Family owned the Republic Gardens Restaurant in Stapleton, Staten Island, New York.
Has 7 siblings.
Began his acting career during the 1970s performing in experimental and activist theatre in New York where he studied with Mako Iwamatsu, the Oscar and Tony-nominated godfather of Asian American theatre.
His first acting gig was in his junior high school drama club where he performed as Buffalo Bill in the musical "Annie Get Your Gun".
Attended JHS 49 (now Dreyfus Intermediate School) in Stapleton.
Attended PS 14 in Stapleton, Staten Island, New York.