and television.

Musical endeavors

Songwriting and original releases

Lance Lim began exploring songwriting in his early teens, drawing from his longstanding passion for music that predated his acting career. Having started singing at age eight and playing guitar at age 13, Lim's initial forays into composition were influenced by his experiences on the Nickelodeon series School of Rock, where he portrayed guitarist Zack Mooneyham. This role provided a platform for his musical talents, including contributions to original tracks tied to the show.^[30][31] One of Lim's notable early contributions was to the School of Rock theme song, "Are You Ready to Rock?", an energetic rock anthem co-performed by the cast, including Lim on guitar and vocals. In 2018, he featured prominently on the show's original single "Outta My Head," a pop-rock track about shaking off intrusive thoughts, where Lim provided lead guitar and co-vocal duties alongside castmates. This song, released via Nickelodeon's official channels, showcased his musical performance skills.^[32][33][34] Lim's independent songwriting expanded beyond television in 2021, when he co-wrote "pedestal." for artist alpha yang, a introspective track exploring the illusions of fame and the pressure of public expectations. The song's lyrics, credited to Lim alongside alpha yang, incorporate subtle reflections on celebrity life, drawing from his own acting background without achieving widespread commercial traction. His Korean heritage, rooted in a bilingual upbringing and early participation in South Korea's Star Audition singing competition at age 10, infuses his work with cultural nuances, such as themes of identity and resilience often evident in his lyrical choices.^[35][6] By 2025, Lim continued releasing original material independently, including co-writing and performing on "Tears in Your Pocket" with ROSCO, a heartfelt rework addressing heartbreak and emotional recovery. In 2025, Lim collaborated on an acoustic cover of "Better Without You" with Madison Park Music, released on YouTube.^[36][37][38] Despite these efforts, Lim's songwriting output has remained modest, with no full albums and limited chart presence, focusing instead on personal expression over commercial pursuits. His process often stems from blending acting insights—like navigating on-set dynamics—with raw emotional storytelling, prioritizing authenticity in his compositions.

Covers and collaborations

Lance Lim has showcased his vocal abilities through a series of cover songs posted on his YouTube channel, primarily during his time on the Nickelodeon series School of Rock. These covers often feature acoustic arrangements and demonstrate his range across pop and R&B genres.^[39] One notable example is his 2018 cover of Shawn Mendes' "Lost in Japan," which highlights Lim's smooth tenor and guitar accompaniment, garnering significant views among fans of the original track.^[40] Similarly, in 2019, he released a rendition of Sam Kim's "No Sense," emphasizing emotional delivery and subtle instrumentation that aligns with the song's introspective vibe.^[41] Lim also performed a medley of Bruno Mars' 24K Magic album tracks in 2017, arranged by Mark Raggio and inspired by viral pianist Gabe Bondoc, blending high-energy pop with piano-driven flair to capture the album's funky essence.^[42] In terms of collaborations, Lim joined singer Megan Lee for an acoustic cover of Meghan Trainor's "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" featuring John Legend in 2016, where their harmonious vocals added a youthful, duet dynamic to the soulful ballad.^[43] He further teamed up with actor Noah Urrea for a 2017 cover of Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," delivering a playful, synchronized performance that underscored their on-screen chemistry from School of Rock.^[44] Beyond YouTube, Lim has shared live musical performances, such as his 2017 rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" at the Future Disruptors Concert, which received positive feedback for its heartfelt interpretation.^[45] These efforts, often tied to his acting roles, illustrate Lim's versatility in interpretive music while building on his songwriting interests.

Filmography

Television

Lance Lim's television appearances span a variety of roles, from guest spots to series regulars, primarily in family-oriented comedies and dramas. His credits are listed chronologically below, including key details on roles and episode participation where applicable.^[46]

• Kirby Buckets (2012, TV movie/pilot): Kid #1 (1 episode).^[12]
• Growing Up Fisher (2014): Runyen, series regular (13 episodes).^[47]
• Fresh Off the Boat (2015–2016): Justin Chen (3 episodes: "Success Perm," "Huangsgiving," "Sisters Without Subtitles").^[48]
• School of Rock (2016–2018): Zack Kwan, lead role (48 episodes); the series earned a 2016 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Children's Program, and Lim received a 2018 Young Entertainer Award nomination for Best Young Ensemble in a Television Series.
• Speechless (2016–2019): Justin Chang (4 episodes).^[49]
• Stuck in the Middle (2018): Kevin Casey (1 episode: "Stuck with a New Squad").^[50]
• Splitting Up Together (2018–2019): Gun-Woo, recurring (at least 3 episodes).
• PEN15 (2019): Eugene (1 episode: "Posh").^[51]
• A Million Little Things (2023): Adult Theo (1 episode: "One Big Thing").
• Magnum P.I. (2021–2023): Dennis Katsumoto, recurring (8 episodes).
• Players (2022): Tyrant (5 episodes).

No television appearances for Lim have been announced or credited as of November 2025.^[1]

Film

Lance Lim began his film work with short films before transitioning to feature roles in both live-action and animated projects. Lim was cast in the unaired 2019 pilot for the television adaptation of The Edge of Seventeen, but the project was not picked up for series production and remains unproduced as of 2025.