Born in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1973, Hoon Lee carved out a unique path that would eventually lead him to both stage and screen. He went on to attend Harvard University, where he earned his degree in English literature and environmental studies by 1994. After graduation, Hoon Lee made the move to New York City—a decision that would prove pivotal in shaping his artistic journey. It wasn’t long before Hoon Lee began immersing himself in the world of theater, gradually building a reputation as a versatile and committed performer.
Hoon Lee made his Broadway debut in 2001 with a role in the satirical political musical “Urinetown,” marking an important milestone early in his career. While theater remained close to his heart, Hoon Lee also started exploring opportunities in television. His first on-screen appearance came in 2003, when he played a doctor in a guest spot on HBO’s popular series “Sex and the City” (1998–2004). From there, Hoon Lee continued to expand his range, lending his voice to major video game titles like “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” and its sequel expansion, “The Lost and the Damned” from “Grand Theft Auto IV.”
Even as his screen presence grew, Hoon Lee never strayed far from the stage. In 2011, he returned to the Public Theater for two Shakespearean productions—delivering strong performances in both “Love’s Labor’s Lost” and the intense tragedy “Titus Andronicus.” Around the same time, Hoon Lee was making waves on television with guest appearances on shows such as “Royal Pains” (USA, 2009–) and “White Collar” (USA, 2009–2014), further solidifying his place in the industry.
A major turning point came in 2012 when Hoon Lee joined the voice cast of Nickelodeon’s animated reboot “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2012–). In this role, Hoon Lee brought depth and wisdom to Splinter, the rat sensei who guides the ninja turtles in their crime-fighting missions. Fans quickly embraced his portrayal, and it became one of his most recognizable roles. Then, in 2013, Hoon Lee took on his first recurring live-action television role as Job on the Showtime series “Banshee.” As the clever, cross-dressing tech genius who aids the show’s morally complex protagonist, Hoon Lee delivered a performance that was both memorable and groundbreaking.
Throughout his career, Hoon Lee has consistently demonstrated a rare ability to move seamlessly between mediums—stage, screen, voice acting—while maintaining a strong, authentic presence. Whether portraying dramatic Shakespearean characters or bringing animated figures to life, Hoon Lee continues to leave a lasting impression across the entertainment landscape.
Well, when it comes to Hoon Lee, things get a bit interesting—his highest rated movie actually happens to be The Monkey King (2023), which, surprisingly, also holds the spot for his lowest rated film. Yeah, that’s right—Hoon Lee’s most praised and least praised work is one and the same: The Monkey King (2023). It seems like opinions on Hoon Lee’s role in this project are pretty divided. Some viewers really appreciated Hoon Lee’s performance, while others weren’t quite as impressed. So, whether you love it or not, The Monkey King (2023) definitely stands out in Hoon Lee’s career—for better or worse. And honestly, that kind of polarizing response isn’t something you see every day with Hoon Lee’s body of work.