TORONTO, ON (February 19, 2026) – Award-winning screen and stage actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee will be presented with ACTRA Toronto’s 2026 Award of Excellence at the 24th ACTRA Awards in Toronto, which will take place during a star-studded evening ceremony on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Koerner Hall at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning.
“I’m incredibly honoured to receive this recognition from ACTRA Toronto and humbled to find myself in the company of so many extraordinary human beings and performers,” says Paul Sun-Hyung Lee.
“In addition to entertaining us in numerous roles in both Canadian and international productions, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee has continued to advocate for authentic representation on screen to give a voice to underrepresented communities working in Canada’s screen industries,” says ACTRA Toronto President Kate Ziegler. “We are delighted to recognize Paul as ACTRA Toronto’s 2026 Award of Excellence recipient.”
Born in South Korea before emigrating with his parents to Canada at the age of three months, Paul’s family eventually settled in Calgary. Paul moved to Toronto in 1990 to study drama at the University of Toronto and pursue an acting career.
Notable roles include General Iroh in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, Captain Carson Teva in The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka, Albert Choi in Murdoch Mysteries (seasons 18 and 19), and the gruff-yet-lovable Appa in the hit sitcom Kim’s Convenience (he also originated the role in the theatre production).
Paul is the winner of four Canadian Screen Awards, a Governor General Performing Arts Award, a Best Actor Toronto Theatre Critics Award, a Members’ Choice Series Ensemble ACTRA Award (Kim’s Convenience), and he has received a Canadian Award of Distinction.
In addition to acting, Paul is also a cosplayer and collector who has built his own proton pack, owns way too many nerdy treasures, and runs a YouTube channel (Bitterasiandude Inc.) where he unboxes collectibles, talks pop culture and proudly waves his nerd flag.
ACTRA Toronto’s Award of Excellence recognizes a distinguished ACTRA Toronto performer whose outstanding career achievements as a performer are matched by a significant volunteer contribution to the industry and the ongoing work of ACTRA Toronto to improve the lives of its members.
ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing over 15,000 of Canada’s 30,000 professional performers working in recorded media in Canada. An advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven union that continues to secure rights and respect for the work of professional performers.
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Media kit is available on Dropbox.
Watch the Sizzle Reel.
Media Contact: Jennifer McGibbon, Public Relations Officer, 416-642-6710, jmcgibbon@actratoronto.com