Norman Yeung

Norman works in film, television, theatre, and visual arts. A formally trained actor, he is skilled both on camera and on stage. He is also a playwright and screenwriter. Norman played the role of Kim Yong in Resident Evil: Afterlife, alongside Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Wentworth Miller, Boris Kodjoe and Kim Coates. The fourth installment in the Resident Evil film franchise, Resident Evil: Afterlife dominated the international box office for four weeks upon release and remains the most commercially successful film of the franchise to date, having grossed $296,221,663. He describes his character Kim Yong as "simply human" and "a point of access for the audience." He played the role of Eddie the Metal Dude in Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, appearing in 21 episodes as a Satanic agent provocateur to Todd (Alex House) and nemesis to Jimmy the Janitor (Jason Mewes). He describes his character Eddie as "a badass with luxurious hair who wants nothing but destruction." Other film and television roles include a rockabilly gangster in Filth City, a conniving gang leader in Rookie Blue, a guilt-ridden drama student in King, and a VJ in The Tracey Fragments, directed by Bruce McDonald and starring Ellen Page. On stage, Norman played the roles of Young Zhang Lin and Benny in Chimerica, a co-production between Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and Canadian Stage. This production, directed by Chris Abraham, was the Canadian premiere of the Olivier Award-winning play by Lucy Kirkwood. He played the role of Hassan in The Kite Runner, a co-production between Theatre Calgary and Citadel Theatre. This Canadian premiere of the celebrated, international bestseller by Khaled Hosseini was a box office and critical success, receiving favorable press including The Globe and Mail, Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal. Norman's performance was "[P]articularly notable ... Yeung, as Hassan and then later as Hassans' son, delivers a powerful, quiet performance..." (Calgary Herald); "...other compelling performances ... Norman Yeung wrenches hearts with his eager, honourable Hassan." (The Globe and Mail); "Conor Wylie and Norman Yeung, both young Vancouver artists, are especially affecting and soulful as young Amir and his best friend Hassan, the son of his father's servant. Their playfulness together, and Hassan's heartbreaking loyalty and stoicism even in the face of his friend's betrayal, linger powerfully in the mind." (Edmonton Journal). An award-winning writer, Norman's play Theory, about a film professor being harassed on the Internet by a mysterious student, won First Prize for the Herman Voaden National Playwriting Competition. It was presented at SummerWorks Theatre Festival in Toronto, where it received the National Theatre School of Canada/SummerWorks Award for Design. The play is described by Torontoist as: "Theory pulls no punches in exploring the dubious parameters of art and communication ... Norman Yeung's aggressively intellectual script ... promises to fuel animated discussions long after you've left the theatre." He is adapting the play into a feature film. His first full-length play Pu-Erh, about how language unites and divides an immigrant family, premiered at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto. It was nominated for four Dora Mavor Moore Awards, including Outstanding New Play. It was also a finalist for the Herman Voaden National Playwriting Competition. His play Deirdre Dear premiered at the Neil LaBute New Theatre Festival in St. Louis, Missouri, presented alongside the premiere of LaBute's "Kandahar". His post-apocalyptic opera Black Blood (Norman Yeung, librettist; Christiaan Venter, composer), about victims in a war over resources, premiered at Tapestry New Opera Showcase in Toronto. Norman has written and directed short films that include Anne Darling, Marnie Love, Hello Faye, and Light 01. His films have screened at international film festivals including Calgary International Film Festival, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, The Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, on Movieola Channel, Mini Movie International Channel (Europe), and on Air Canada. Norman grew up in Vancouver and lives in Los Angeles and Toronto.