Eugene Lee Yang (born January 18, 1986) is an American filmmaker, actor, author, activist, and internet personality. He is known for his work with BuzzFeed (2013–2018) and for being the co-founder of the comedy group The Try Guys (2014–2024) and its company 2nd Try LLC.
Yang is also known for his work with various human rights and LGBTQ+ advocacy charities such as The Trevor Project.
Yang, the only son of South Korean immigrants Min-yeong Lee (Korean: 이민영) and Jae-hong Yang (Korean: 양재홍), was born in Waco, Texas, and raised in Pflugerville, Texas. He discovered he had some Chinese and Japanese ancestry in addition to his mostly Korean roots after taking a 23andMe DNA test. He has two sisters. Growing up in Pflugerville, Yang's family was one of the few Asian American families in their community. He struggled with body image issues and low self-esteem as, in his own words, no one looked like him and suffered bullying due to his appearance.
Early on, he lost his Texan accent by the prodding of his sister, who told him he might face difficulties getting into Ivy League schools. Initially, he was skeptical about pursuing a career in film, explaining that his doubts regarding gaining acceptance in mainstream media stemmed from the lack of queer and Asian American representation in films:
I was a very insecure, self-conscious kid, and as an artist even more so. I always assumed that my otherness was a curse – that I would be held back by my Asian and queer identities. My time online has shown me that the viewers will respond most to authentic storytelling.
At school, he engaged in artistic activities including visual arts, illustration, theater, choir, and dance. However, a seventh-grade teacher recommended that he should consider studying filmmaking. He attended the University of Southern California and, during his studies, wrote and directed six short films discussing social and political topics, including mental health care, gay marriage, and school shootings. He graduated with a B.A. in cinema production in 2008.
After college, Yang did freelance work producing music videos and writing and filming commercials for five years.
In 2013, he started working for the video branch of the internet media company BuzzFeed, at the recommendation of a colleague who saw his potential in creating short-format videos. He was given free control on experimental video productions and explored new modes of storytelling.
A few of his works were centered on stereotypes, body issues, and Asian American identity, producing If Disney Princes Were Real, which had earned over 70 million views, and Women's Ideal Body Types Throughout History, which was viewed over 40 million times and remained one of Buzzfeed's most watched on YouTube. According to Glamour, "Yang's videos work because they're funny-with-a-message riffs on all-American cultural touchstones—like high school vs. college, awkward private moments, and pet ownership. But he's also not afraid to tackle issues surrounding race—especially when it comes to the Asian American community."
Reaction to some of his early works was positive, particularly on their distinct candor and reliability, which led to more provocative sketches such as The Try Guys, which was established at Buzzfeed in 2014 with co-stars Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, and Zach Kornfeld. The show is a mix of social commentary and humor depicting scenarios such as men going through labor pains and prostate cancer checkups at a doctor's office. The cast initially was hesitant about stepping out from behind the camera as they had limited experience being talents, but they continued producing videos for the show after receiving positive feedback.
Yang became a recognized name on social media, taking on challenges, such as the first season's first episode, "Guys Try Ladies' Underwear For the First Time." The New York Times considered him the breakout star of The Try Guys.
On June 16, 2018, he and the rest of the cast of The Try Guys announced that they had left BuzzFeed and established 2nd Try LLC, a company that they own and manage. The 2nd Try LLC gained all rights to The Try Guys brand. Yang was the first Try Guy to leave Buzzfeed, as his contract ended first.
On May 4, 2019, The Try Guys announced that they were publishing a book called The Hidden Power of F*cking Up, which was published June 18, 2019, and became a New York Times Best Seller. In the same video, The Try Guys also announced their tour, which took on an "'80s rock-band theme," and their podcast, which is called the "Try-Pod."
In October 2020, the Try Guys endorsed Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.
In May 2024, Habersberger and Kornfeld revealed that Yang would be concluding his activities with the Try Guys following their upcoming season of content. Yang formally announced his departure in a video released on May 23. He went on to explain that he was pursuing other artistic ventures and his general discomfort with the publicity that came with being a social media influencer. Yang stated that he still planned to continue making guest appearances in the future.
In 2019, Yang made a guest appearance on NBC sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, portraying Theo Lorql.
In 2023, he starred in the animated Netflix film Nimona as Ambrosius Goldenloin.
Yang has announced that his YA fiction writing debut will be a two-part queer fantasy epic called The Unders, with the first book scheduled to release in spring 2025.