APA Month Day 23 - director Justin Lin

Chinese American director Justin Lin learned his trade form the UCLA Film School. The film that put him on the map was "Better Luck Tomorrow". This film made waves at The Sundance Film Festival when a member of the audience asked how Justin & co. could "make a film as so empty and amoral for Asian Americans and for Americans". Movie critic Roger Ebert stepped up and defended the film. In 2002, Justin made it on Variety Magazine's "Ten Directors to Watch". From independent films, he jumped into Hollywood films. His first studio picture was Annapolis, which was greeted with mixed reviews, but found an audience in DVDs. His next film was "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," which took in almost $160 million worldwide. This was an amazing feat considering this was a whole new cast from the original "The Fast and the Furious". Drifting became the "in" thing. Justin Lin went back to indie flix by directing the hilarious "Finishing the Game: The Search for a New Bruce Lee". Currently, Justin Lin is filming "The Fast and the Furious 4"

Watch this short documentary "BUILDING A JOURNEY: FROM BETTER LUCK TOMORROW TO FINISHING THE GAME" - Part 1 of 3:


Part 2 of 3:


Part 3 of 3:

APA Month Day 22 - Baseball player Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon was born in Kansas. His mother, Yome, is Thai and his father, Jimmy, is a Caucasian American of Croatian and Irish descent. He was an Army brat most of his childhood and eventually settled in Orlando, Florida for his senior year of high school. He was rated the top high school prospect in the country by Baseball America, named to USA Today's High School All-America team, and selected as Florida Gatorade Player of the Year.

Straight from high school, Johnny Damon was drafted in the first round by the Kansas City Royals in 1992. After stint with the Royals and Athletics, he landed with the Boston Red Sox. In 2004, Damon was instrumental in helping the Boston Red Sox win their first championship in 86 years. (He hit a grand slam against the Yankees in the ALCS.) He caught a lot of flack from Boston fans when he signed with the Yankees in 2005.

Boston Red Sox Johnny Damon


New York Yankees Johnny Damon

During the 2004 post-season, Johnny Damon was compared to looking like Jesus.

After being with New York for three seasons now, most people know Johnny Damon as one of the leaders of the Yankees. However, away from baseball, the outfielder is an active leader in the Thai community, trying to get more Asian athletes involved in the sport. Even though he's not generally thought of as an Asian athlete, he takes pride in being an Asian American role model.

Watch Johnny Damon in this special report:

APA Month Day 21 - 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors

THE 18 MIGHTY MOUNTAIN WARRIORS grew out of a comedy ensemble called the New Godzilla Theater in residence at Asian American Theater Company in San Francisco from 1993-1994. Since its premiere production, In Deep Shabu Shabu, in September 1994, the group has written and produced a dozen feature shows, performed numerous workshop productions and benefit one-night stands around the greater Bay Area, and toured nationally and internationally at colleges, universities, arts festivals and theatrical venues. The group is also known for its various “performances” at bars and clubs in San Francisco’s Japantown and Tenderloin districts. Over the years, the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors have established themselves as a new force in Asian Pacific Islander American arts. They’ve been touted as the “Asian American version of In Living Color,” were picked as the “Smash Hit” of the 1996 Hong Kong Fringe Arts Festival (the second largest in the world after the Edinburgh Fringe Festival), and were said to have “blown any episode of SNL out of the water in the past decade.” They wield their unique brand of comedy--culled from influences ranging from Monty Python’s Flying Circus to In Living Color to Culture Clash to Hong Kong slapstick comedies and action movies--both to entertain and to provoke thought about the issues that affect Asian Pacific Islander Americans. However, the cross-over appeal to non-Asian Pacific Islander American audiences is very strong as well, because the group approaches issues in a non-didactic manner and believes that laughter knows no cultural boundaries.

As artists and activists, the group seeks to explore and articulate images of Asian Pacific Islander Americans alternative to what has been perpetuated in the mainstream media. One of the group’s strategies is to push the envelope as comedic performers in both style and content, as well as to break down prevailing stereotypes and promote more positive images. Much of the group’ s impact lies in its lack of hesitation in lambasting the Asian American community itself as well. Almost all the faces of Asian America are represented, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Filipino backgrounds, allowing the group to represent a wide range of cultures and perspectives.

