Steven Yeun (born Yeun Sang-Yeop)
Korean-American
Actor
Instagram: @steveyeun
South Korean born, Steven Yeun is popularly known for his role as Glen Rhee on AMC’s The Walking Dead. After moving from Korea to Canada, his family eventually settled in Troy, Michigan. It wouldn’t be until his freshman year at Kalamazoo College that he would gain interest in acting and improv. By sophomore year, he joined his college’s improve group and set the stage for his future career.
Following a non-traditional route, Steven made the decision to pursue an improv career after graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 2005, with a degree in psychology and concentration in neuroscience. So with courage, he told his parents of his decision not to enroll in law or medical school – rather, he wanted to focus on improv. Although his parents weren’t too happy, they supported Steven and gave him two years to pursue acting. So with a strong support system in hand, he moved to Chicago and joined Stir Friday Night, an Asian-American sketch comedy group. Steven would move on to join The Second City, an improvisational theater troupe based in Chicago, before moving to Los Angeles in 2009. This move turned out to be the best decision, as he was able to snag a main character role on The Walking Dead in 2010. Since then, Steven had become one of the few characters who were around since season one, until his surprising death on the season seven premier.
Steven’s other works include short appearances on television and film, including The Big Bang Theory, Law & Order: Los Angeles, The Legend of Korra (voice over), American Dad!, Conan and Voltron: Legendary Defender (voice over).
Interesting fact: after Steven’s parents met a doctor in America named “Steven,” they fell in love with the name and gave it to their son.