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Friends Guest Star Accuses Sitcom of Racism in Shocking Interview

BBG News

A performer from Friends vehemently condemned the allegedly harmful atmosphere he claimed existed during the filming of the popular sitcom.

On separate occasions in both 1996 and 1997, Stephen Park made appearances on a renowned television program, portraying distinct characters on each episode.

In the year 1999, he wrote a widely-discussed open missive, where he voiced criticisms about how Asian Americans were represented in media, and also shared that he had endured an “extremely distressing experience” while working as a guest star on one of television’s most popular shows.

In a recent interview, the Korean-American actor acknowledged that his past comments were indeed about the popular TV show “Friends.” This has long been speculated by many fans.

Park asserted that he overheard an assistant director calling out another Asian American actor by saying, ‘Could you please find the Eastern actor for me? I need the Eastern actor here immediately.’

He mentioned that “no one seemed inclined to change this or comment on it,” as he conversed with Danielle Fishel and her fellow hosts during their podcast, Pod Meets World.

At that point in time, I found myself in an unhealthy or harmful atmosphere, as Park explained, going on to recount alleged racist comments made by a staff member.

In a different scenario, it’s stated that James Hong, who was featured in the same episode, was reportedly summoned to the set and said something along the lines of: “Where is the Asian actor? Bring the Asian actor here,” according to the actor’s claim.

After that incident, I reached out to the Screen Actors Guild and was advised to compose an article for the Los Angeles Times. This suggestion struck me as plausible, so I said to myself, “Hmm, that could work.

Drawing inspiration from the film Jerry Maguire, where the protagonist penned a mission statement, Park composed a similar declaration of his own.

As stated by Park, the event he recounted from the Friends set in 1997 seemed to be typical of Hollywood at that time, perhaps even considered ordinary. It appeared no one deemed it necessary to challenge this behavior or voice any concerns about it. In essence, such actions were presumably accepted as normal.

As a diligent supporter, I assert that I forwarded my declaration to The Los Angeles Times, who initiated an interview with me; however, neither the interview nor the letter was published by them.

In the initial stages of the internet, he opted to disseminate the message to his email subscribers, encouraging them to pass it on if they found the movie appealing.

He mentioned that within a week, responses started pouring in from various parts of the country, with publications seeking permission to replicate it. As a result, it became popular before the term “viral” had even been coined.

Instead of explicitly mentioning “Friends,” he shared that he had acted as a guest star on one of the most popular TV series.

‘I found it very difficult working with those associated with this production. Lack of kindness, consideration, and a racial issue that occurred on set compelled me to share my concerns publicly.’

He asserted that during our collaboration, some crucial individuals from the set failed to extend basic courtesies by introducing themselves, instead fostering an atmosphere marked by fear and insecurity.

For nearly an entire year on the show, one production assistant shared that not a single cast member had acknowledged or greeted him.

The defendant also claimed that an assistant director, in a heated outburst, summoned an Asian-American actor to the set via a walkie-talkie using these words: “I can’t waste time on this! Who is Hoshi, Toshi, or whatever his name is? Bring the oriental actor!” Regrettably, he failed to acknowledge the actor’s name, a 40-year veteran in the industry.

In a recent interview, he revealed that just prior to his son’s birth in 2000, he chose to stop acting because he had become extremely conscious of race and enraged. He was viewing everything through a racial perspective, and he felt suffocated by the lack of freedom.

In a different setting, the individual conveyed this: ‘I experienced no sense of liberty, lacked clarity about my future actions, yet impulsively chose to leave and publicly declared: “I am retiring from acting.”‘

After spending approximately a year as a home-based father, he was encouraged to return to the entertainment industry by being given an opportunity for an audition, and he gradually regained traction in Hollywood.

Since then, Park has consistently appeared in various roles, including spots on television series such as The Mindy Project and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as films like the latest works by Wes Anderson, namely The French Dispatch and Asteroid City.

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2025-03-06 22:07

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