The 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors are:

* Harold S. Byun
* Valiant Chow
* Rhoda Gravador
* Rania Ho
* Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle
* Todd Nakagawa
* Greg Watanabe
* Pearl Wong
* Peter J. Wong

Watch the latest 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors video:

APA Month Day 17 - James Hong

James Hong has been in over 450 feature movies and TV shows. Versatility has been James Hong's trademark throughout his career as an actor and entertainer for over 50 years. He's played all kinds of roles from good guys to bad guys to ancient old men. He has entertained millions as Lo Pan in "Big Trouble in Little China", the voice of Chi Fu in "Mulan", and appeared opposite popular stars like Harrison Ford in "Blade Runner" and Jack Nicholson in "Chinatown" and "The Two Jakes". His television credentials include Kung-Fu (both past and present), Hawaii 5-0, Seinfeld, Chicago Hope, and many more.

Born in Minneapolis and "becoming too Americanized," Hong was sent by his father to Hong Kong for a Chinese elementary education. He returned to the United States shortly before the outbreak of World War II and entered school in Minneapolis at the age of ten without knowing a word of English. He somehow caught up, and in college he studied civil engineering to please his parents. He started at the University of Minnesota and ultimately graduated from the University of Southern California.

His engineering career did not last very long. His first stint in show business was performing in a nightclub comedy duo with his partner, Don Parker. His flair for comedy led to a spot as a contestant on "You Bet Your Life," where his impersonation of host Groucho Marx earned him a contract at a popular San Francisco club, Forbidden City. Soon after he worked nonstop in television and film.

However, James Hong has been frustrated with the lack of diversity in his roles. In 1965, he and several fellow Asian actors established the East West Players, a theatre company in Los Angeles designed to give voice to the Asian Pacific-American community. According to the Asian American theater company, about 75% of Asian American performers in action living in Los Angeles have worked at East West Players. Ideally, James Hong would like to play some doctors or head businessmen or lawyers.

James Hong has paved the way for many Asian American actors. Although the roles he were not his ideal roles, he continues to look for more ways to expand the opportunities of Asian American actors including producing, directing, and starring in the feature film "Just Dance", which will feature his daughter, actor April Hong.

Conversation with James Hong Part 1


Conversation with James Hong Part 2

APA Month Day 16 - Far East Movement

The Far*East Movement (FM) was formed by emcees: Kev Nish (Kevin Nishimura), Prohgress (James Roh), and J-Splif (Jae Choung). The three childhood friends found their love for music fresh out of high school and created recognition for the group in the Los Angeles hip-hop scene through energetic live shows and a strong Internet presence.

Forming Catch Music Group with manager Carl Choi in 2004, the group has since been developed into a rising force destined for World recognition. The group has achievements on an independent level that some major label groups could only dream to attain. Far East Movement has embarked on 2 World Tours (including the USA, South America, Canada, & Asia). Their music has been featured on "CSI," "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" and Justin Lin's "Finishing the Game."

Currently, Far East Movement is working on their sophomore album "Animal" slated for release in 2008. The album includes guest appearances by platinum selling artists Lil Rob and Baby Bash. Recently, they also collobrated with the Korean popstar Se7en on his upcoming English album.

If you are in the NorCal area (San Francisco & Sacramento), look for FM performing in your area.

05/16/2008 11:30 AM - Foothill High School Rally
Foothill High School
Sacramento, California
Descrīption:email 4cthepower@gmail.com for info

05/16/2008 02:30 PM - 4C the Power Place;
Follow-up for Hip Hop Music, Spoken Word and Singing Workshops
Grant High School
Sacramento, California
Descrīption:email 4cthepower@gmail.com for info

05/16/2008 10:00 PM - UC DAVIS - AAAFF After Party
UC DAVIS
DAVIS, California
Descrīption:email 4cthepower@gmail.com for show info and tickets. Host - DDK


5/17/2008 07:00 PM - Stanford University Manzanita Dining Hall
- Stanford Hmong Student Union & 4C the Power
661 Escondido Rd.
Stanford, California
Descrīption:email 4cthepower@gmail.com for show info and tickets

Watch this interview with Far East Movement:


Watch this Far East Movement's music video Round Round:

APA Month Day 14 - Yul Kown

Yul Kwon was the winner of Survivor: Cook Islands. Dubbed the "Ringleader", "Puppet Master" and "Godfather", he became the first Asian American winner on Survivor. After being crowned the champion, Yul Kwon was voted one of People magazine's Sexiest Men for 2006. The Stanford/Yale graduate now spends time promoting great causes including bone marrow donation, domestic violence, and promoting Asian Americans in the media.

