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Osric Chau
Osric Chau
from Wikipedia

Osric Chau (Chinese: 周逸之; Jyutping: zau1 yat6 zi1) is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Kevin Tran in the CW series Supernatural, Vogel in the BBC America series Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, and Ryan Choi in the TV shows set in the Arrowverse.

Key Information

Life and career

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Chau's father is from Hong Kong, and his mother is from Malaysia.[1] In 2000, he took up Wing Chun and continued to study the martial art for eight years. He also studied tai chi and traditional forms of wushu under Zhang Zhi Bing, a master from Harbin, China. After four years, upon Zhang's return to China, Chau enrolled in West Coast Chinese Martial Arts in Vancouver under head instructor Bruce Fontaine and studied modern wushu, a more performance-orientated martial art. In 2007, Chau trained for seven months with the BSU Wushu Team at Beijing Sport University in preparation for the Canadian National Team Trials. Upon his return, he became a member of the Canadian National Wushu Team.

Chau originally wanted to be a stuntman rather than an actor,[2] and worked on stunts for EA Games before appearing in his first major role opposite David Carradine and Daryl Hannah in the two-part television film Kung Fu Killer.[3][4] He went on to make his feature film debut in a supporting role in the 2009 film 2012[2] and later became more well known through his recurring role as Kevin Tran in the CW fantasy series Supernatural.

Chau has collaborated with the YouTube channel The Hillywood Show in video parodies of The Walking Dead,[5] Supernatural,[6][7] and Sherlock.[8] He has also been involved with campaigns against stereotyping in media.[9]

In 2018, Chau starred in the Manila-set independent film Empty by Design alongside Filipina actress Rhian Ramos and Crazy Rich Asians actor Chris Pang.[10] Empty by Design marks Chau's first feature film producing endeavor.[11] In September 2019, Chau was cast as Ryan Choi in the Arrowverse, and was featured during three of the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" episodes.[12] In November 2019, he was cast as the lead to the Indonesian horror film, The Villa.[13]

In 2021, he returned to The Flash as Ryan Choi for the third and fourth parts of its "Armageddon" event which opened the eighth season.[14] This was an alternate timeline version who had no family, but as part of Team Flash had taken up the mantle of Atom like in the comics.[15]

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Cold Squad Vic Dnang
2007 Dragon Boys Teen Television film
2008 Kung Fu Killer Lang Han
2009 The Troop Hector Episode: "Forest Grump"
2011 Best Player Ash's buddy Television film
2012 Mister French Taste Leon 7 episodes, writer for 1 other
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn J.J.
2012–2019 Supernatural Kevin Tran Recurring role, 20 episodes
2014 The 100 Red Eyed Boy Episode: "I Am Become Death"
2015 Beyond Redemption Rickson
Blood and Water Charlie Xie
2016 Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders Gul
2016–2017 Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency Vogel (member of the Rowdy 3) Recurring role
2019–2021 Carmen Sandiego The Troll Voice
2019, 2021 The Flash Ryan Choi / Atom Episodes: "Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 3", "Armageddon" parts 3 and 4
2020 Arrow Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 4"
Legends of Tomorrow Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 5"
2021 Morning Show Mysteries Wally Episode 6: "Murder Ever After"
2021, 2023 Nancy Drew Edwin George Chen 3 episodes
2022 Star Trek: Discovery Oros Episode: "The Galactic Barrier"
Tekken: Bloodline Bully 1 Voice, 1 episode
Christmas at the Golden Dragon Rick Chen Television film
2023 My Adventures with Superman Lewis Lane Voice, episode: "Kiss Kiss Fall in Portal"
2024 Avatar: The Last Airbender Tan Episode: "Omashu"
Fire Country Kenji Episode: "What the Bride Said"
Holidazed Ted Lin

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2009 2012 Nima
2010 What Women Want Chen Er Dong
2012 Fun Size Peng
The Man With The Iron Fists Blacksmith's Assistant
2014 The Akira Project Kaneda Shotaro
2016 The Matchbreaker Sam Independent film
2017 Boone: The Bounty Hunter Denny
2018 Status Update Donald Fu
2019 Empty by Design Eric Independent film; also producer
2021 Superhost Teddy Also executive producer
2023 Zoe.mp4 Matt
2025 Worth the Wait Nathan

