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to share with your new wife. It had to be easy enough, because she wasn't as experienced as I was. It had to be well- rehearsed, because I wanted to keep her safe —and furthermore, myself! At the same time, I had to try to kill her, because that's what my character is trying to do. And she had to try to kill me! Talk about a great honeymoon. I saw your IG post about the notes given to you be the director for your character in Yakuza Princess —how did you bring your character to life? KL: Originally, I wasn't supposed to be in Yakuza Princess. When my wife booked it, I went along with her only to hold her coffee and rub her back. I had been the lead of a movie before, and I know how much pressure and stress it is. But after seeing how quickly my teaching was helping her, they looked me up and realized that I am an established actor. They then offered me a role. They also increased the size of the role and added some great action scenes. The best part was that they gave me free rein to reinvent the character. Vicente just said, "He's sadistic. He's nuts and drives a taxi filled with kooky shit." It was incredible fun, because as an actor, you're used to only interpreting the writer's story. Rarely do you get to create a whole character from scratch. I had many iterations for the role, but what I settled on I think is really cool. If you can find a picture on my IG, you'll see what I mean. I can't wait for you to watch it. You're known for your role as Sgt. Eddie Chen in Nat Geo's miniseries, The Long Road Home, which is based on a true story. What was it like playing him? KL: Deeply gratifying. When you're playing a true story about real people, you're filled with a sense of purpose I can't describe. Some may see it as pressure, but I am fired up because that's what I live for. Eddie Chen was a man deeply loved and respected by his men. By playing him, I received so much love and support from people who knew him, many veterans have treated me like a brother from the moment we met. It was stunning for me to experience, because I have never seen an Asian man —Eddie was an immigrant and didn't speak English very well— so admired and loved, especially by people who don't come from big cities or liberal states. I felt so proud to represent this man who transcended being so different yet connecting us all. What's next for you? KL: With The Long Road Home, Midway, and A Shot Through the Wall, I have developed a reputation for playing real people, reflecting authentic Asian stories. I'm very proud of that! I want to represent my experience growing up as an Asian man in America and in the world. It's unprecedented that Asians are finally being seen and understood, and I'm so happy to be able to be a part of that. I think there are all kinds of people who would see themselves reflected in our experience, and realize we're not all that different. With Dragon Ball Z, Midway and The Long Road Home, I'm also becoming known as an action hero, the guy who fights for what he believes in and isn't afraid to sacrifice to save people. Who hasn't dreamed of being that! Let that be a hint to the next thing I'm working on, which I can't speak about yet. You'll just have to stay tuned. Any plans for the holidays? KL: I'm big on family, so I always go home for the holidays. I believe all of my success stems from my inner peace, which I owe to the incredible group of people close to me, who love me and support me. I reserve my holidays so I can focus on them, and let them know they are special to me. I also just started being a spokesperson for Lancer Legacy Ranch. It's a home for homeless veterans in Maud, Texas, founded by my friend Matt Fisk, who is one of the soldiers at the center of the tragic events of The Long Road Home. It offers a long list of services from mentorship to suicide prevention & PTSD counseling, to legal assistance, to employment assistance. The ultimate goal being the empowerment of its residents to create personalized, long-term strategies for success. He's one of life's true heroes. He took a great tragedy and transformed it into hope —a life mission to lift others from the same depths he suffered. I'll be visiting Lancer Legacy Ranch for the first time over the holidays, and extending my family. If you know a veteran who could use something like this, you can find them at ancerlegacyranch.org or call 903-585-2023. ML Keep up with Kenny at @TheKennyLeu on Instagram and don't miss Midway, in theaters now. WHAT WOULD FANS BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU? "Before I got into acting, I was on the United States Chinese martial arts team and competed all over the world, like Mexico, Turkey, and China! My body is loaded with sword scars from those days."