TIM JO ON FINDING HIS GROOVE: FROM BASS RIFFS TO BOLD ROLES
PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, FASHION STYLING: BRANDEN RUIZ, GROOMING: SUZIE K, DIGITAL TECH: PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG, PHOTO ASST: ANDREW LOPEZ, LOCATION: GM STUDIO DTLA
Tim Jo isn’t just your average Hollywood actor—he's a multifaceted artist who finds balance between bass riffs and bold performances. Best known for his role as Daniel in “Reasonable Doubt”, TIM reveals the challenge of portraying a character who, at first glance, mirrored his own identity too closely. “I naively struggled with my preconceived opinions about nerds and Asian masculinity,” he admits. But after two seasons, he fully embraced Daniel’s complexity. Tim describes his character as "a fiercely loyal, confident, and intelligent young man, driven by passion and fearless of judgment."
In this exclusive interview, Tim opens up about the importance of authenticity in his craft and how he navigates the sometimes "stale archetypes" of Hollywood. He’s refreshingly candid about the evolution of his career, finding joy in ensemble roles but expressing eagerness to "be the story instead of tell the story." Whether it’s Daniel’s quirky yellow cardigan or Tim’s deep connection to his musical roots, one thing is clear: he’s not here to be invisible. "I love finding the quiet corners of society and making lots of noise," he says with a smile. This interview offers a window into the heart of an actor who’s unafraid to break the mold, both on-screen and off.
Hi Tim, how are you? What’s keeping you busy and creative nowadays?
I’m at peace, thanks for asking. My kids are healthy and the wife is happy. I play bass in a couple bands and serve on the board of The Blank Theatre Company in LA. Theater and music, what more could I ask for?
You’ve portrayed a variety of characters throughout your career. How has your role as Daniel in "Reasonable Doubt" challenged or expanded your approach to acting? What was your initial reaction to Daniel’s description as the “dorky neighbor-turned-hottie,” and how did you make him your own?
Thank you for acknowledging that. From a doe eyed teenage alien on The Neighbors to assertive chief of staff on This is Us, I do pride myself on having portrayed a fun variety of characters. Daniel may have actually been one of the most challenging characters for me to find because he was already so much like me. Of course I didn’t know it at the time. To be very honest, it took all of season 1 for me to fully accept and own the character. I naively struggled with my preconceived opinions about nerds and asian masculinity. I powered through that first year by constantly telling myself to let it go and to trust my boss, Raamla Mohammed. Now that we are two seasons in, I am finally able to see what Raamla and our fans were able to see since the first episode: a fiercely loyal, confident and intelligent young man who is driven by passion and fearless of judgement.
In your portrayal of Daniel, there’s a subtle but impactful sense of humor. How do you balance the comedic aspects of your character with the seriousness of a legal drama like "Reasonable Doubt"?
Reasonable Doubt explores some very real and dark subject matter while also giving audiences get an intimate look into the full life of our lead, Jax Stewart. Many parts of her life are complex, morally questionable and heavy, so I had to examine why my character was an essential member of Jax’s team. For me, it was because he not only delivers on the professional level but he also brings a sense of balance and levity to her life. He is painfully optimistic, joyful and eager to lift any room he is in, whether it is with good intel or a great joke.
"Reasonable Doubt" is a series deeply rooted in diversity and representation. How did the show’s focus on minority voices resonate with you, particularly as an Asian American actor in Hollywood?
I’ve been in this industry for a long time and the word diversity has been waved on banners since long before I started. The main difference with Reasonable Doubt is that The Onyx Collective not only set out to tell diverse, but inclusive stories. In other words, they aren’t being colorblind. They are seeking the value of each color and amplifying their voices to enrich the authentic stories they want to tell. And as a proud member of The Collective, I feel so uniquely supported, championed and valued.
The intersectionality of race and identity plays a big role in your character’s storyline. How do you think Daniel’s identity as an Asian American fits into the broader themes of "Reasonable Doubt", and do you see potential for deeper exploration in future seasons?
In Reasonable Doubt, Raamla wasn’t looking to cast any kind of asian ethnicity for the role of Daniel, she specifically wanted to cast a Korean American because of Los Angeles’ rich and complex history with Black and Korean communities. I am definitely looking forward to digging into Daniel’s backstory in future seasons and can confidently assume that his identity as a Korean American will play a role.
How did your experiences with being “Put off to the side” early in your career—such as being cast in a Super Bowl commercial only to be placed by a light stand—inform your approach to this role and others? How do you navigate those moments of invisibility in Hollywood?
Hahahah, you’ve done your research. Let’s say it’s made me very picky. My team may not be too thrilled about it, but I am very particular about jobs and would rather be unemployed than be on set perpetuating stale archetypes. This sounds so naive, but I spent a good portion of my career thinking that I needed to fit into a certain box or fill a certain mold in order to be castable as an actor. After years of therapy and self-love I have finally come to a place where I am confident in my own skin, courageous enough to stand up for myself and value the unique artistry that I have to offer.
Your background in skate-punk music is fascinating and clearly influences your creative pursuits. How does this passion for music bleed into your acting? Do you see parallels between being a musician and an actor, particularly in how you collaborate with others?
