Bowen Yang has become the most-nominated Asian male performer in Emmy Awards history with his fourth acting nomination.
Yang, a cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, the Television Academy announced on Tuesday. It marks his fourth in that category and fifth total, including a 2019 nomination for writing.
The milestone underscores Yang’s growing influence in comedy and television, and highlights broader progress for Asian American representation in Hollywood. Sandra Oh remains the most-nominated Asian performer overall, with 14 career nominations.
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to air Sept. 14 on ABC.
Not taking anything away from Bowen Yang’s talent — and nothing against gay actors — but it’s telling that the most-nominated Asian male in Emmy history is gay. Asian women have long been more accepted by white media — often exoticized or paired with white leads — while straight Asian men remain nearly invisible unless they’re villains or comic relief (think Ken Jeong). It raises the question: does white media only make space for Asian men when they’re seen as non-threatening or feminized? Just something to think about.