Artist Spotlight: Joel de la Fuente
SOMA Celebrates Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month and AAPI Artists!
Joel de la Fuente – Professional International Actor: Stage, Screen, Television. Writer/Author.
Joel de la Fuente, Photo by Harold Julian.
Joel de la Fuente, Photo by Harold Julian.
Born in New Hartford, New York, Joel de la Fuente is a well-known and talented New York-based professional actor who transitions from stage to screen at the drop of a hat and back again. Joel met his wife Melissa during Shakespeare in the Park, when he and her best friend were in the ensemble of, “All’s Well That Ends Well” and they started dating the following summer when they had all returned to the park. A Shakespeare fan in general, Joel says about meeting his future wife, “So that is one other reason I love Shakespeare!”
They later worked together on the set of the futuristic Sci-Fi Fox television series, “Space: Above and Beyond,” where he first gained recognition for his role as 1st Lieutenant Paul Wang. He was a series regular; she was a guest star playing a romantic interest for his character.
Joel and Melissa call Maplewood, New Jersey home and have a full house with two dogs, and two amazing daughters, Elena and Tallulah. Family life is important to Joel and he works hard to balance his time between his career and his family — with someone as busy as Joel that can be quite a challenge. Joel has worked all over the world and collaborated with some of the most celebrated theater artists on three continents. Joel has performed in Vienna, London, Rome and Paris. He has shared the stage with opera singers, modern dancers, and Chinese Kunqu Masters, and has been directed by such luminaries as Peter Sellars, Liviu Ciulei, and Michael Mayer.
“I love living in a small, pretty community that aspires towards diversity and inclusion. I love the space and nature that we could not have in New York. I deeply appreciate the artistic community that has flocked to Maplewood over the years. It’s a place that I am proud to call home and the place we raised our children!”
Joel de la Fuente as Lt. Paul Wang in “Space: Above and Beyond” (1995).
Joel is best known for his roles on two Emmy Award-winning original series: as Dr. Johann Pryce, in Netflix’s “Hemlock Grove,” and in “The Man in the High Castle” as Chief Inspector Takeshi Kido on Amazon. “Hemlock Grove” is a thriller where secrets in a small Pennsylvania town are a part of daily life, and the darkest evils hide in plain sight. “The Man in the High Castle” based on the novel by Philip K. Dick takes a look at what the world might be like 15 years after the end of World War II, had the outcome of the war turned out differently. In this chilling dystopian alternate dimension, the Axis of Power — Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany rule over the majority of the United States.
“The Man in the High Castle” Promotional Image, © Amazon-Studios.
“Hemlock Grove,” Netflix Original Series Promotional Piece, © Netflix.
Joel de la Fuente (front) in the Amazon Original Series, “The Man of the High Castle.”
Hiro Kanagawa as Taishi Okamura and Joel de la Fuente as Inspector Takeshi Kido in The Road Less Traveled, “The Man in the High Castle” (2016). © Amazon-Studios.
Famke Janssen and Joel de la Fuente in “Hemlock Grove “ (2013), A Place to Fall.
Photo by Steve Wilkie/Netflix - © 2015 Netflix.
Joel de la Fuente as Dr. Johann Pryce, Netflix Original Series, “Hemlock Grove” © Netflix.
American Hero who fought for Human Rights., Gordon Hirabayashi who after his death became a 2012 Recipient of the Metal of Freedom from President Obama for his principled stand against Japanese-internment and contributions to the USA . Photo by Sharon Maeda, 1938. Courtesy of the Wing Luke Museum.
“These extraordinary honorees come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our Nation. They’ve challenged us, they’ve inspired us, and they’ve made the world a better place.”
The flip side of the cold, calculating bad guy Inspector Kido is real-life American hero Gordon Hirabayashi who fought against the removal and mass incarceration of Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in World War II.
The award-winning “Hold These Truths,” by playwright Jeanne Sakata and directed by Lisa Rothe, tells the true story of Gordon Hirabayashi, a Japanese American who passionately defends his Constitutional and human rights against an unexpected adversary: his own country.
