Norman Yeung is a Canadian actor, writer, filmmaker and artist.
Acting
Yeung played the role of Kim Yong in Resident Evil: Afterlife, alongside Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Wentworth Miller, Boris Kodjoe and Kim Coates. The fourth installment in the Resident Evil film franchise, Resident Evil: Afterlife dominated the international box office for four weeks upon release in September, 2010, and remains the most commercially successful film of the franchise to date, having grossed $300,228,084. He describes his character Kim Yong as "simply human" and "a point of access for the audience.".
Yeung played the role of Eddie the Metal Dude in Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, appearing in 21 episodes as a Satanic agent provocateur to Todd (Alex House) and nemesis to Jimmy the Janitor (Jason Mewes). He describes his character Eddie as "a badass with luxurious hair who wants nothing but destruction." He reprised his role of Eddie in the animated feature film Todd and the Book of Pure Evil: The End of the End.
Other film and television roles include a disgruntled laborer in Frankie Drake Mysteries, an irresponsible aide in Murdoch Mysteries, a conniving gang leader in Rookie Blue, a guilt-ridden drama student in King, and a VJ in The Tracey Fragments, directed by Bruce McDonald and starring Elliot Page.
Yeung played the roles of Young Zhang Lin and Benny in Chimerica, a co-production between Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and Canadian Stage (January - April 2016). This production, directed by Chris Abraham, was the Canadian premiere of the Olivier Award-winning play by Lucy Kirkwood.
Yeung played the role of Hassan in The Kite Runner, a co-production between Theatre Calgary and Citadel Theatre (January - March 2013). This production, directed by Eric Rose, was the Canadian premiere of the celebrated, international bestseller by Khaled Hosseini, adapted for the stage by Matthew Spangler. This production was a box office and critical success, receiving favorable press including The Globe and Mail, Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal. Yeung's performance was "[P]articularly notable ... Yeung, as Hassan and then later as Hassans’ son, delivers a powerful, quiet performance..." (Calgary Herald); "...other compelling performances ... Norman Yeung wrenches hearts with his eager, honourable Hassan." (The Globe and Mail); "Conor Wylie and Norman Yeung, both young Vancouver artists, are especially affecting and soulful as young Amir and his best friend Hassan, the son of his father's servant. Their playfulness together, and Hassan's heartbreaking loyalty and stoicism even in the face of his friend's betrayal, linger powerfully in the mind." (Edmonton Journal).
Writing
Yeung's play Theory, about a film professor fighting the online terror of a mysterious student, had its world premiere at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto in 2018, and American premiere at Mosaic Theater in Washington, D.C., in 2019. It was nominated for the Carol Bolt Award in 2019, the Safe Words New Canadian Play Award in 2017, and won First Prize for the Herman Voaden National Playwriting Competition in 2015. Early productions were staged at Rumble Theatre's Tremors Festival in 2018, Alumnae Theatre's FireWorks Series in 2013, and SummerWorks Festival in 2010, where it received the National Theatre School of Canada/SummerWorks Award for Design (Camellia Koo). Theory is available as a podcast on CBC/PlayME and a book from Playwrights Canada Press.
Referring to hypocrisy found at every point of the political spectrum, Yeung has said: "That Theory has gained urgency and relevance since I wrote the first draft in 2009 is uncanny and alarming."