Born in Washington D.C. to Chinese immigrant parents, Archie Kao is a Chinese-American actor/director/producer, perhaps best known to American audiences for television series regular roles on Chicago P.D., Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
From his start in starring in the world’s #1 kids show as the Lost Galaxy’s Blue Power Ranger to later spending 10 seasons with the world’s #1 drama franchise CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Kao has had a colorful and storied career.
In 2010, Kao was inducted into MOCA’s (Museum of Chinese Americans) inaugural class of YPX88- honoring Asian Americans in creative culture, along with actresses Lucy Liu, Michelle Krusiec, and trailblazing playwright David Henry Hwang. In 2012, Kao was honored with CAPE’s (Coalition of Asian Pacific’s in Entertainment) Leaders and Legends award from Who’s Who in Asian American Communities, amongst such distinguished recipients as former US Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta, US Congressman Mike Honda and Indonesian Ambassador Dino Patti Djalal.
In 2013, Kao joined the series regular cast of NBC/Universal’s hit series Chicago PD, broadening the success of legendary producer Dick Wolf’s One Chicago franchise. Being named one of People Magazine’s “Hottest Bachelors”, as well as dozens of appearances in US film and television productions led Kao to his first Chinese production: SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN with Li Bing Bing, Gianna Jun, and Hugh Jackman. In 2014, Kao became the first male to appear on the cover of Vogue China.
In 2016, Kao spent time in mountainous rural regions of Sichuan China when he volunteered to build educational centers for the impoverished youth of the region with donations from Harper’s Bazaar, and is on the advisory board for Homes4theHomeless, a non-profit organization aiming at tackling the homelessness epidemic, as well as supporting underserved youth with vocational training programs.
His production entity Summer Grape Productions aims to create content for a transpacific audience, and Kao has produced various productions under this banner- including FAST MONEY, the recipient of numerous festival awards- as well as writing and directing INITIATION- starring Ashley Bell of THE LAST EXORCISM.
In 2020, Kao began work on two new projects: Warner Brothers/HBO series FLIGHT ATTENDANT, and iQiyi’s BREATH OF DESTINY.
