Byron Lawson plays Eddie Kim in this summer's blockbuster "SNAKES ON A PLANE" starring Samuel L. Jackson. Byron's character doesn't leave you guessing whether he is a bad guy or good guy in the opening scene of the movie. You have to see this intense action drama! Byron is the key assassin in the movie eventually receiving help from the snakes, on a plane.Byron Lawson plays Eddie Kim in this summer's blockbuster "SNAKES ON A PLANE" starring Samuel L. Jackson. Byron's character doesn't leave you guessing whether he is a bad guy or good guy in the opening scene of the movie. You have to see this intense action drama! Byron is the key assassin in the movie eventually receiving help from the snakes, on a plane. Asiance spoke with Byron on many things including his thoughts on the Asian American landscape and how Americans perceive Asian females much more differently than Asian males, but could it finally be changing? Byron's other roles include ABC's mini series "FALLEN" and Detective Lee in the series "KILLER INSTINCT".

ASIANCE: Tell us about your background.

Byron: I'm Chinese Canadian. I was born and raised in Vancouver. My real last name is actually Lawson. Everyone asks me if that's my real name. What I've been told is, remember back in the day when they screwed up everyone's last name when they came here? Well that's what I've been told happened. My grandma says it could've been Law? And then they added in son for son of Law. Both mom and dad are Chinese. My dad was born in Hong Kong but my mom was born in Vancouver.

I went to school in British Columbia. Growing up in my family, it was always, "Be a doctor, be a lawyer, and be a white collar professional". My brother became the dentist and I became the so called wildcard.

We were athletes though. My brother used his hockey scholarship to get through dentistry and I used it to get into marketing and party my ass off.

ASIANCE: How did they feel when you said you were pursuing acting?

Byron: They always thought I lived in a dream world. I followed in sync. I thought to myself. "Why am I living in a dream world? Who can ever make it as an actor?" Until I finally did it and booked a job and they finally saw me on TV. Then they backed off a bit and let me do my thing. Now my parents are huge cheerleaders. Initially it was really difficult. They told me it was impossible.

ASIANCE: Was that because you're Asian?

Byron: Well they always said, "Why don't you go to Hong Kong?" There are more Asian actors there. I didn't want to do that. There is a different type of film feel when you look at TV and Entertainment in Asia as opposed to here. I wanted to do it here. I always looked up to people who took a challenge head on. I've yet to see a breakthrough Asian actor hit it in a Western film, aside from the typical martial arts stuff.

For example Lucy Liu, I don't know if anyone has hit the level I want to hit. I personally think there should be an Asian doctor on ER or a lawyer/investigator on Law and Order because that is reality. If you go to any hospital, you are going to see an Asian doctor.

You are going to see those types of breakthrough characters with a lot of females, Lucy, Sandra and Kelly. They are going to be doing a lot of that. But there is a different feel I find with the North American audience and how they portray an Asian male as opposed to how they portray an Asian female. I get the impression that it's very different. Asian women in North America are looked at as being very exotic and I get the impression that the Asian male is not. I look around and I see some very exotic looking men. They are very handsome and stand out. I'm just starting to see it now and how people are becoming more accepting of that.

I thought Russell Wong was going to pop the door open but it didn't go. Now I'm wondering who it will be.

ASIANCE: Do you have any ideas who it will be?

Byron: It's not going to be anyone from Asia. There's one person who has the charisma to do it and it's Chow Yun-Fat (Replacement Killers, The Corruptor). That is a rare thing. He's not like Jackie Chan or Jet Li. He didn't come here based on Martial Arts. He came here on pure acting ability and his presence/charisma. And he's a wonderful person too.

It's going to have to be someone here in America that kicks those doors down. It will be someone who is liked by both the Asian and American audiences. When I say American, I mean Caucasian. Somebody has to be visual appealing to both types.

When you look at the demographics of it, there is a HUGE Asian population out there. There's a market there. Once they realize that it's just going to pop!

I grew up playing ice hockey.

ASIANCE: How did you get started in acting?

Byron: I was broke. I was working for my dad building houses. My friend Richard Leacock who is in the film industry, let me attempt to do what he was doing. I got a taste of what he was doing and basically started auditioning for commercials. I ended up getting a couple, thinking it was just standing in front of the camera and looking pretty. Then I went on some real auditions for real roles and I fell flat on my face. That's when I decided to study acting. This was all after college and I fell in love with it. I fell in love with the process of making yourself vulnerable and being real and playing. Then I started booking characters that were real acting gigs. I took a chance. In the family environment I always wanted to be the center of attention. It's nice to be able to say yes I am able to do what I love to do. Mind you there are many days when you are not working. It's all about the process of auditioning and taking meetings and whatnot. So when you book, it's a feeling you can't explain.