Spanning over a 50 year period, the story begins with Gordon as a young student fighting against Japanese internment; to a relocation camp during World War II; then all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court; and more than 40 years later, in 1987, his conviction of a curfew violation was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Gordon Hirobayashi was finally exonerated.
“His challenge that went to the U.S. Supreme Court called a lot of attention to the human rights violations and dubious actions of the U.S. military during a very terrible time. Not just for the United States, but Canada as well,” Joel told Vancouver Presents.
Gordon Hirabayashi obtained his doctoral degree in sociology and became a professor. After his death in 2012, President Obama presented the Presidential Metal of Freedom to his family for Gordon’s principled stand against Japanese-American internment and his lasting contribution to the United States.
Joel de la Fuente in “Hold These Truths.” Photo by Kevin Berne.
Joel de la Fuente in “Hold These Truths.” Photo by Kevin Berne.
“A play where one man’s singular story, so full of heart and heartbreak, can speak to the struggles of an entire nation.”
Back Stage Pass with Lia Chang. Hold These Truths‘ star Joel de la Fuente talks about the challenges of playing 30+ characters and the impact playing Gordon Hirabayashi has had on him.
Joel’s most rewarding stage role has been portraying Gordon Hirabayashi in the highly acclaimed one-person show, “Hold These Truths,” for eight years in more than a dozen venues all over the country. Over the course of 90 minutes, Joel, as a multifaceted solo artist, brings 35 characters to life with wit, warmth and humor in an otherwise dark saga that represents a shameful decision and chapter in US history — which up until recently was unknown to most.
“Gordon’s story is a quintessential American story. All Americans should know about this hero.” Joel tells Playbill, “The fact that he is an American who looks like me as a fellow Asian American inspires me.” Playbill notes, Joel’s heartfelt performance has been described by critics as a “tour de force,” and a “master class in acting.” The Mercury News hailed Joel’s performance as “flawlessly focused and dazzlingly versatile.” Joel’s performance in “Hold These Truths” garnered him Drama Desk Award nomination for best solo performance.
Joel de la Fuente in “Hold These Truths.” Photo by Kevin Berne.
Joel de la Fuente in “Hold These Truths.” Photo by Kevin Berne.
In the dressing room with Joel de la Fuente, “Hold These Truths” New York 2012. Joel is holding a photo of Esther Schmoe and Gordon Hirabayashi on their wedding day. Photo by Lia Chang.
“We must continue to tell these stories, because otherwise we are at great risk of repeating them. It is sad to say, but the play has never been more relevant. It speaks not just of the past, but very much of our present.”
Recap Video of The Man in the High Castle.
Joel de la Fuente discusses controversial episode from “Madam Secretary” and Seeing More Filipinos in Roles in Hollywood with Balitang America.
Joel’s portrayal of a fictional President of the Philippines, Datu Andrada in the CBS Drama, Break in Diplomacy episode of “Madam Secretary,” created much controversy when he gropes, US Secretary of State character, Elizabeth McCord, played by Tea Leoni, who in response punches him. The Philippine government believed the scene was disrespectful and tarnishes their long-standing advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality. Joel commented to Asian Journal, “There was quite a hullaballoo when the fictional President Andrada first appeared on “Madam Secretary,” but the truth is, the character was based more on another particular president than the President of the Philippines.”
Joel de la Fuente as President of the Philippines, Datu Andrada with Tea Leoni as Elizabeth McCord, US Secretary of State in CBS Drama, “Madam Secretary” - Break in Diplomacy.
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” by Dick Wolf for NBC.
On television, Joel spent ten seasons appearing as TARU technician Ruben Morales in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He had recurring roles on various series, including “Manifest,” “Sidney Lumet’s,” “100 Centre Street,” “E.R.,” and Steven Spielberg’s “High Incident.” Guest spots include appearances on “New Amsterdam,” “The Blacklist,” “Blue Bloods,” “Limitless,” “Game of Silence,” and “Bull.” Films include: “Brief Reunion,” “Personal Velocity” (Sundance Grand Jury Winner), “The Adjustment Bureau,” “The Happening,” “Return to Paradise,” and “Red Sparrow,” starring Jennifer Lawrence, among others.
