Star Biography

Harry Shum Jr. has carved out one of Hollywood's most distinctive multihyphenate careers, evolving from breakout performer to producer, author and creative entrepreneur. Equally at home anchoring a primetime network drama, appearing in an Academy Award®-winning independent film, headlining global television releases and developing original projects across publishing and audio, Shum has built a career defined by versatility and an instinct for culturally resonant storytelling.

Shum currently stars as Dr. Benson Blue Kwan on ABC's long-running, Emmy® Award-winning drama "Grey's Anatomy." Introduced as one of the new surgical interns in Season 20, he quickly became the breakout character, earning praise for his wit and vulnerability. Now in production on Season 23, Shum continues his run on one of television's most-enduring and beloved franchises.

Most recently, he appeared as Andy in Netflix's hit film "Voicemails for Isabelle," opposite Nick Robinson and Zoey Deutch. Written and directed by Leah McKendrick, the film explores themes of grief and healing. Released globally in June 2026, the film became a breakout streaming success, climbing to the No.1 spot on Netflix's English global chart following strong audience word of mouth and critical praise.

Before establishing himself as a respected actor, Shum earned international recognition as one of the entertainment industry's most accomplished dancers. A sought-after performer and choreographer, he toured and performed with some of the world's biggest recording artists, while appearing in numerous high-profile live performances, music videos and commercials. His dynamic style led to his breakout role in "Step Up 2: The Streets" before introducing him to a global audience as Mike Chang on Fox's "Glee," where his athleticism and versatility helped redefine the role of dance in network television. He later expanded his creative influence by starring in, producing and co-choreographing Jon M. Chu's groundbreaking digital series "The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers." This innovative project blended cinematic storytelling with elite dance performance. The series premiered on Hulu in July 2010.

Committed to meaningful community engagement, Shum supports organizations dedicated to equity in education and children's literacy, including The Conscious Kid and its Anti-Racist Children's Book Education Fund, helping to promote inclusive storytelling and healthy racial identity development for young readers. In 2024, Shum expanded into children's publishing with the release of "Martee Dares to Dance" (Gloo Books), co-authored with his wife, actress Shelby Rabara. Inspired by their shared passion for movement and creativity, the picture book follows a young boy who rediscovers the confidence to express himself through dance after forming an unexpected friendship with a Martian. The book celebrates individuality, courage and creative expression while reflecting the couple's commitment to inspiring young readers.

His additional work includes Warner Bros. landmark global hit "Crazy Rich Asians" and the award-winning film "Everything Everywhere All at Once," which premiered at SXSW. It became one of the most celebrated independent releases in recent history, earning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, along with top honors from the Screen Actors Guild, Critics Choice Awards, Independent Spirit Awards and numerous international critics' organizations. Shum also appeared in the Netflix global hit "Love Hard," the psychological thriller "Broadcast Signal Intrusion," in Universal Pictures' romantic drama "All My Life" and Freeform's hit fantasy series "Shadowhunters," where his portrayal of Magnus Bane earned him the 2018 People's Choice Award for Male TV Star.

Expanding into audio storytelling, Shum starred in and executive produced Realm's scripted thriller podcast "Echo Park." The series was recognized as one of Apple's Top Podcasts of 2022 and received an iHeartPodcast Award nomination for Best Fiction Podcast, demonstrating his continued commitment to innovative, cross-platform storytelling.

Born in San José, Costa Rica, and raised in both Northern and Southern California, Shum began dancing in high school before discovering acting, eventually forging a career that bridges commercial success with critically acclaimed performances. Whether leading a network drama, appearing in award-winning films, producing original content, or creating stories for children, Shum continues to evolve as a multifaceted artist whose work reflects both creative ambition and cultural impact.