It’s funny, being an extreme minority in the communities I grew up in didn’t make me feel like I stood out, rather it made me feel invisible. That may be the reason why I was always attracted to the outliers, the rebels. I loved finding the quiet corners of society and making lots of noise. This passion for boldness definitely bleeds into the way I approach my artistic life.
You’ve mentioned that you approach everything in life as a bassist, thinking about how to support the rest of the band. How does this mindset help you navigate the ensemble cast of "Reasonable Doubt"? How does Daniel contribute to the overall dynamics of the show?
As a bassist, you serve as the bridge between the beat and the melody. Beyond that, you have the responsibility of providing dynamics that subconsciously support and can actually guide the emotional throughline of the song. As an ensemble cast member, I apply this same philosophy when navigating scenes. I am a support player whose function is to establish the foundation of the scene while contributing with my own sense of feel, style and even groove.
In your own life, how do you maintain the balance between pursuing a passion and being excellent in everything you do, as you described with Daniel? What does that kind of commitment mean to you?
I struggled with this for a very, very long time. I was driven by excellence and the pursuit of success. At the end of that journey, I realized that I had completely lost touch with my passion, love for art. When my first child was born, I held her and thought ‘I love you and will never ask anything of you.’ In that moment I thought of my first love, acting. I realized I had spent so many years demanding it to provide me with confidence, clout and success. I made the decision to love my acting the way I would love my child. In that regard, acting doesn’t owe me shit anymore. I’m only here to serve the art that pours out of me and the opportunities that cross my path. This has completely reframed the way I approach my work ethic, self discipline and drive for excellence.
As someone who plays a character so invested in supporting others, what life lessons do you draw from Daniel? How do they align with your personal experiences?
It is much tastier to serve than to be served. Also, stop caring about what other people think. Live boldly and go forth with confidence, for you are loved and covered.
There’s an authenticity to Daniel that viewers connect with. How important is authenticity in the characters you choose to play? What advice would you give to others about staying true to themselves in a world that often pushes people to conform?
Representation is the hot word these days. But my advice to other aspiring minority actors is that great representation is the result of great work, so focus on the work. It is easy to be distracted by perceived stereotypes and biases, especially when job opportunities for minorities are already slim. I am so guilty of trying to make representation an actionable part of my artistry. However, I am always reminding myself to embrace how unique I am, we all are. We have all been gifted with a distinct soul and voice, one that we should always be working towards embracing as we aspire to express it.
Your character has a unique relationship with Jax, the protagonist. How would you describe Daniel’s dynamic with her, and how does it evolve over the course of the season?
Daniel is a safe space for Jax. He has been with her during her highest highs and lowest lows, yet remains consistently loyal and dependable. Their dynamic ranges from great colleagues to trusted confidants. With the entrance of Morris Chestnut’s Corey Cash this season, their relationship almost takes on a humorous parent/child dynamic. While Jax never relinquishes her power, Daniel’s budding bromance with Corey does allow some jealousy to seep through this season. Maybe Jax needs Daniel’s love more than she’s willing to admit.
Fashion plays a subtle but interesting role in "Reasonable Doubt". Daniel’s yellow cardigan and quirky fashion choices stand out. How do these wardrobe decisions help shape your portrayal of the character?
I’d say fashion is actually one of the main characters in Reasonable Doubt! I absolutely love that Daniel has a very loud sense of fashion, especially when you realize he is surrounded by stuffy white men in suits most of the time. To me, that not only means that Daniel lives boldly but the show wants Daniel to be bold. This goes back to inclusion, where my character isn’t treated as token addition rather a loud statement that is engineered to be seen and heard.
What kind of roles are you drawn to next? Do you see yourself continuing in this kind of character, or are you looking to challenge yourself with something completely different?
I’m looking to do anything that grows me as an artist. Also, as much as I’ve loved every opportunity to support other character’s journeys as a member of the ensemble, I’m eager to be the story instead of telling the story.
Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self just starting out in Hollywood? How have your goals or perspectives shifted since those early days?
Enjoy life. I’m proud of you for prioritizing your craft and discipline but you need to go out and live a full life my guy. Splurge on that trip, fall in love, buy that guitar. Life experiences will enrich your soul, make you a more complex and deeper person, actor. The only difference between then and now is back then I wanted to succeed, thought success was something to work towards. Now, I believe that I am a success. This is a feeling I adopted years ago, when I was an unemployed broke father of a newborn. Wherever I am in my career, as long as I am surrounded by love and filled with faith, I consider myself a success.
What’s the legacy you hope to leave behind, both as an actor and as someone actively contributing to greater representation and diversity in the industry?
I want my legacy to be a demonstration of the divine power of faith. Faith is that gift that appears when you overcome. Faith is the only source of strength that has helped me navigate life’s curveballs, challenges, disappointments and setbacks. If there is any success for me to be remembered for, I hope that it is known that it was built by faith.
Finally, if you were a book, what book would you be and why?
I would be an illustrated children’s book. Some sort of allegory where the main characters were animals. It would be a massive success and spawn a whole series of adventures that eventually get adapted to a successful Dreamworks animated show that runs for 6 seasons, live action movie and successful toyline. Wait, what was the question?