I was crying the very morning I was working with my idol Chow Yun-Fat. It was incredible. I was crying in the shower thinking, "I can't believe this is actually real!"

ASIANCE: What advice would you give to Asian Americans about acting?

Byron: Never ever assume what people think. Do what makes you feel good. You go into anything you do assuming, "They aren't going to like me because of..(whatever)" It might not be the color of your skin, but if you assume that, it's just going to take the opportunity away. So just go after what you really want to do. It's fun. It's a fun thing.

Struggling is a good thing. Through the struggle you grow anyway. You appreciate what you have once you get there. Everybody wants it instantly; they want to be a star, of course.. They all want to be working aside Leonard Di Caprio or Philip Seymour Hoffman. Everyone wants that except there is a process that takes you there. You just have to go for it.

ASIANCE: Tell us about your new movie "Snakes on a Plane"

Byron: Snakes on a Plane is exactly like the title. On board a flight over the Pacific Ocean, an assassin (I play), bent on killing a passenger who's a witness in protective custody, lets loose a crate full of deadly snakes. The movie is a total roller coaster ride, which deals with 2 phobias many people have Snakes & Planes. You'll just have to go see the movie to see how wild it is.

ASIANCE: So you got to work with Samuel L Jackson?

Byron: Sam is the FBI agent who is assigned to protect this kid. He's really nice. One of the calmest guys I've ever met. He's not intimidating at all. He golfs a lot!

ASIANCE: Did they want to cast and Asian actor for your role?

Byron: Well I was going to play a different character. Then they brought a bunch of actors to read for the lead villian yet again, which is the character I wanted. All I remember is that one of my good friends and I were going back in for at this meeting. When he came out he basically said, "Byron you better bring it! Bring it like you've never brought it before!" He actually wanted this other character. I went in and read for it and ended up getting it.

This character as far as I know was always named Eddie Kim. He was always Asian. But they never had him speak any other language. He was a mobster out of LA. I wouldn't say he was the token Asian. They wanted a mobster so they happened to go with the Asian mob. It is somewhat of a stereotypical character, an Asian mobster but they could've gone any way; Italian mob, Russian mob, etc.

They excitement this movie is getting is incredible. It's getting a lot of press right now.

ASIANCE: Who would you like to work with that you haven't already?

Byron: Philip Seymour Hoffman would be a dream come true. Sam Rockwell..Angelina Jolie and her present man right now, Brad Pitt. Of course I can't forget Charlize Theron and Emmanuelle Vaugier. It's also a huge desire to work with all my friends.

ASIANCE: What is up next?

Byron: Right now I'm working on an MOW (Movie of the week) called "Murder on Speck". It's a TV movie about a serial killer. I'm one of the investigators. This is a guy that was definitely supposed to be white but they cast me. My name is Detective Weston. He's one of the two detectives who is assigned to capturing the guy that is killing these people. It's the type of show you'll see with a lot of beautiful people in it. Brooke Burns is on it as well.

ASIANCE: Do you have a girlfriend?

Byron: I have a fiancé. I'm getting married in October. I've known my girlfriend for years and I've finally, finally decided to settle down. I couldn't be happier. My best man is a she (Emmanuelle Vaugier).

ASIANCE: Does your fiancé ever get jealous that you have a female best friend?

Byron: No. Not at all. She's one of my biggest cheerleaders and the most secure woman I've ever met. She's not in the film industry as well. I am a very, very lucky man!

ASIANCE: If you weren't acting you'd be?

Byron: I'd be an architect, designing homes, structures, things like that. Screw that I'd be a Rock Star!

ASIANCE: And what about your other hobbies?

Byron: I love sports cars. I have a Porsche, my cars and dirt biking. I'm a big motorcross fan, cars and gadgets. I dream about this motorcycle called a Confederate. The motorcycle you always see Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise riding around on, this hand built motorcycle. It's a cross between a crotch rocket and a Harley.

ASIANCE: Do you have any advice for Asian Americans?

Byron: Stay true to who you are. It seems like Asian culture is being washed away with the Western culture. Stay true to your culture. It's amazing how you feel when you know you're Asian and you stay Asian. Go after your dreams. I don't want to see anyone sell out! Know where you came from and don't lose track of that because it could just fade away and then there wouldn't be anymore Asian culture in America. That would be a very sad thing. It's a very simple thing, just be you. "Who I am is someone that lives life to the fullest and kicks ass, which inspires others to go for it!!!!!"

Snakes on a Plane premieres nationwide on August 18, 2006.

Photography: www.mitchellparsons.com
Men's Grooming: Ellen Pratt
Styling: Redia Soltis

L Nguygen is 1½ generation Vietnamese American. She loves to write on Asian celebrities who maintain their principles and do not get caught up in the Hollywood mainstream.

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