Amazing Asians in the Arts: Gloria John

Gloria John is a performer based in Los Angeles. Second City provided her with a start in the Arts through sketch comedy shows, and now her resume boasts credits such as The Consultant on Prime Video, Shifters, and Dear Tony. Offscreen, John puts in work with organizations that help domestic violence survivors, provide mental health resources, and aid to veterans, and finds her center through workouts, massages, friends, and meditation.Her advice to young artists? Be the role models you needed growing up – “We need more Asian American representation in the arts. I believe we have so much talent, history and culture to share with the world.” Read on to learn more about Gloria John and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Name:   Gloria John

Heritage:   Korean American

Hometown:   Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles and Seoul, Korea

Current City:   Los Angeles

Current project:   The Consultant on Prime Video

What are some of your favorite credits/projects:

The Consultant on Prime Video, Shifters, Dear Tony.

Any advice for young people getting into the arts?

We need more Asian American representation in the arts. I believe we have so much talent, history and culture to share with the world. 

How did you get your start?

I got my start at Second City Chicago, where I started doing many sketch comedy shows.

Do you have any favorite moments in your career that you'd like to share?

Oh, it's definitely working with Christoph Waltz on The Consultant. I also enjoyed my Second City Chicago days where we put on wonderful sketch comedy shows with so many incredibly talented people.

What have you found is the biggest challenge in your career?

I think in any career, the challenge is yourself. Of course the roles as an Asian American is also limited still but it has gotten so much better over the years.

What are some interesting facts about yourself?

I am also a professional dentist, and 2nd degree black belt in Kumdo. Samurai swords.

Do you have any organizations or non profits you work with you’d like to highlight?

I am very interested in aiding domestic violence, mental health and veterans. 

Who do you admire?

Viola Davis, Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Daniel Kim, Steven Yeon, Christoph Waltz, Van Gogh, Rumi, Kahil Gibran, The Beatles, and so many artists.

Do you have any mentors?

Yes, my acting teachers, Colleen Foy, Joseph Pearlman, Michael Pieper, Rob Rowland, Adam Chambers.

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

Keep doing your best because that is what matters and the rest will follow and take some breaks and enjoy too.

Do you have any self care practices you do to stay focused and sane? What was your self care routine before the pandemic and how has that (as well as your views of self care) changed throughout the pandemic?

Yes, meditation, listening to inspirational YouTube videos, working out, massages, conversations with friends.

How do you prepare for a role you consider difficult personally (such as villains or antagonists), whether it hits too close to home or goes greatly against your personal beliefs?

You must have empathy for the person you are playing and start to see where their pain is coming from. No one is born evil, there is always something or someone in their lives that has made them behave that way. So, a lot of alone time with that character.

Since so many of us spent a lot of time isolated during the pandemic, how has that experience specifically changed your creative or preparation process or your outlook on life?

This is a very good question. At first, I was really scared because I was still seeing patients as a dentist and being a doctor you know what a virus can do. I realized that the news and all the hype up of the situation made all of us go mad. It was truly a difficult time. But as time went by, I learned to go more inward with myself and care for my mental health and really enjoy the time to spend time with myself in mediation, exercises and cuddling with my puppies.

To find out more on Gloria John, please visit her at:

Instagram:  @actorgloriajohn