Stephen Park Criticizes Racism on 'Friends' Set

Korean-American actor Stephen Park, who guest-starred in two episodes of 'Friends', has criticized the show for fostering a 'toxic environment' that included racial slurs directed at Asian actors. Park recounted an incident where an assistant director used derogatory language to refer to fellow actor James Hong, highlighting the casual racism present on set in 1997. Despite his efforts to address the issue, including writing a mission statement inspired by 'Jerry Maguire' and reaching out to the Screen Actors Guild and the LA Times, Park's concerns were initially ignored, leading to his temporary withdrawal from acting. Over time, Park shared his experiences more widely, which resonated with many and underscored systemic racial issues in Hollywood. The incident has since been part of broader discussions about the lack of diversity and sensitivity in the industry. Co-creator Marta Kauffman has acknowledged issues with diversity on 'Friends' and has made efforts to support African and African American studies.