Taylor Takahashi, a basketball player turned actor, has generated hype since starring in Eddie Huang's directorial debut, Boogie, released March 5.

Takahashi first met TV chef Huang playing recreational basketball in Monterey Park, California, which led to them bonding over a shared passion for the sport as well as cooking. In a surprising move, Huang ultimately cast him as the lead in Boogie, a coming-of-age film about a Chinese-American high school basketball star. In various interviews, Takahashi has stated he'd never previously considered a career in entertainment, however, his acting debut has earned him considerable praise for his 'moving' performance, and he's since been featured in several leading publications as a promising new face in the film industry.