Ben Wang | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
王璞存 | |||||||
 Wang in 2025 | |||||||
| Born | Wang Pucun (1997-09-21) September 21, 1997 Beijing, China | ||||||
| Citizenship | United States | ||||||
| Alma mater | New York University | ||||||
| Occupation | Actor | ||||||
| Years active | 2021–present | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Chinese | 王璞存 | ||||||
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| other Chinese name | |||||||
| Chinese | 王班 | ||||||
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Wang Pucun (Chinese: 王璞存; pinyin: Wáng Púcún;1 born September 21, 19972), known professionally as Ben Wang (Chinese: 王班; pinyin: Wáng Bān),3 is an American actor. He is known for his role as Jin Wang in Disney+ series American Born Chinese and as Bo in Chang Can Dunk. In 2025, Wang starred in the film Karate Kid: Legends.4
Early life and education
Wang was born in Beijing, China.5 His parents divorced when he was four years old which led to him and his mother immigrating to the United States when he was six.6 Wang alternated between living with his mother and his grandparents throughout his childhood in Northfield, Minnesota. He graduated from Northfield High School in 2016.78 Wang studied musical theater at New York University.9
Career
Wang's first major role came in an episode of MacGyver in 2021 as Eli Brown. In 2023, he played Bo in the Disney+ film Chang Can Dunk.10 Wang also landed the lead role in the 2023 Disney+ sitcom American Born Chinese. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, he played the role of high school student Jin Wang.11
In February 2024, it was announced that Wang would play the lead role of Li Fong in Karate Kid: Legends alongside Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan.412
Personal life
Wang is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese. He is also proficient in martial arts such as karate, kenpo, kung fu (primarily wing chun), kumdo and taekwondo.4
Awards
Wang was honored with the Star of Tomorrow award at the CinemaCon 2025 Big Screen Achievement Awards ahead of the release of Karate Kid: Legends.13
Filmography
Film
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sex Appeal | Franklin | |
| 2023 | Chang Can Dunk | Bo | |
| Sight | Young Ming | ||
| Good Egg | Guy | ||
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Jacob Zheng | |
| 2025 | Karate Kid: Legends | Li Fong | |
| The Long Walk | Hank Olson | ||
| Balloon | Eric Chang | Short film | |
| 2026 | Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass | Caleb | |
| Brian † | Brian | Post-production | |
| The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping † | Wyatt Callow | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MacGyver | Eli Brown | Episode: "Banh Bao + Sterno + Drill + Burner + Mason" |
| 2021 | Launchpad | Gang | Episode: "Dinner Is Served" |
| 2021 | The Last O.G. | Oliver | Episode: "Smush" |
| 2022 | Search Party | Intern | Episode: "Acts of the Apostles" |
| 2023 | American Born Chinese | Jin Wang | 8 episodes |
| 2024 | Bob's Burgers | Sam (voice) | 2 episodes |
References
References
- "新版《龍威小子》預告首曝光 《西遊ABC》王璞存做接班人 成龍賴夫馬奇奧聯手炮製功夫之王 - 20241020 - 娛樂". 明報新聞網 - 每日明報 daily news (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- Geary, K. and Domish, H. ‘This is Ben Wang.’, Apple Podcasts. Available at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-ben-wang/id1645934609?i=1000583655092 (Accessed: 24 October 2022).
- 腾讯网 (19 May 2025). "成龙、王班主演电影《功夫梦：融合之道》中国内地官宣定档 成龙化身白发师父_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- Kit, Borys (12 February 2024). "'Karate Kid' Found: 'American Born Chinese' Actor Ben Wang Nabs Lead in Sony Movie (Exclusive)".
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (4 June 2025). Ben Wang Reveals How Watching an Unhealthy Amount of Television Helped Him Learn English. Retrieved 29 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- Zhan, Jennifer (31 May 2023). "American Born Chinese's Ben Wang Gets the EEAAO Comparisons". Vulture.
- Thompson, Pamela (30 October 2024). "'Karate Kid' actor Ben Wang visits old stomping grounds in Northfield". southernminn.com. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- "Ben Wang, Lead Actor In Karate Kid: Legends, Returns To Northfield to Talk With Students & Community". KYMN Radio. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- Justin, Neal (25 May 2023). "Northfield's Ben Wang stars with Michelle Yeoh in Disney's 'American Born Chinese'". www.startribune.com.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (4 November 2021). "'Chang Can Dunk': Dexter Darden & Ben Wang Join Disney Studios Feature".
- "Timid Magazine | Ben Wang". www.timidmag.com.
- Gajewski, Ryan (1 April 2025). "'Karate Kid: Legends' Stars Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang Reveal Emotional Footage". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- Gardner, Chris (20 March 2025). "Channing Tatum, Lindsay Lohan and Ana de Armas Set for Honors at Big Screen Achievement Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 May 2025.