He recently announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Sophie Tan. And will be opening a Red Mango fro-yo shop in Palo Alto.

See this interview with Yul Kwon with Julie Chen after winning Survivor:

APA Month Day 13 - nigahiga

YouTube's nigahiga aka Ryan Higa is one of the top all-time subscribed YouTubers. This Japanese-American from Hawaii has been making viewers laugh since July 2006. He makes videos because his crew loves to make people laugh. Here's some of The Ryan Higa Show's funny videos.

How to be a gangster:


nigahiga was also able to get Milo Ventimiglia (aka Peter from Heroes) to do a video as well:


This is definitely an interesting way to promote the film Pathology.
Add nigahiga as your Myspace friend.

APA Month Day 12 - Jabbawockeez

America's Best Dance Crew is Jabbawockeez. The Jabbawockeez crew was established by a group of friends wanting to showcase freestyle dance in 2003. Their signature outfit is wearing a white face masks and gloves while synchronizing their dance moves. The Jabbawockeez gained nationwide visibility first on America's Got Talent, then reached stardom by winning MTV's America's Best Dance Crew. They also appeared in the movie Step Up 2.

Crew members:
JEFF NGUYEN AKA 'PHI', 26 - PHOENIX, AZ
RYNAN SHAWN PAGUIO, 26 - SAN DIEGO, CA
BEN CHUNG AKA 'B-TEK', 26 - MISSION HILLS, CA
KEVIN BREWER, 31 - SACRAMENTO, CA
PHIL TAYAG, 23 - SACRAMENTO, CA
CHRIS GATDULA, 26 - LAS VEGAS, NV
GARY RAY KENDELL - SEASIDE, CA (passed away due to pneumonia before filming began)

Compilation of Jabbawokeez on America's Best Dance Crew:


If you want to know which member of the Jabbawockeez crew is single, watch this video:

Rcently, Jabbawockeez also appeared on the Asian Excellence Awards and The Biggest Online Dance Battle in YouTube History.

APA Month Day 11 - Kristi Yamaguchi

Japanese American Kristi Yamaguchi grew up in Fremont, California. She attended Mission San Jose High School and later transferred to Willow Glen High School in San Jose, California, where she graduated. Kristi began skating as physical therapy for her club feet.

Although she has club feet, Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic Gold Medalist; two-time World Champion, U.S. National Champion and a four-time World Profession Champion. She was one of the first U.S. women to compete in both pairs' events and ladies' singles and win pairs titles in 1989 and 1990. She and her partner, Rudy Galindo, were the 1988 World Junior Pairs Champions. Kristi also won the Junior Ladies Title that same year. Kristi also was the first American to win the Olympic Gold Medal since Dorothy Hamill in 1976. Later, as a professional, she won four titles and was honored as 1996 Skater of the Year by American Skating World. Kristi was named to the U.S. Hall of Fame by the United States Figure Skating Association and to the World Skating Hall of Fame in 1999. On December 8, 2005, Kristi was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Committee Olympic Hall of Fame.

After her skating career, she has charitable work. Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream Foundation was established with one purpose in mind: to support organizations that have a positive influence on children including purchasing computers for an after-school mentoring program and providing sponsored summer camp for kids with disabilities.

In addition to her charity, she spends time with her family in Raleigh, North Carolina. Kristi is married to Carolina Hurricanes' Bret Hedican with whom she has two daughters. Currently, you can catch Kristi Yamaguchi on the Stars. ABC's Dancing with the Stars.

Watch Kristi Yamaguchi on Week 1 of DAncing with the Stars:

Previous clips:
Kristi Yamaguchi quicksteps and sambas on Dancing with the Stars
Kristi Yamaguchi waltzes and cha-cha-chas on Dancing with the Stars
Kristi Yamaguchi on Dancing with the Stars


Kristi Yamaguchi promoting healthy teeth. BTW - Her dad is a dentist:

APA Month Day 10 - Jin

Jin (aka Jin tha MC aka The Emcee aka 100 Grand Jin aka Jin Au-Yeung) got his big break on BET's 106 & Park, where he won seven consecutive weeks of freestyle rap battles and was inducted into the show's Hall of Fame. Shortly after the win, Jin signed with Ruff Ryders and release his first single "Learn Chinese." However, Jin was mismanaged by the Virgin/Ruff Ryder label with album delays and uncertainty with contracts.

