Jon M. Chu

Jon M. Chu, born Jonathan Murray Chu on November 2, 1979 in Palo Alto, California, is an accomplished American film director, producer, and screenwriter. Notably, he gained significant prominence for directing 2018's Crazy Rich Asians, one of the first films by a major Hollywood studio to feature a majority cast of Asian descent in a modern setting since The Joy Luck Club in 1993. Apart from this, Chu is celebrated for directing the film adaptation of the stage musical Wicked, scheduled to be released in 2024. His films often incorporate musical elements, seen vividly in the dance films Step Up 2: The Streets (2008) and Step Up 3D (2010), and musicals Jem and the Holograms (2015) and In the Heights (2021). Furthermore, he has also directed live concert films, including Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011) and Justin Bieber's Believe (2013).

Born into an established household, Chu is the youngest of five children. His parents, Ruth Chu and Lawrence Chu, are originally from Taiwan and Sichuan, China, respectively, and own the popular restaurant Chef Chu's. Chu's interest in cinematic arts was evident from an early age; he began making home movies starring his siblings after receiving a video camera from his mother in fifth grade. His official journey into film began after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film and television production from the University of Southern California in 2003. Following graduation, his career took off with significant achievements, including winning the Princess Grace Award, the Kodak Student Filmmaker Award, and the prestigious Jack Nicholson directing award. Chu also directed Crazy Rich Asians, which became a major hit and procured a sequel due to its immense success. Besides his illustrious professional career, Chu's personal life is filled with joy, being a father of five children and husband to graphic designer Kristin Hodge.