Joel’s extensive theatrical experience includes appearances with the Ma-Yi Theater at the Public, Williamstown Theater Festival, National Asian American Theater as Iago in Shakespeare's Othello, New York Shakespeare Festival, Vineyard Theater, La Jolla Playhouse and international appearances - including at London's Barbican Theater - as Liu Meng Mei in “The Peony Pavilion.” Joel has appeared in several productions with the National Asian American Theater Company and in 2005 served as its Artistic Associate, appearing in the World Premiere of “Cowboy v. Samurai” and in the title role of the critically acclaimed production of Chekhov’s “Ivanov.” Joel’s last appearance with NAATCO was in the Caryl Churchill play, “a number,” alongside Obie-award winner James Saito.
As a writer, Joel’s essay on his experiences as an Asian American actor was published in Pyong Gap Min’s Struggle for Ethnic Identity, which has become a staple in Asian American studies programs all over the country. He also co-wrote Life Document 2: Identity, which won the Columbia Students Award for Best Film in 2002.
Book Cover, Struggle for Ethnic Identity - Narratives by Asian American Professionals by Pyong Gap Min, edited by Rose Kim.
Joel de la Fuente, Photo by Harold Julian.
Joel is a proponent for diversity in the arts, “The only way this problem gets solved is systemic. We have to have people in all facets of our industry helping to tell stories together. And that means a diverse group of people…Namely, women and namely, people of color”(Parade). Joel wonders about what he can do in small, day-to-day ways that can serve others, be it in a scene or as a citizen. Joel supports the #StopAsianHate Movement which has become essential throughout the pandemic as hate crimes among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have increased significantly.
“Build and maintain a community of supportive, like-minded artists. Learn how to create your own work. Treat your career choice like a marathon, not a sprint: have patience, work hard, and try your best to enjoy the process.”
Like many of his colleagues working as artists and performers, Joel was affected by the global pandemic, which has also disproportionately hurt communities of color. As noted in Asian Journal, “We face unique challenges in the entertainment industry, because our work depends on the collaboration of so many. From companies of actors, to film and television crews, to audiences, show business is dependent on gathering,” he shared. “We are having to find new, safe ways to do that during these times.” He has used his social media accounts to promote the issues he believes in, including voting, wearing masks and banding together.
In the heat of summer 2020 and in the midst of the Covid-19 crises, Joel along with fellow local Maplewood and South Orange professional actors Nadia Brown, Diane Davis, Susan Hyon and Rachel Shapiro Cooper, who all of a sudden found themselves with free time due to the pandemic, created The Distance Theater Youth Collective — outdoors, masked and physically distanced. Together they brainstormed the idea as a way to mentor youth – 26 middle school and high school students from the MAPSO Community through the production of “SIGNS OF LIFE: An Evening of Safe Social Distant Theater.”
“I loved working with both my MAPSO peers and all the children on ”SIGNS OF LIFE.” It was really important to find ways to help the kids communicate what their experiences were during the pandemic and to do it in a way that involved others their own age via artistic play.”
Although born in New York, Joel was raised in Evanston, Illinois, and is an alumnus from the North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Brown University and a Masters of Fine Arts from New York University Graduate Acting Program. His favorite meal is the Filipino dish, Crispy Pata.
Joel serves on the board of The Hometown Project, an initiative that leverages influential voices to elevate the message of local campaigns and motivate voter turnout in elections where a few hundred votes can make a big difference!
The Hometown Project Logo.
Joel de la Fuente in the Maplewood, New Jersey Train Station. Photo by Lia Chang.
Joel de la Fuente is a member of SOMA Arts Registry, a free online hub serving Maplewood, South Orange and neighboring towns. It focuses on artists, arts professionals and arts organizations, with the goal to extend their local, regional and national market reach. SOMA Arts Registry was created by the Township of Maplewood and Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture to support the local arts community.
Story by Lisa Mainardi, Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture