Jon M. Chu

Director & actor · born 2 November 1979 · Palo Alto, California, USA

Jonathan Murray Chu (born November 2, 1979) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is known for directing the romantic comedy "Crazy Rich Asians" (2018) and the musical fantasy "Wicked" (2024), the former being one of the first films by a major Hollywood studio to feature a majority cast of Asian descent. For his direction for "Wicked," Chu won the National Board of Review Award for Best Director and Critics’ Choice Award for Best Director.

An alumnus of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, other films he has directed often include musical elements, including the dance films "Step Up 2: The Streets" (2008) and "Step Up 3D" (2010), the musicals "Jem and the Holograms" (2015) and "In the Heights" (2021), as well as the live concert films "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" (2011) and "Justin Bieber's Believe" (2013).

Where to start: In the Heights (2021).