Other

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2009 The Tea Master Stunts Short film
2012 Must Come Down Fight choreographer and executive producer
2014 The Walking Dead Parody Glenn Rhee Parody by the Hillywood Show
2015 Supernatural Parody Sam Winchester
2016 Sherlock Parody Jim Moriarty
2018 Supernatural Parody 2 Sam Winchester
2019 Umbrella Academy Parody Ben Hargreeves

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Osric Chau (born July 20, 1986) is a Canadian actor of Hong Kong Chinese and Malaysian Chinese descent, recognized primarily for his portrayal of the young prophet Kevin Tran in the CW series Supernatural, a role he originated in 2012 and reprised across several seasons until 2020. Raised in Vancouver, Chau began acting classes at age eight and pursued intensive martial arts training from age thirteen, initially aiming for a career in stunts and coordination before shifting focus to on-screen performances. His early credits included stunt work and minor roles in films like Slither (2006) and The Haunting in Connecticut (2009), but Supernatural marked his breakthrough, earning him fan appreciation for embodying a brilliant, resilient character amid supernatural threats. Beyond , Chau has taken on diverse supporting roles, including the eccentric Vogel in (2016–2017) and appearances in genre projects like (2019) as Ryan Choi/The Atom. He has also starred in holiday films such as Christmas at the Golden Dragon (2021) and Holidazed, leveraging his martial arts background in action-oriented scenes. In recognition of his work in the Canadian drama Blood and Water (2015), Chau won a Leo Award for Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series. Chau's career reflects a transition from stunt aspirations to versatile acting, with ongoing involvement in production and storytelling; however, he has faced unverified online allegations from fans regarding inappropriate interactions, primarily circulated on social media platforms without corroboration from legal or journalistic investigations.

Early life

Family background and childhood

Osric Chau was born on July 20, 1986, in , , , to a father from and a mother from , both of Chinese descent. He was raised in by parents who emphasized extracurricular activities for him and his siblings, fostering an environment that encouraged exploration of diverse interests amid the city's multicultural setting. This upbringing as a second-generation Chinese-Canadian exposed Chau to blended Eastern and Western cultural influences from his family's heritage, including potential linguistic ties to through his paternal roots. Chau's early years in shaped his awareness of identity, with family dynamics reflecting immigrant parental support for adaptation in a North American context, though specific personal reflections on childhood challenges remain limited in public accounts.

Education and initial training

Chau attended Winston Churchill Secondary School in , where he served as president and developed skills through frequent addresses, balancing academic responsibilities with extracurricular pursuits. Born and raised in to parents of and Malaysian origin, he began formal training at age 13, initially focusing on in 2000, which he studied intensively for eight years to build foundational discipline and physical resilience. His regimen expanded to include and traditional wushu forms under instructor Zhang Zhi Bing in , , followed by modern wushu at West Coast Chinese in with head instructor Bruce Fontaine. In 2007, at age 21, Chau trained for seven months with the BSU Wushu Team at to prepare for Canadian National Team trials, ultimately securing a position on the team through competitive performance. This self-directed progression emphasized practical skill integration over institutional certification, honing precision, adaptability, and endurance applicable to physical performance. Early exposure to performance came via acting classes starting at age 8, without enrollment in dedicated drama programs or formal institutions, prioritizing hands-on repetition and iterative refinement in community settings over structured curricula. These experiences cultivated resilience amid Vancouver's competitive youth arts scene, where Chau pursued stunts as an initial career vector, leveraging martial arts proficiency for coordinated movement rather than relying on scripted theatrical training.

Career

Early work in stunts and acting

Chau entered the Vancouver entertainment industry in the early as a , capitalizing on his competitive wushu background and training in disciplines including and to secure work in action sequences. His early stunt credits included contributions to the The Tea Master in 2009, where his proficiency enabled authentic fight amid the competitive local scene dominated by practical effects and low-budget productions. This phase honed his on-set resilience, as he navigated entry barriers through self-reliant techniques for and sequence execution, distinct from formal stunt coordination training. Transitioning to on-camera roles, Chau secured minor acting parts in Canadian television, building credentials via bit players that showcased his physical versatility. In (2009), he portrayed Hector in one episode, leveraging stunt skills for comedic action beats in the series filmed in . His first leading role came in the 2008 TV movie Kung Fu Killer, opposite , where producers selected him for his ability to perform demanding wirework and combat without a double, marking a pivot from background stunts to foreground presence. By 2009, Chau appeared as Nima, a Tibetan , in Emmerich's 2012, a role that required him to execute his own high-risk sequences during apocalyptic set pieces, including falls and maneuvers, further establishing his dual stunt-acting utility in major productions. These pre-2010s efforts, often uncredited or supporting, emphasized hands-on experience over scripted dialogue, positioning him amid Vancouver's hub for genre television and effects-heavy cinema where authenticity differentiated performers in a field prone to specialized action.

