Simu Liu , born in Harbin, China, on April 19, 1989, is a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate. He gained widespread recognition for portraying the title role in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), making him the first actor of Asian descent to lead a Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Liu immigrated to Canada at the age of five and overcame a difficult adolescence to graduate from business school in 2011. After being laid off from his accounting job, he pursued acting and stunt work, appearing in various television shows and films, including Kim’s Convenience . Beyond acting, Liu is an author, having written We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story (2022). He is also an advocate, speaking out against violence targeting Asian communities and supporting fundraising efforts for victims of the 2023 mass shooting during a Lunar New Year Festival in Monterey Park, California.

What are some famous roles that Simu Liu has played?

Simu Liu is a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate who gained prominence for his acting roles. He is well known for portraying the title character in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). Liu was the first actor of Asian descent to play a lead role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Before Shang-Chi , Liu had a main role in the critically acclaimed television show Kim’s Convenience (2016–2021). He also took small roles in TV series such as Taken (2017), Orphan Black (2017), and Fresh Off the Boat (2019). After Shang-Chi , Liu took voice roles in Star Wars: Visions (2021) and The Simpsons (2022). In 2023, he appeared in One True Loves and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie .

What is Simu Liu known for in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Simu Liu is known in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for his portrayal of the title character in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). Liu, a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate, is the first actor of Asian descent to play a lead role in the MCU franchise. Critics and audiences lauded his dynamic performance, which included martial arts and comedy. The film was also notable for its Asian-led cast, which included Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, and Benedict Wong. Liu described the film as “monumental” in its portrayal of “a community that hasn’t traditionally felt seen and felt visible.”

How did Simu Liu get started in acting and stunt work?

Simu Liu, born in China, moved to Canada at a young age and initially pursued a traditional path, graduating from business school in 2011 and working as an accountant. After being laid off, he broke away from his parents' expectations to pursue acting and stunt work. He steadily built his portfolio with roles in movies, TV shows, short films, and music videos. Key roles included the Canadian crime series Blood and Water (2015) and the critically acclaimed Kim's Convenience , which began in 2016. Liu also took smaller roles in TV series such as Taken (2017), Orphan Black (2017), and Fresh Off the Boat (2019), before landing the lead in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021.

In addition to acting, what books or writing has Simu Liu done?

Simu Liu is a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate who gained prominence for his acting, particularly in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings . Beyond acting, Liu is also an author. He wrote We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story , a memoir published in 2022. Additionally, Liu is an advocate, speaking against violence targeting Asian communities and supporting fundraisers for victims, such as those of the 2023 mass shooting during a Lunar New Year Festival in Monterey Park, California.

Simu Liu

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Images

Actor Simu Liu smiles at the camera, wearing a blue suit jacket, white shirt, and gold chain necklace at the 20th Annual Asian American Awards.

Simu Liu and Andrea Bang stand indoors with concerned expressions in a scene from Kim's Convenience, with a pink Happy Anniversary banner hanging behind them.

Simu Liu as Shang-Chi stands in a martial arts pose holding a staff, wearing a red and black costume, with traditional Chinese architecture and lanterns in the background.

Simu Liu as Shaun and Shang-Chi, Meng'er Zhang as Xu Xialing, and Awkwafina as Katy Chen stand behind a swirling, illuminated splash of water in a scene from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Simu Liu as Shang-Chi stands in a traditional room with red columns and lit candles, wearing a red and black costume and holding a staff.

Simu Liu smiles while wearing a red suit at the 19th annual Unforgettable Gala in Beverly Hills, California.

Quick Facts

Born:: April 19, 1989, Harbin, China (age 37)

On the Web:: Fresh Air Archive - Simu Liu (Oct. 16, 2026)

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Simu Liu

Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate

Written by

Nicholas Gisonna

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 16, 2026 •History

Top Questions

Who is Simu Liu?
Simu Liu, born in Harbin, China, on April 19, 1989, is a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate. He gained widespread recognition for portraying the title role in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), making him the first actor of Asian descent to lead a Marvel Cinematic Universe film.

Liu immigrated to Canada at the age of five and overcame a difficult adolescence to graduate from business school in 2011. After being laid off from his accounting job, he pursued acting and stunt work, appearing in various television shows and films, including Kim’s Convenience.

Beyond acting, Liu is an author, having written We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story (2022). He is also an advocate, speaking out against violence targeting Asian communities and supporting fundraising efforts for victims of the 2023 mass shooting during a Lunar New Year Festival in Monterey Park, California.
1 Britannica Source
1. Simu Liu
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What are some famous roles that Simu Liu has played?
Simu Liu is a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate who gained prominence for his acting roles. He is well known for portraying the title character in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). Liu was the first actor of Asian descent to play a lead role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.

