Jason Keng-Kwin Chan (born 1 December 1971) is a Malaysia-born Australian actor best known for his role as Cameron Watanabe, the Green Samurai Ranger, as well as his clone, Cyber Cam, in Power Rangers: Ninja Storm. He is co-founder of BananaMana Films, a Singaporean studio that produces Asian dramas in English for global distribution.

Early life and education

Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Chan is of Chinese descent and moved to Perth, Western Australia with his family when he was 5 years old. He entered medical school at the University of Western Australia, but continued to pursue the creative arts, studying ballet, contemporary dance, and jazz dance at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. After graduating in 1994, he obtained his Fellowship in General Practice and worked as a general practitioner for three years before, frustrated with the demanding hours and lack of a creative outlet, he left the medical profession. attending the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, where he obtained a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts in Acting.

Career

Chan was hired as a host of the Australian version of Playhouse Disney. A year later, he was cast in Power Rangers Ninja Storm, which filmed in New Zealand. Faced with choosing one or the other, Chan recalled seeing Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and told his agent he wouldn't turn down the opportunity to be a superhero, much less on American television.

Television

In 2014, Chan appeared as co-lead in "What Do Men Want?" - a 13 x half hour romantic drama co-created and directed by himself and his business partner Christian Lee. The drama won them both an Outstanding Directing award at LA Webfest 2016 and aired on national TV in Singapore in 2014.

Chan appeared as host of Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney block which aired throughout Australia. In 2003, he then garnered a role as the Green Samurai Ranger, Cameron Watanabe, in the American TV series: Power Rangers Ninja Storm.

In Singapore he has appeared in many Mediacorp Channel 5 and Art Central productions including: My Sassy Neighbour, Six Weeks, Parental Guidance, 9 Lives, Mental and The Secret Lives of Sorry Stars. In Australia he played opposite Jaqueline Macqenzie in Two Twisted.

Chan has also played leads in German telemovies including: Love in the Lion City (2009), ' (2010), ' (2013) and House of Harmony (2005).

Theatre

In theatre, Chan debuted in the lead role of 'Kevin' in "Connie and Kevin and the Secret Life of Groceries" in Sydney, then continued in Singapore with ‘Chris’ in Action Theatre's “The Admiral’s Odyssey”, Clifford Bradshaw in Toyfactory's "Cabaret", Lysander in SRT's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Andy in SRT's "The Office Party", Claudio in SRT's "Much Ado About Nothing" and Marc in The Ensemble Theatre's production of "ART".

References

  • http://www.BananaManaFilms.com
  • http://www.aadb.com.sg/jason/