Actor and comedian Steve Park, known for his roles in Friends and Boy Meets World, has opened up about a disturbing racist incident he witnessed on the set of the iconic sitcom. In a recent podcast interview, Park described the Friends set as a “toxic” environment and recounted how a crew member used a racist slur towards fellow guest star James Hong.
Park revealed that the crew member, when calling Hong to the set, said, “Where is the Oriental guy? Get the Oriental guy.” This shocking display of racism left Park deeply disturbed and prompted him to take action.
“When I called Screen Actors Guild after that happened, the person I spoke with recommended I write an article to the L.A. Times,” Park revealed.
Park’s decision to speak out led him to write a “mission statement” calling for better treatment of Asian Americans in Hollywood. This open letter, published in 1997, detailed the incident and exposed the pervasive racism he experienced in the entertainment industry.
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“This is bigger than this show,” Park stated. “This isn’t the first time this has happened. But this is the environment where this is business as usual in Hollywood in 1997.”
Park’s brave move to expose the racism he faced sparked a much-needed conversation about the treatment of Asian Americans in Hollywood. His “mission statement” went viral, garnering attention from various publications and highlighting the urgent need for change.
However, Park’s decision to speak out had a profound impact on his career. He revealed that the experience left him feeling “race-conscious and so angry” that he decided to step back from acting.
“I had become so race-conscious and so angry that I was looking at everything through the lens of race,” Park admitted. “I felt like there is no freedom. I didn’t feel any freedom. So I didn’t have any idea what I was going to do, but I just decided to drop out. I told everybody, ‘I’m not acting anymore.'”
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Despite the personal cost, Park’s courageous actions paved the way for greater awareness and change in the industry. His story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Asian American actors in Hollywood and the importance of continuing to fight for equality and representation.
