Willis Chung was born on June 23, 1986 in LA’s outer city of Monterey Park.  His father, businessman who constantly traveled around the world doing international trades.  His mother took on various clerical works while taking care of the children. Being the middle child, he has an older brother to look up to and a younger sister to take care of. They lived in California suburban home where he learned and adapted his Chinese-American culture.   Willis was speaking Mandarin at home and switched to English when he plays with his neighborhood friends.  

Due to his father’s business in the east coast, Willis and his family moved to New York when he was still in grade school.  From there, he adjusted a different culture, lifestyle and blended in quickly with the fast pace city-life. After two years of living in New York, Willis and his family returned back to familiar grounds of California. 

Willis was always a curious and active child; since his parents were constantly busy, he was enrolled into numerous after-school activities.  He started piano lessons at the age of 5.  Willis accumulated over six years of formal training and continued to grow on his own. 

Watching many Chinese action movies, Wushu martial arts had intrigued Willis into learning it himself.  While practicing Wushu, his master was impressed with Willis’ form and movement.  One day, his master recommended him to further his study and work on Tai-Chi.  Willis was hesitant about pursuing tai-chi thinking that the slow movement was an exercise for old people at the park.  However, from the support from his master and family, he was educated about the values and grace of Tai-Chi.  Willis put forth his decision which earned him one gold, two silver and two bronze in his first martial arts competition.

Willis attended a local community college after completing high school. Trying to figure out his passion, he attempted different selection of classes; he took nursing, business, and accounting classes but nothing strike him until his first theatre class.  Being on stage was a natural for Willis.  The professor was pleased with his work and dedication that the professor himself mentor private sessions with Willis after class.  This motivated him on his future career path.   Willis continued to enrich his studies in various aspects of theatre and film by attending seminars and workshops.

Wanting to earn a little spending money, Willis took a bank teller job during the days he had school off.  At the same time, he wanted something more in the entertainment industry; he applied for several extra works in hopes to make his dream come true.  Months passed and no responses, Willis continued to work as a bank teller.  On one October day, the bank manager walked toward his counter and enlightens him of a new promotion as a personal banker.  While the content Willis went home, thinking about his new promotion, he received a phone call.  The voice on the other side of the phone greeted him with a movie extra work on The Fast and Furious 3: Tokyo Drift.  He grasps at the opportunity and agreed to show up to the set.

His excitement and presence gave a very memorable impression on Director Justin Lin.  After two weeks into filming extra work, Willis received a voice mail offering him a supporting role of "tea hair gangster" in The Fast and Furious 3.  Willis experienced his first real Hollywood set and loved every part of it.  Upon working with some professional actors, director and crews, he was tutored and educated about the industry.  Shortly after, he became a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Willis is extremely thankful to Masa Kanome, who supported him to become a professional actor. Masa encouraged him to submit to his commercial agency, Cunningham Escott Slevin Doherty which began representing Willis since 2006.  Willis is also represented theatrically by Momentum Talent & Literary since 2008.

AfterThe Fast and Furious 3, Willis continued working on short independent films, commercials, and television.  His first national commercial was with Dunkin’ Donuts. He worked on feature films such as SuperBad and The Inventions of Lying.  His motion-capture / voice-over project with Square Enix introduced a better understanding of the animation and gaming industry.  Also, he co-starred as the patient of the week in the hit television show House M.D.  In addition, Willis also worked on numerous award winning short films.  His admirable sense of humour and candid smile has earned him positive praises with the people he worked with.  However, hard work and dedication is never far off in his professionalism.  On top of that, Willis started a production company, Third Estate Media, which produces music videos for most major labels, short films starring A-List actors from Asia, as well as several regional commercials airing on KCAL9 and numerous cable networks.

Willis is focusing on his acting career.  As much work as a person can take, Willis strives for each and every opportunity and remains down-to earth to his family and friends. Willis is the upcoming Asian actor to look out for.

Biography written by Cindy Woo.