Ben Wang | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
王璞存 | |||||||
 Wang in 2025 | |||||||
| Born | Wang Pucun (1997-09-21) September 21, 1997 Beijing, China | ||||||
| Citizenship | United States | ||||||
| Alma mater | New York University | ||||||
| Occupation | Actor | ||||||
| Years active | 2021–present | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Chinese | 王璞存 | ||||||
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| other Chinese name | |||||||
| Chinese | 王班 | ||||||
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Wang Pucun (Chinese: 王璞存; pinyin: Wáng Púcún;[1] born September 21, 1997[2]), known professionally as Ben Wang (Chinese: 王班; pinyin: Wáng Bān),[3] is a Chinese-born American actor. He is known for his role as Jin Wang in Disney+ series American Born Chinese and as Bo in Chang Can Dunk. In 2025, Wang starred in the film Karate Kid: Legends.[4]
Early life and education
Wang was born in Beijing, China.[5] His parents divorced when he was four years old which led to him and his mother immigrating to the United States when he was six.[6] Wang alternated between living with his mother and his grandparents throughout his childhood in Northfield, Minnesota. He graduated from Northfield High School in 2016.[7][8] Wang studied musical theater at New York University.[9]
Career
Wang's first major role came in an episode of MacGyver in 2021 as Eli Brown. In 2023, he played Bo in the Disney+ film Chang Can Dunk.[10] Wang also landed the lead role in the 2023 Disney+ sitcom American Born Chinese. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, he played the role of high school student Jin Wang.[11]
In February 2024, it was announced that Wang would play the lead role of Li Fong in Karate Kid: Legends alongside Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan.[4][12]
Personal life
Wang is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese. He is also proficient in martial arts such as karate, kenpo, kung fu (primarily wing chun), kumdo and taekwondo.[4]
Awards
Wang was honored with the Star of Tomorrow award at the CinemaCon 2025 Big Screen Achievement Awards ahead of the release of Karate Kid: Legends.[13]
Filmography
Film
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sex Appeal | Franklin | |
| 2023 | Chang Can Dunk | Bo | |
| Sight | Young Ming | ||
| Good Egg | Guy | ||
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Jacob Zheng | |
| 2025 | Karate Kid: Legends | Li Fong | |
| The Long Walk | Hank Olson | ||
| Balloon | Eric Chang | Short film | |
| 2026 | Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass † | Completed | |
| The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping † | Wyatt Callow | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MacGyver | Eli Brown | Episode: "Banh Bao + Sterno + Drill + Burner + Mason" |
| 2021 | Launchpad | Gang | Episode: "Dinner Is Served" |
| 2021 | The Last O.G. | Oliver | Episode: "Smush" |
| 2022 | Search Party | Intern | Episode: "Acts of the Apostles" |
| 2023 | American Born Chinese | Jin Wang | 8 episodes |
| 2024 | Bob's Burgers | Sam (voice) | 2 episodes |
References
- ^ "新版《龍威小子》預告首曝光 《西遊ABC》王璞存做接班人 成龍賴夫馬奇奧聯手炮製功夫之王 - 20241020 - 娛樂". 明報新聞網 - 每日明報 daily news (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ Geary, K. and Domish, H. ‘This is Ben Wang.’, Apple Podcasts. Available at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-ben-wang/id1645934609?i=1000583655092 (Accessed: 24 October 2022).
- ^ 腾讯网 (19 May 2025). "成龙、王班主演电影《功夫梦：融合之道》中国内地官宣定档 成龙化身白发师父_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Kit, Borys (12 February 2024). "'Karate Kid' Found: 'American Born Chinese' Actor Ben Wang Nabs Lead in Sony Movie (Exclusive)".
- ^ Late Night with Seth Meyers (4 June 2025). Ben Wang Reveals How Watching an Unhealthy Amount of Television Helped Him Learn English. Retrieved 29 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Zhan, Jennifer (31 May 2023). "American Born Chinese's Ben Wang Gets the EEAAO Comparisons". Vulture.
- ^ Thompson, Pamela (30 October 2024). "'Karate Kid' actor Ben Wang visits old stomping grounds in Northfield". southernminn.com. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Ben Wang, Lead Actor In Karate Kid: Legends, Returns To Northfield to Talk With Students & Community". KYMN Radio. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ Justin, Neal (25 May 2023). "Northfield's Ben Wang stars with Michelle Yeoh in Disney's 'American Born Chinese'". www.startribune.com.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (4 November 2021). "'Chang Can Dunk': Dexter Darden & Ben Wang Join Disney Studios Feature".
- ^ "Timid Magazine | Ben Wang". www.timidmag.com.
- ^ Gajewski, Ryan (1 April 2025). "'Karate Kid: Legends' Stars Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang Reveal Emotional Footage". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (20 March 2025). "Channing Tatum, Lindsay Lohan and Ana de Armas Set for Honors at Big Screen Achievement Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
External links
- Ben Wang at IMDb
