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Brian Tee

Brian Tee

Actor, also producer · Born March 15, 1977 (49) · Okinawa, Japan

Independent Spirit Award nominee

Brian Tee (born Jae-Beom Takata) is a Japanese-born American actor. At the age of two, he and his family moved from Japan to Hacienda Heights, CA. He is most known for his starring role as Dr. Ethan Choi on NBC's Chicago Med and for his role as D.K. Takashi in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. In James Mangold's The Wolverine (2013), starring Hugh Jackman, Tee played Noburo Mori, a sadistic minister of justice arranged to marry the daughter of the Yakuza Boss. He played Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, the 2016 sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 15, 1977 (49)
From
Okinawa, Japan
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
48 on MovieCove · 60 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 31% in 30 days

What are Brian Tee's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
31%
Self
27%
Bonds
25%
Society
7%
Survival
7%
Power
3%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 1 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 4 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 3 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 2 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 4 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 7 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 7
Mentor
2 of 7
Shadow
2 of 7
Ally
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
5
Melancholic
4
Hopeful
3
Thrilling
2
Bittersweet
2
Other
10

How their films linger

Feel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Brian Tee's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 39 of their 48 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Brian Tee's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

60 credits, 48 with a MovieCove page.

  • Enough (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Director · as Brian Takakura

  • Get Jiro!(2026)

    Show as Jiro (voice)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • A House of Dynamite(2025)

    as SAIC Ken Cho

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Expats(2023)

    Show 6 episodes · as Clarke

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Reacher(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · as Xavier Quinn

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Beautiful Ones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Casper

  • Roswell FM (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Dwayne Archimedes

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows(2016)

    as Shredder

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Lucifer(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Ben Rogers

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Med(2015)

    Show 131 episodes · Director · as Dr. Ethan Choi

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Zoo(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Philip Weber

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Jurassic World(2015)

    as Hamada

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • One Christmas Eve(2014)

    as Dr. Chen

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Legends(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Chang

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • No Tears for the Dead(2014)

    as Charles

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Gabby Douglas Story(2014)

    as Liang Chow

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Chicago P.D.(2014)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ethan Choi · as Jesse Kong

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Wedding Palace(2013)

    Producer · as Jason

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Toshiro Mori

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Wolverine(2013)

    as Noburo Mori

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Chicago Fire(2012)

    Show 7 episodes · as Ethan Choi

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Shake It Up: Made in Japan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Mr. Itou

  • Baby Daddy(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Tommy Kwan

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Grimm(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as Akira Kimura

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Mortal Kombat: Legacy(2011)

    Show 4 episodes · as Liu Kang

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • The Historian Paradox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Avith Kang

  • Shake It Up(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Itou

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all shows

  • Chain Letter(2010)

    as Brian Yee

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Hawaii Five-0(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Hideaki Kuroda

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Sym-Bionic Titan(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Mike Chan (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Dark Blue(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Kang

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Deadland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Jax

  • Lie to Me(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Bodyguard (Han Yong-Dae)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Crash(2008)

    Show 13 episodes · as Eddie Choi

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Burn Notice(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Takeda

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Finishing the Game(2007)

    as Mac Chang

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Jericho(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Cheung

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift(2006)

    as D.K.

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • All In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Rosenbloom Player 2

  • The Unit(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Rebel Leader

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Fun with Dick and Jane(2005)

    as Sushi Chef

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Ken Nakamura

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Wanted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Jin-Lee Park

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Andy Meltzer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Zoey 101(2005)

    Show 4 episodes · as Kazu

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Tiger Cruise(2004)

    as MA2 Chan

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Entourage(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Fukijama Crew Member

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation(2004)

    as Cpl. Thom Kobe

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Cracking Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Frat Guy

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Kirk

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Austin Powers in Goldmember(2002)

    as Japanese Pedestrian

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as James Lu

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • We Were Soldiers(2002)

    as Pfc. Jimmy Nakayama

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Chronicle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Neo

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Denny Ocampo

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Invisible Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Mallon

  • What Planet Are You From?(2000)

    as Alien (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Family Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as DEA Agent

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Intern

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Pretender(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Male Agent

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 60 titles, 59 of them dated from 1996 to 2026; peak year 2014.

Biggest box office

The Wolverine (2013)

$415M worldwide

Highest rated

The Gabby Douglas Story (2014)

Midcredits 80th

Most popular right now

Chicago Med (2015)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19962026

Peak 2014 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting60 of 60: 58 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score71stDirecting2 of 60: 0 only directing, 2 with another role

By decade

1990s3 · acting2000s27 · acting2010s25 · 25 acting · 1 crew2020s4 · 4 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
0010

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

Nominated for an Independent Spirit Award in 2025, Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Brian Tee's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 17; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 61st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

86thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 48 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 48 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor, producer

Wedding Palace (2013)

77th percentile spread · 24% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Reacher (2022)

Midcredits 89th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 33. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Brian Tee's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 5 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles28–53 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 59 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Brian Tee work with?

People who share at least 2 of Brian Tee's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; S. Epatha Merkerson shares the most, 2.

Actors

Producers