Michael Paul Chan (born June 26, 1950) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Lieutenant Michael Tao on the TNT series The Closer and Major Crimes. Chan also acted in U.S. Marshals, playing an assassin.
Early life and education A third-generation Chinese American, Chan was born in San Francisco, California. His brother was the late Jeffery Paul Chan, an author and academic.
Chan is a graduate of San Francisco State University and the American Conservatory Theater. He is a founding member of the Asian American Theater Company.
Career Chan's television work has included roles such as Judge Lionel Ping on Arrested Development, Detective Ron Lu on Robbery Homicide Division, the voice of Jimmy Ho on The PJ's, Mr. Chong on The Wonder Years, a Japanese investor in the 1990 Northern Exposure episode "Dreams, Schemes and Putting Greens", an agent of the Chinese Intelligence Agency on a 2011 episode of The Simpsons, and roles on Bones, Babylon 5, Nash Bridges, and The Young and the Restless.
One of Chan's more notable film roles was as the Korean convenience-store owner in the 1993 film Falling Down, where he refused to give a discount to Michael Douglas' character when he attempted to purchase a can of soda to get change for the pay telephone outside the store. Another was as Data's father in The Goonies. Chan appeared in both of Joel Schumacher's Batman movies, in two different roles - a Wayne Enterprises executive in Batman Forever, and Dr. Lee in Batman & Robin. Other films in his filmography include Americanese, Megiddo: The Omega Code 2, U.S. Marshals, Spy Game, The Protector, Quicksilver, The Joy Luck Club, The Insider, and Thief.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRole Notes/1981ThiefChinese Waiter1984RunawaySecurity chief1985The GooniesData's Father1986QuicksilverAsian Gangster1991Thousand Pieces of GoldHong King1992Rapid FireCarl Chang1993The Joy Luck ClubHaroldFalling DownMr. LeeJoshua TreeJimmy Shoeshine1994MaverickRiverboat Poker Player1995Batman ForeverWayne Enterprises ExecutiveGalaxisManny Hopkins1997Batman & RobinObservatory ScientistThe ProtectorAnthony Mane1998U.S. MarshalsXiang Chen1999The InsiderNorman2001Megiddo: The Omega Code 2Chinese PremierSpy GameVincent Ngo2006AmericaneseJimmy Chan2019Boy GeniusSam2024BaSonnyBetween BordersThe Judge
Television YearTitleRole Notes/1982T. J. HookerDoctorEpisode: "The Connection"1985Hill Street BluesSmithEpisode: "What Are Friends For"1986MacGyverBankerEpisode: "The Wish Child"1990Northern ExposureMasutoEpisode: "Dreams, Schemes and Putting Greens"1992The Wonder YearsMr. Chong, Chinese Chef3 episodes1994Babylon 5RobertsEpisode: "The War Prayer"1995JAGAmbassador SonsiriEpisode: "Deja Vu"1996ProfitAlex YeeEpisode: "Hero"Nash BridgesTommy LuckEpisode: "Promised Land"1999–2001The PJsJimmy Ho (voice)Main cast2001Static ShockMr. Kim (voice)Episode: "Tantrum" A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.2002–03Robbery Homicide DivisionRon LuMain cast2004–05Arrested DevelopmentLionel Ping6 episodes2005–12The CloserMike TaoMain cast2007BonesShi Jon ChenEpisode: "The Boneless Bride in the River"2011The SimpsonsChinese Agent (voice)Episode: "Homer the Father"2012–18Major CrimesMike TaoMain cast2019–21The ResidentYee AustinRecurring role2021MacGyverDahn NguyenEpisode: "Banh Bao + Sterno + Drill + Burner + Mason"2023Hello Tomorrow!WaltRecurring role2024Gremlins: The Wild BatchThe Lion (voice)Episode: "Always Bring a Toothpick"
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