His best move may have been leaving the Virgin/Ruff Ryder label to go independent. He has since released several albums, freestyle tracks, and music videos. Jin has used his skills to not only win Fight Klub battle championships, but also address racism including Hot 97's tsumani song and Rosie O'Donnell's ching chong incident. According to Jin's Myspace page, he will be releasing another album in 2008 entitled "Birthdays, Funerals and Things In Between." In the meantime, enjoy some of Jin's previous work.

Q&A with Jin:


Jin demonstrating his Cantonese skills in "ABC":


If you are in Los Angeles, Jin is hosting a party to tonite

APA Month Day 9 - Tatum Jones

After DJ Say left to pursue a solo career, the remaining members of the Asian boy band "At Last" (Hans Cho, Michael Lee, and Justin Fong) formed Tatum Jones. As "At Last", the members performed on shows like "It's Showtime at the Apollo" and NBC's "America's Got Talent".

As Tatum Jones, the trio released their latest album "The Love Movement" a few months ago. Their sound is a fusion of R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Pop. Watch the Ain't No Sunshine music video from Tatum Jones:

Their latest single "U Should Know" will win over any fan of love songs. You can hear the cut on Myspace. Add Tatum Jones as your friend on Myspace.

If you want to see Tatum jones in person, they are hosting a party in Los Angeles this weekend. And next weekend they will be performing in Des Moines, Iowa.

APA Month Day 8 - Sandra Oh

Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Sandra Oh is a two-time Genie Award-winning (Canada's Emmy), Golden Globe Award-winning and a three-time Emmy Award-nominated Canadian actress. Since the age of four, she has been involved in entertainment including ballet, theater, and improv. Her first major role was in CBC television film The Diary of Evelyn Lau. Her performance brought her a Gemini nomination for Best Actress and the 1994 Cannes FIPA d'Or for Best Actress. A year later, Sandra won her first Genie (Canada's Oscar) for her leading role in Double Happiness, a bittersweet coming-of-age story about a young Chinese-Canadian woman.

She moved to Los Angeles in 1996 to begin the first of seven seasons as Rita Wu, the smart and sassy assistant on the HBO comedy series Arli$$, for which she won the final Cable Ace award for Best Actress in a Comedy. Her other television work also includes the acclaimed series Six Feet Under, Further Tales of the City, and Judging Amy. Among her feature film credits are The Night Listener, For Your Consideration, Three Needles, Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity, Under the Tuscan Sun, Sorry Haters, Rick, Bean, Guinevere, The Red Violin, Waking the Dead, Dancing at the Blue Iguana, The Princess Diaries and Pay or Play. Her lead performance in Last Night, won her a second Genie Award for Best Actress, and in 2003 the enormously successful feature film Sideways, earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

A talented and driven actress, Sandra Oh is also a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award winner and has also received two Emmy Award nominations for her role as Dr. Cristina Yang on the hit series Grey's Anatomy. With all the awards, she knows that she is one of the few Asian actresses in Hollywood recognized for her talent. Although her success in Canada opened doors for her, she still experienced many difficulties in Hollywood based on her race. Getting a lead role in the US is much more difficult than in Canada. The Hollywood entertainment industry always want to keep her in the supporting roles.

Sandra Oh talks about being Asian American on the set of Grey'a Anatomy:


Watch Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang in Grey's Anatomy on Thusday nights at 9pm/8pm Central on ABC:

APA Month Day 7 - Kevjumba

Kevjumba aka Kevin Wu is one of the top all-time subscribed comedians on YouTube. The Chinese American high schooler gained huge visibility when YouTube featured his video "I have to deal with Stereotypes". Here's the video:

Kevjumba draws his inspiration from comedian Dave Chappelle. And based on online videos, he is an avid soccer player with an online pseudo-girlfriend HappySlip. Recently, he has been able to get high profile celebrities on his videos including Baron Davis vs Kevjumba in waste paper basketball. In his latest video, he challenges Baron Davis and Jessica Alba to a staring competition.

Kevjumba vs Baron Davis in a staring competition:


Jessica Alba answers Kevjumba's staring challenge:

Subscribe to Kevjumba on YouTube.