Breakthrough role in Supernatural

Chau was cast as Kevin Tran, a brilliant high school student unexpectedly chosen as a prophet to translate the Tablet, debuting in the season 7 episode "," which aired on May 2, 2012. The character functioned as a key ally to protagonists Sam and , leveraging his academic skills to decode lore while grappling with isolation, trauma, and moral dilemmas induced by demonic manipulations and captivity. Chau's portrayal emphasized Tran's intellectual resourcefulness alongside vulnerability, portraying a burdened by prophetic visions and family separation. Recurring through seasons 7 to 9, Tran appeared in 20 episodes from 2012 to 2014, culminating in the character's death in season 9's "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" on February 19, 2014, before brief returns in later seasons. This sustained presence elevated Chau from peripheral stunt performer to a central recurring figure, with Chau describing the role as his "big breakout role" due to its unprecedented production scale and narrative depth compared to prior background work. The performance drew acclaim for authenticity, as Chau infused Tran with insights from his own Asian immigrant family dynamics—navigating high expectations and cultural adaptation—avoiding rote stereotypes in favor of a relatable, multifaceted young Asian lead. The role catalyzed Chau's broader recognition, particularly among Supernatural's dedicated audience, by providing one of the series' few prominent Asian-Canadian characters amid a predominantly white ensemble, thereby advancing empirical visibility for actors of similar backgrounds in genre television. Post-casting, Chau's participation in fan conventions organized by Creation Entertainment intensified, with regular panels, photo ops, and fan interactions—such as interviewing attendees at events—solidifying his status as a fandom favorite and shifting him toward lead-adjacent prominence. This engagement correlated with expanded social media activity, including early Twitter outreach under aliases like @KevinTranAP for direct fan sessions, fostering a loyal online following that amplified his career trajectory beyond episodic television.

Subsequent television and film roles

Following his tenure on Supernatural, Chau took on the role of Vogel, a manic member of the antagonistic Rowdy 3 gang, in the series across its 2016 and 2017 seasons, earning promotion to series regular for the second installment. His performance as the chaotic, unpredictable Vogel contributed to the show's , adapted from ' novels, and garnered him a Leo Award for Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series. Chau expanded into superhero media with recurring appearances as physicist Ryan Choi, who assumes the Atom mantle, first in the 2019 Arrowverse crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths and later in The Flash's 2021 "Armageddon" arc. These episodes highlighted Choi's intellect and heroism amid multiversal threats, aligning Chau with DC Comics adaptations amid the franchise's peak ensemble events. In animation, he voiced Lewis Lane, Lois Lane's brother, in the 2023 Adult Swim series My Adventures with Superman, blending family dynamics with action-oriented storytelling. Transitioning to film, Chau starred as Teddy, a desperate travel vlogger ensnared in , in the 2021 thriller , which explored digital fame's dark underbelly and received niche acclaim for its tension despite modest box office. He ventured into holiday ensemble fare as Ted Lin in the 2024 Hallmark+ miniseries Holidazed, portraying a romantic lead in one of the network's rare Asian-centric narratives amid familial holiday chaos. By 2025, Chau maintained momentum in streaming-driven projects, appearing in the ensemble Worth the Wait, an all-Asian-American film navigating love and loss, which premiered on in May to positive notes on its heartfelt, interconnected vignettes. He also featured in the thriller Influencers, delving into and obsession, underscoring his versatility across horror, romance, and genre hybrids as independent and platform content proliferated.

