Stephen Park Recalls Racist Incident on Friends Set – “Nobody Spoke Up”

A Painful Memory From the Friends Set

Actor Stephen Park, who appeared in two episodes of the iconic sitcom Friends, recently opened up about a racist incident he witnessed on set in the 1990s. Speaking on the Pod Meets World podcast, Park described the experience as toxic and recalled a crew member using offensive language toward fellow actor James Hong.

The Shocking Incident

During the interview, Park recounted how an assistant director called Hong to set in an insensitive and racist manner.

“Where the f--- is the Oriental guy? Get the Oriental guy.”

Park was stunned by the comment and even more shocked that no one in the room reacted or spoke up against it.

“It was the kind of environment where this behavior was just business as usual in Hollywood in 1997.”

Taking Action and Facing Disappointment

Determined to stand against discrimination, Park reported the incident to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), expecting support. However, instead of addressing the issue directly, SAG advised him to write an article for the L.A. Times.

Feeling frustrated but hopeful that raising awareness could bring change, Park began drafting a statement about the racism Asian actors faced in Hollywood. The L.A. Times sent reporters to interview him, but they ultimately never published his story.

Going Viral Before “Viral” Existed

When mainstream media ignored his story, Park decided to take matters into his own hands. He shared his experience via email, and his letter quickly spread across the country. Many publications requested permission to reprint his statement, which helped shed light on discrimination in the industry.

Looking back, Park noted how his story went viral before the term ‘viral’ even existed.

A Bigger Problem in Hollywood

Park emphasized that this incident wasn’t just about one offensive comment on the Friends set. Instead, he saw it as part of a larger pattern of discrimination against Asian actors in Hollywood.

“If this was an isolated event, maybe I wouldn’t have felt the need to speak out. But this was just one example of many.”

He also pointed out how negative portrayals of Asians in media contribute to real-life discrimination. As hate crimes against Asian Americans increased, Park strongly believed that harmful stereotypes in the entertainment industry played a role in fueling these prejudices.

The Emotional Toll & Stepping Away From Acting

The experience deeply affected Park. His frustration with racism in Hollywood left him feeling trapped and hyperaware of discrimination, to the point where he struggled to see past it.

Feeling drained and uncertain about his future, he stepped away from acting for a time.

A Return to Hollywood

After taking a year-long hiatus, Park slowly made his way back into the industry. Over the years, he has appeared in several projects, including:

• The Mindy Project
• Ghosted
• Law & Order
• Asteroid City

His story serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges Asian actors have faced in Hollywood and the importance of speaking out against discrimination.