APA Month Day 6 - HappySlip

Prior to her YouTube fame, Christine Gambito aka HappySlip was a registered nurse, but always had a passion for acting. The nurse-turned-actress was always looking for a creative outlet and had thought of one day doing a one woman show. Not only is she in front of the camera, but is also her own production team doing everything from scripting, directing, and editing.

"Mixed Nuts" video spoofing a quirky Filipino family was her breakthrough video. Her hard work got HappySlip Nominated for 2006 YouTube Video Award. HappySlip is one of the top subscribed directors on YouTube with over 150k subscribers. She also became one of the first YouTube users accepted into YouTube's revenue sharing program. Earlier this year, the Filipino-American was appointed ambassador for Philippine tourism by the Department of Tourism and made a series of video in the Philippines. We hope HappySlip continues her success.

Watch HappySlip in "Mixed Nuts":


HappySlip just recently launched a contest for her video "Exposed". You can join the contest here. Watch HappySlip in "Exposed":


You can add HappySlip as a friend on Youtube and Myspace

APA Month Day 5 - Actor Kal Penn

Kal Penn aka Kalpen Suresh Modi has burst onto the Holloywood scene the past few years with starring roles in National Lampoon's Van Wilder, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, The Namesake, and most recently Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay. He can also be seen as a regualrly oon TV as Dr. Kutner on Fox's House.

Despite his success, Kal Penn has seen his share of racism in Hollywood. In his first audition in Los Angeles for a commercial, he was asked "Where's your turban?" When he explained why he didn't wear a turban, the casting director told him to "put on a bedsheet or something". Partly as a joke and partly to test if anglicized names appeal more to a white-dominated Hollywood, he changed his name from Kalpen Modi to Kal Penn on his resume and photos. Suprisingly, callbacks for auditions increased. Although he still prefers Kalpen Modi, he is stuck with his working name Kal Penn in Hollywood.

With his experience in acting and auditioning, Mr. Kalpen Modi (aka Kal Penn) is currently an adjunct professor in the Asian American Studies Department at UPENN teaching ASAM 109/CINE 109/SOCI 109 "IMAGES OF ASIAN-AMERICANS IN MEDIA" for Asian American Studies, Cinema Studies, and Sociology! This course examines contemporary popular images of Asian Americans in the US media, with a specific focus on popular film and television. Guest lecturers that have spoken in Professor Modi's class include Margaret Cho, executives from New Line Cinema, Daniel Chun (Writer, The Simpsons), and Vali Chandrasekara (Writer, My Name is Earl).

Watch Kal Penn of talk about being an Asian American actor and typecasting:

Watch Kal Penn on House on Monday Nights at 9pm/8pm Central:

APA Month Day 4 - Comedian Dr. Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong aka Dr. Ken has been blending comedy & medicine all of his life. After graduating Duke University & attaining his MD at the University of North Carolina, Ken completed his Internal Medicine residency in New Orleans while developing a cult comedy following.

While in New Orleans, Ken won the Big Easy Laff-Off. Late NBC president Brandon Tartikoff and Improv founder Budd Friedman judged the competition and advised Ken to move to Los Angeles. Once residing in LA, Ken began performing regularly at the Improv & Laugh Factory. He is also part of the Kims of Comedy consisting of Bobby Lee, Kevin Shea, Steve Byrne, and Dr. Ken Jeong

Ken's background in theater & improv has led to several television appearances including "The Office," "Entourage" "Boston Legal" and "The Shield.". He is a recurring voice on FOX's American Dad. In 2007, Dr. Ken made his feature film debut in Knocked Up as Dr. Kuni. Here's clip from the movie:
Warning! - the clips on this entry are not safe for work (NSFW)


Dr. Ken will reteam with Judd Apatow & Seth Rogen in The Pineapple Express. He recently completed filming All About Steve starring Sandra Bullock, Little Big Men starring Paul Rudd, and The Goods: The Don Ready Story starring Jeremy Piven. He also wrapped a cameo in Step Brothers starring Will Ferrell. Look for Pineapple Express and Step Brothers this summer.

Dr. Ken also has a following for the viral video Million Dollar Strong where he plays Yoshido. Watch this hilarious music video What's It Gonna Be? by Million Dollar Strong:
Warning! - the clips on this entry are not safe for work (NSFW)


According to Variety, MTV Films plan to make this into a full blown movie. They story will revolve around the meteoric rise of a delusional rapper (Mike O'Connell) and his Asian foreign exchange student friend (Ken Jeong) as they take on the hip-hop world.