Producing, directing, and other contributions

Chau entered producing with independent projects, including serving as on the 2019 film Empty by Design, a that highlighted Filipino-American experiences and premiered at festivals dedicated to Asian Pacific content. His producing credits extended to subsequent works such as the 2023 short and the 2024 project Rags 2 Richmond, reflecting a pattern of involvement in smaller-scale narratives often overlooked by major studios. Transitioning to directing, Chau made his debut with the short film Good News in , which he wrote and directed; it premiered at the and received awards for its execution. This effort drew on practical skills acquired from on-set and experience rather than formal training, enabling hands-on control over storytelling. In parallel, Chau has contributed to discussions on Asian representation through producing roles and s, emphasizing the limited availability of lead opportunities for Asian actors before the —a scarcity evidenced by industry data showing Asian leads in under 1% of top-grossing films from 2007 to 2017. In a , he highlighted producing as a means to counter such imbalances by creating authentic stories, independent of mainstream gatekeeping.

Personal life

Martial arts expertise and physical pursuits

Chau began training in at age 13, initially inspired by action films featuring . In 2000, he enrolled in classes, studying the discipline for eight years to develop self-defense applications and techniques. He concurrently pursued and traditional wushu forms under instructor Zhang Zhi, achieving proficiency sufficient to join the Canadian National Wushu team in 2007. This competitive involvement at the national level underscored his technical skill in forms and wire-assisted movements, honed through rigorous practice that emphasized precision and endurance over recreational practice. His physical conditioning directly facilitated early stunt work, including contributions to productions like those for EA Games, where proficiency allowed for authentic execution of dynamic sequences without reliance on effects. Chau has maintained this regimen through consistent personal training, viewing it as a foundational rather than intermittent fitness trends. In 2021, he participated in the series Get Ripped, Get Tipped, demonstrating core workouts and synergistic exercises alongside guests, which highlighted his ongoing emphasis on functional strength derived from martial roots. This sustained pursuit reflects a practical integration of physical capability as a personal constant, enabling reliable performance in high-demand scenarios.

Philanthropy and fan engagement

Chau has supported Random Acts, a nonprofit co-founded in 2010 by fellow actor , focusing on education and community development initiatives. In November 2015, he traveled to , , as a special guest volunteer, participating in the construction of a free high school campus by shoveling concrete and bending , and assembling eco-friendly stoves and water filtration systems for rural villages. His involvement helped recruit dozens of volunteer fundraisers, contributing to Random Acts raising $179,000 by the end of 2015 for such projects. Through fandom events, Chau has engaged in charity efforts tied to conventions, including t-shirt campaigns starting in late 2014 that benefited Random Acts via fan-designed merchandise sales featuring actors like himself. These activities align with the broader fandom's tradition of auctions and raffles at events like virtual Couch Con during the quarantine, which supported community causes though not exclusively led by Chau. In fan engagement, Chau launched a custom on January 17, 2018, developed with escapex, enabling direct, location-independent communication with supporters through features like personalized updates and interactive content. This platform represented an early adoption of subscription-based models for celebrities, allowing controlled relationship-building beyond traditional , though it highlights the commercial undercurrents of intensified fan access. He has maintained engagement via ongoing appearances at -themed conventions, such as the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con panel surprise and scheduled 2025 events including Queen City Expo in November and Horror Expo in . These gatherings facilitate through Q&A sessions, autographs, and photo opportunities, fostering among attendees while exposing participants to the demands of repeated public scrutiny.

Controversies

Grooming allegations in Supernatural fandom

In December 2020, allegations against Osric Chau emerged on and , accusing him of grooming underage fans through inappropriate direct messages, including requests for nude photos and other creepy interactions spanning several years. These claims, primarily shared via anonymous or pseudonymous posts, described Chau leveraging his celebrity status from the role of Kevin Tran in to engage privately with young female fans, often in the context of convention meetups and online fandom spaces. Chau responded with a public statement on December 20, 2020, denying the accusations and expressing appreciation for supportive fans amid the controversy. A specific account surfaced in a episode of Special Survivors, where self-identified survivor Lyndsey Tackett, aged 19 at the time of sharing, recounted being groomed by Chau via beginning when she was underage, involving persistent messaging and emotional manipulation within the Supernatural fandom dynamic. The episode highlighted content warnings for celebrity grooming and , framing the interactions as exploitative given the power differential between and fans. However, these narratives rely on personal testimonies without corroborating documentation, and social media platforms like and podcasts hosted by survivors carry inherent limitations in verification, as claims remain anecdotal absent third-party evidence. The allegations divided the : defenders argued they reflected misinterpretations of enthusiastic convention culture and unverified anecdotes, while critics emphasized inherent risks of adult celebrities interacting closely with minors in fan environments. Discussions resurfaced on in 2025, with videos reiterating survivor stories and calling for accountability in fandom spaces, but introduced no additional such as screenshots beyond initial reports or independent investigations. As of October 2025, no police reports, lawsuits, or criminal convictions related to these allegations have been filed against Chau, underscoring the challenges in substantiating social media-driven claims without legal proceedings. His has shown no discernible derailment, with ongoing involvement in projects including the films Worth the Wait and Holidays, alongside convention appearances. This outcome illustrates the bounded impact of unproven online accusations in circles, where reputational effects often dissipate absent formal adjudication.

