Jordan Nagai
Jordan Nagai (born February 5, 2000) is an American former child voice actor best known for his voice role as Russell in Up.[1]
Jordan Nagai | |
---|---|
Born | Los Angeles, California, U.S. | February 5, 2000
Education | Washington University in St. Louis |
Occupation | Voice actor |
Years active | 2009–2010 |
Career
Jordan's older brother Hunter originally auditioned for Russell in Up.[2] Director Pete Docter has said, "[a]s soon as Jordan's voice came on we started smiling because he is appealing and innocent and cute and different from what I was initially thinking."[2] About four hundred children had shown up for the auditions, but Nagai stood out because he wouldn't stop talking the whole time.[1] Nevertheless, he was sometimes very shy, and Docter found it difficult getting him to recite all of his lines.[2]
Nagai's character in Up is the first Asian American figure in a movie by Pixar.[1] He also lent his voice to an episode of The Simpsons called "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?" as the voice of Charlie, an orphan who befriends Bart in his quest for a baby brother.
The program aired on December 13, 2009.[3] Nagai has not acted in anything since.
Personal life
He has studied judo since the age of 5, and in 2017 at the age of 17 he achieved a Black Belt.[4][5]
He attends Washington University in St. Louis, and is in the Class of 2022.[6]
Filmography
Films
- Up (2009) – Russell (voice)
- Dug's Special Mission (2009) – Russell (voice)
Television
- The Simpsons (episode "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?") – Charlie (voice)
Video games
- Up (2009) – Russell (voice)
Awards and nominations
- 2010 Breakout Performance Award, from the East West Players [7][8]
References
- Hu, Arthur (2009-05-28). "Asians in Movie 'Up' and Others". AsianWeek. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- King, Susan (2009-05-28). "Jordan Nagai, 'Up'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- "BART'S HOLIDAY WISH THIS SEASON IS FOR A BROTHER". FoxFlash. Archived from the original on 2012-12-13.
- http://www.nankajudo.com/nanka-info/promotions/nanka-black-belts-shodan-up-to-sandan-3-dan/
- https://www.facebook.com/sawtellejudodojo/posts/jordan-nagai-promoted-to-black-belthe-started-at-sawtelle-judo-dojo-at-the-age-o/1342943229081832/
- John (December 28, 2015). "Actor Jordan Nagai's parents worried he and his brother Hunter Nagai might get spoilt by Hollywood". Hit Berry. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
- "'Up' Star Jordan Nagai to Receive Breakout Performance Award". rafu.com.
- "EWP Honors Pixar Films And Jordan Nagai At 44th Anniversary Visionary Awards 4/19". Broadway World.