Add Dr. Ken as you myspace friend.

APA Month Day 3 - Video Game Pianist Martin Leung

Martin Leung (aka Video Game Pianist aka Blindfolded Pianist) is an award-winning, globally-recognized pianist and musical pioneer for the 21st century. Although he trained classically, Martin Leung specializes in playing music from video games.

At San Francisco’s Sony Metreon on 8 March 2005, Martin made his first public appearance interpreting the tune-stories of Super Mario, Sonic, Zelda, Earthworm Jim, and Halo 2 as a performing art. Two days later he performed at Moscone Center for the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) Audio Awards. Martin Leung is in the vanguard of efforts to introduce video game music as a respectable component of universal music-making. The first video-game-music solo recital Martin performed publicly was in 2005 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas—replete with 21 encores.

His success was initially launched by a popular internet video of then-seventeen-year-old Martin’s blindfolded performance of the classic Super Mario Brothers theme, and a spirited Mario medley. This landmark clip debuted on numerous websites on 2 July 2004.

Watch the Video Game Pianist in action:

You can also find Martin Leung at Facebook, Myspace, and YouTube. Add him as your friend.

APA Month Day 2 - Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang

Jerry Yang, a Taiwanese native raised in San Jose, Calif., co-created the Yahoo! Internet navigational guide in April 1994 with David Filo and co-founded Yahoo! Inc. in April 1995. He was appointed chief executive officer of the company in June 2007. Jerry Yang, a leading force in the Internet media industry, has been instrumental in building Yahoo! into the world's most highly trafficked Web site and one of the world's most recognized brands. Since the company's founding, Mr. Yang has been a key member of the executive management team. His focus at Yahoo! over the years has included corporate strategy, Yahoo!'s technology vision, strategic business partnerships and international joint ventures, and recruiting key talent. In addition to serving on the Yahoo! Board of Directors, Mr. Yang currently serves on the board of directors of Cisco Systems, Yahoo! Japan, and Alibaba, and is also on the Stanford University Board of Trustees. Mr. Yang holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University and is currently on a leave of absence from Stanford's electrical engineering Ph.D. program.

Other interesting facts:
His current compensation at Yahoo! is $1 USD.
He married his college sweetheart Akiko Yamazaki.
The Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building is setting the standard for 21st-century buildings at Stanford.

Watch a video of co-founders Jerry Yang and David Filo:


Here's a video of the Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building:


BTW - Here's the official Presidental Proclamation of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

APA Month Day 1 - YouTube co-founder Steve Chen

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, so every day this month we'll try to profile Asian Americans and Asian American videos on the 'Net.

The first person we are profiling is Steve Chen, co-founder of YouTube. According to ComScore for Janaury 2008, 78.5 million viewers watched 3.25 billion videos on YouTube.com (41.4 videos per viewer). YouTube.com also accounted for one-third of the 9.8 billion videos viewed online in the U.S. during the month. You can also watch Steve Chen's channel.

Steve Chen is Chief Technology Officer of YouTube and co-founded the company in 2005 after he and Chad Hurley resolved to provide a more simple way to share videos online. Steve has been instrumental in building YouTube into a viral video phenomenon and helped lead YouTube through the Google acquisition for $1.65 billion less than a year after launching the site.

As the company's key technologist, Steve is credited with developing the company's massive data centers and helping build YouTube into a premier entertainment destination and one of the most popular Web sites on the Internet today. He oversees all areas of both engineering and product development, including managing site operations, and developing features and services that are compelling and easy to use for everyone.

Before YouTube, Steve was one of the first product engineers at PayPal. He led development efforts and served as an engineering manager on a variety of critical projects. Steve studied computer science at the University of Illinois.

Here's a video message from co-founders Steve Chen and Chan Hurley after Google 's acquisition of YouTube for $1.65 billion:

Learn more about Steve from the 2007 Committee of 100 Panel: Personal Journey with Steve Chen (Part 1 of 6):

Personal Journey with Steve Chen (Part 2 of 6):

Personal Journey with Steve Chen (Part 3 of 6):

Personal Journey with Steve Chen (Part 4 of 6):

Personal Journey with Steve Chen (Part 5 of 6):

Personal Journey with Steve Chen (Part 6 of 6):