Filmography

Television

Osric Chau's television credits span guest appearances and recurring roles, primarily in science fiction, fantasy, and procedural genres, showcasing his versatility in supporting characters.
Year(s)TitleRoleNotes
2002Cold SquadVic DnangGuest role in Canadian crime drama series.
2009HectorGuest appearance in live-action series.
2012Mister French TasteLeonGuest role in .
2012–2019Kevin TranRecurring role as a young prophet; appeared in 20 episodes across seasons 7–9, 11, and 15.
2014The 100Red Eyed BoyGuest role in single episode "."
2015Blood and WaterCharles XieRole in TV series.
2016–2017VogelRecurring role in sci-fi series based on ' works.
2017: Beyond BordersGul MongGuest star in episode.
2019–2021The FlashRyan Choi / AtomRecurring in crossovers, including ": Part Three" (2019) and "Armageddon" (2021).
2021Edwin George ChenRecurring in 3 episodes.
2022–KenjiRecurring role in action drama series.
2023Lewis LaneVoice role in animated superhero series.
These roles highlight Chau's progression from minor guest spots to more sustained recurring parts, often in ensemble casts within genre television, transitioning from fantasy-horror in Supernatural to sci-fi procedurals and superhero narratives.

Film

Chau's film debut came in the 2009 disaster epic 2012, directed by Roland Emmerich, where he portrayed Nima, a young Tibetan Buddhist monk displaced by apocalyptic events. This minor supporting role marked his entry into Hollywood features following earlier work in Canadian and Asian productions. In 2012, he appeared in two genre films: as Peng, a quirky friend, in the Halloween comedy Fun Size, and as Blacksmith's Assistant in RZA's martial arts actioner The Man with the Iron Fists. These roles showcased his versatility in ensemble casts blending humor and action. Transitioning to independent cinema, Chau played Cho in the 2014 romantic comedy-drama The Young Kieslowski, a road-trip story of teen pregnancy and self-discovery directed by Kerem Sanga. He later took the lead as travel vlogger Teddy in the 2021 horror thriller Superhost, directed by Brandon Christensen, where his character grapples with a sinister guest amid a faltering online career; the indie production emphasized psychological tension over gore. In holiday-themed features, Chau starred as Rick Chen in Christmas at the Golden Dragon (2022), a family ensemble drama about saving a Midwestern , blending cultural with light romance. His role as romantic lead Ted Lin in the 2024 holiday anthology Holidazed highlighted interpersonal dynamics in a suburban cul-de-sac setting, contributing to its focus on festive chaos and reconciliation. Chau's 2025 releases include the ensemble romantic comedy Worth the Wait, an Asian-American-centric narrative intertwining multiple couples' stories of love and loss, directed with an emphasis on authentic cultural intersections. These projects reflect a mix of indie genre work and broader ensemble storytelling, often prioritizing character-driven indie sensibilities alongside occasional mainstream holiday appeals.

Animation and voice work

Osric Chau provided the voice for Vincent, a triad enforcer, in the 2012 open-world action-adventure video game Sleeping Dogs, developed by United Front Games. In 2022, he voiced Bully 1, a minor antagonist, in the English dub of the anime miniseries Tekken: Bloodline, which adapts elements from the Tekken fighting game franchise and aired on Netflix. Chau lent his voice to Zhu, a supporting character, in the 2023 Canadian animated adventure film Heroes of the Golden Masks, directed by Mark Smith and produced by Head Gear Animation. That same year, he began voicing Lewis Lane, the younger brother of Lois Lane, in the Adult Swim animated series My Adventures with Superman, a stylized reboot of the Superman mythos produced by Warner Bros. Animation. These roles represent Chau's contributions to animation and voice-over work, primarily in genre projects blending action, adventure, and superhero elements.

References

  1. https://www.[imdb](/page/IMDb).com/name/nm1859543/
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