Manny Jacinto shares 'Star Wars' stardom spotlight with Filipino parents | ABS-CBN

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Manny Jacinto shares 'Star Wars' stardom spotlight with Filipino parents

Manny Jacinto shares 'Star Wars' stardom spotlight with Filipino parents

Yong Chavez,

TFC News

 | 

Updated May 30, 2024 12:23 AM PHT

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Manny Jacinto is one of Hollywood’s rising stars and at his biggest red-carpet premiere thus far, he brought his Filipino parents along.

Jacinto came to be known for his breakout role in "The Good Place."

He is now part of the Star Wars universe, as one of the main cast members of the upcoming Disney+ series “The Acolyte” which had its Hollywood premiere recently.

Lito and Emmy Jacinto traveled from Canada to attend.

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Their family immigrated to Vancouver after they left the Philippines. The two said neither of them imagined that one day, they would walk a Hollywood red carpet.

The Jacintos also shared how proud they are of their son for working hard to achieve what he has now.

"It started with dancing and acting," said Lito in Filipino. "He was also shy as a kid, but that changed along the way."

Fil-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto plays one of the main roles in the new Disney+ series Fil-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto plays one of the main roles in the new Disney+ series "The Acolyte." (Courtesy: Disney+)

The Filipino-Canadian actor was handpicked by “The Acolyte” creator and executive producer, Leslye Headland, after seeing him in the TV series “Nine Perfect Strangers.”

"Luckily, she (Headland) saw that character and called me up and now I'm here," said Jacinto

Of his co-cast in "The Good Place," Jacinto said: "I love that whole family and it has a special place in my heart But this is pretty unreal to be able to be able to say that I'm a part of Star Wars."

It was a true family affair for Jacinto, as his fiancee, Dianne Doan, was also present in the Hollywood premiere.

The “Warrior” lead actress was the one who encouraged Jacinto to keep pursuing his Hollywood dreams, starting from when they met as young dancers in Canada.

"I am so excited for the world to see this," said Doan. "He's worked so hard on this show. He's so passionate about it, and I've never seen him so fulfilled creatively. That just means the world."

Celebrating with the Jacintos was another prominent Filipino in Star Wars, Diana Lee Inosanto.

She plays Morgan Elsbeth in “Ahsoka,” “The Mandalorian,” and “Tales of the Empire.”

"There was a time when that was impossible, highly unusual," Inosanto said of having Filipino actors in Hollywood. "But aren’t we lucky that Lucasfilm and Disney have been so good about expanding diversity and showcasing other people that represent our planet?"

Featuring a diverse cast, “The Acolyte” has Amandla Stenberg at its center.

The stellar cast includes Lee Jung-Jae, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Carrie-Anne Moss.

“The Acolyte” will start streaming on Disney+ on June 4.

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