Before Shang-Chi, Liu had a main role in the critically acclaimed television show Kim’s Convenience (2016–2021). He also took small roles in TV series such as Taken (2017), Orphan Black (2017), and Fresh Off the Boat (2019). After Shang-Chi, Liu took voice roles in Star Wars: Visions (2021) and The Simpsons (2022). In 2023, he appeared in One True Loves and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie.
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1. Simu Liu
2. Awkwafina: Nora from Queens, The Little Mermaid, and films from the 2020s
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What is Simu Liu known for in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Simu Liu is known in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for his portrayal of the title character in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). Liu, a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate, is the first actor of Asian descent to play a lead role in the MCU franchise. Critics and audiences lauded his dynamic performance, which included martial arts and comedy. The film was also notable for its Asian-led cast, which included Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, and Benedict Wong. Liu described the film as “monumental” in its portrayal of “a community that hasn’t traditionally felt seen and felt visible.”
1 Britannica Source
1. Simu Liu
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Simu Liu get started in acting and stunt work?
Simu Liu, born in China, moved to Canada at a young age and initially pursued a traditional path, graduating from business school in 2011 and working as an accountant. After being laid off, he broke away from his parents' expectations to pursue acting and stunt work.

He steadily built his portfolio with roles in movies, TV shows, short films, and music videos. Key roles included the Canadian crime series Blood and Water (2015) and the critically acclaimed Kim's Convenience, which began in 2016. Liu also took smaller roles in TV series such as Taken (2017), Orphan Black (2017), and Fresh Off the Boat (2019), before landing the lead in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021.
1 Britannica Source
1. Simu Liu
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
In addition to acting, what books or writing has Simu Liu done?
Simu Liu is a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate who gained prominence for his acting, particularly in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Beyond acting, Liu is also an author. He wrote We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story, a memoir published in 2022. Additionally, Liu is an advocate, speaking against violence targeting Asian communities and supporting fundraisers for victims, such as those of the 2023 mass shooting during a Lunar New Year Festival in Monterey Park, California.
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1. Simu Liu
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How has Simu Liu used his platform to advocate for diversity and representation in media?
Simu Liu is a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate who has used his platform to advocate for diversity and representation in media. Liu, who is of Asian descent, became a celebrity with the blockbuster Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). He portrayed the martial arts superhero and was the first actor of Asian descent to play a lead role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Liu described the film as "monumental" in its portrayal of "a community that hasn’t traditionally felt seen and felt visible". Besides his acting roles, Liu often speaks out against violence toward Asian communities and promotes fundraisers for victims.
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1. Simu Liu
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Simu Liu (born April 19, 1989, Harbin, China) is a Canadian actor, stuntperson, author, and advocate. After spending many years as a moderately successful actor, Liu became a celebrity with the blockbuster Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). He portrayed the titular martial arts superhero and was the first actor of Asian descent to play a lead role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.

Liu was born in Harbin, China, and was raised by his grandparents while his parents, both engineers, pursued their education. When Liu was five years old, he left the happy childhood he had with his grandparents and moved to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, to live with his mother and father. He had difficulty adjusting to the culture and to his parents’ high expectations. Liu consequently had a troubled adolescence.

Liu graduated from business school in 2011 and began working as an accountant. He was laid off after a few months and decided to break from the traditional path his parents had urged him to take and pursue a career in acting and stunt work. Liu worked steadily in movies, television shows, short films, and music videos. In 2015 he had a recurring role in the Canadian crime series Blood and Water, and starting in 2016 he had a main role in the critically acclaimed television show Kim’s Convenience (the series ended in 2021). For the rest of the decade, Liu continued to build his acting portfolio, taking small roles in such TV series as Taken (2017), Orphan Black (2017), and Fresh Off the Boat (2019).

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In 2021 Liu was chosen to play the titular Marvel comic book hero in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The film provides the origin story of Shang-Chi, an immigrant to America who must confront his father, the leader of the Ten Rings criminal organization in China. Critics and audiences praised Liu’s dynamic performance, which included martial arts moves and lighthearted comedy. In the United States, the movie was the second-highest grossing of 2021, surpassed only by Spider-Man: No Way Home, another Marvel movie. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was also notable for its Asian-led cast, which included Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, American comedian and actress Awkwafina, Chinese actress Meng’er Zhang, and British actor Benedict Wong. Liu described the film as “monumental” in its portrayal of “a community that hasn’t traditionally felt seen and felt visible.”

Following the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Liu was in high demand as an actor. He took voice roles in the animated film Star Wars: Visions (2021) and in a 2022 episode of The Simpsons. In 2023 Liu assumed the role of the romantic leading man in the film One True Loves. Later that year, he appeared in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, which starred Margot Robbie in the title role of the iconic doll and Ryan Gosling as Ken. Besides his acting roles, Liu wrote the memoir We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story (2022) and often spoke out against the rise of violence against Asian communities in the United States. He helped promote fundraisers for victims of the 2023 mass shooting during a Lunar New Year Festival in Monterey Park, California.

Nicholas Gisonna

Simu Liu

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