Harry Shum Jr. is an American actor, dancer and choreographer who is one of the most versatile performers of his generation. He first rose to prominence as an in-demand professional dancer before becoming widely known for his role as Mike Chang on the hit musical series Glee, and later as the warlock Magnus Bane in the fantasy series Shadowhunters. A gifted, athletic performer equally at home in dance, drama and comedy, he has appeared in acclaimed films including Crazy Rich Asians and the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, and in 2026 he returned to his dance roots as a competitor on Dancing With the Stars.
Harry Shum Jr. Biography, Wiki
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Harry Shum Jr. |
| Chinese Name | 岑勇康 |
| Date of Birth | 28 April 1982 |
| Age (2026) | 44 years |
| Birthplace | Limón, Costa Rica |
| Nationality | American |
| Heritage | Chinese (Costa Rican-born) |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Profession | Actor, dancer, choreographer |
| Spouse | Shelby Rabara (married 2015) |
Harry Shum Jr. Details
| Area | Detail |
| Dance | A professional dancer for major recording artists |
| Breakthrough | Mike Chang on the musical series Glee |
| Television | Played Magnus Bane on Shadowhunters |
| Film | Roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Everything Everywhere |
| Awards | A SAG Award winner in ensemble casts |
| 2026 | A competitor on Dancing With the Stars |
Harry Shum Jr. Events
| Year | Event |
| 28 April 1982 | Born in Limón, Costa Rica |
| 2000s | Worked as a professional backup dancer |
| 2009 to 2015 | Played Mike Chang on Glee |
| 2016 to 2019 | Starred as Magnus Bane on Shadowhunters |
| 2018 | Appeared in Crazy Rich Asians |
| 2022 | Appeared in Everything Everywhere All at Once |
| 2026 | Competed on Dancing With the Stars Season 35 |
Harry Shum Jr. Early Life
Harry Shum Jr. was born on 28 April 1982 in Limón, Costa Rica, to Chinese immigrant parents, and his family later moved to California, where he grew up. Initially drawn to theatre and sports, he discovered a passion for dance during his teenage years after auditioning for his high school dance team. He pursued dance with dedication, developing the elite skills that would launch his career in the entertainment industry, first as a performer and choreographer and later as an actor.
Harry Shum Jr. Dance Career
Harry Shum Jr. first earned international recognition as one of the most accomplished dancers in the entertainment industry. He toured and performed as a backup dancer for some of the world’s biggest recording artists, including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and others, and appeared in numerous high-profile live performances, music videos and commercials, including a memorable series of iPod advertisements as a dancing silhouette. He also worked as a dancer in films such as You Got Served, Stomp the Yard and Step Up 2: The Streets, establishing himself before his transition to acting.
Harry Shum Jr. Acting Career
Harry Shum Jr.’s Breakthrough on Glee
Harry Shum Jr. achieved his acting breakthrough with his role as Mike Chang on the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. Initially introduced as a background dancer and guest star, he was promoted to a series regular, ultimately appearing in around 90 episodes over the show’s six seasons from 2009 to 2015. The role allowed him to blend his exceptional dancing with dramatic and comedic acting, introducing him to a global audience and helping to redefine the place of dance on network television.
Harry Shum Jr. on Shadowhunters
Harry Shum Jr. took on another major television role as the warlock Magnus Bane in the Freeform fantasy series Shadowhunters, based on Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments books, which ran from 2016 to 2019. His portrayal of the charismatic character was widely praised and contributed to the series being honoured with a GLAAD Media Award, and he earned recognition at the People’s Choice Awards for the role. The part further established him as a leading and beloved figure among fantasy-television audiences.
Harry Shum Jr.’s Film Career
Harry Shum Jr. built an impressive film career alongside his television work. He appeared in the landmark romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians, which featured a groundbreaking all-Asian cast, and had a memorable supporting role in the A24 film Everything Everywhere All at Once, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. His other films include the romantic dramas All My Life and Broadcast Signal Intrusion, and the Netflix holiday comedy Love Hard, and in 2026 he starred as Andy in the Netflix hit Voicemails for Isabelle, which topped the streaming charts.
Harry Shum Jr. and Dancing With the Stars
Harry Shum Jr. returned to his dance origins in 2026 when he joined the cast of the thirty-fifth season of the celebrity dance competition Dancing With the Stars, partnered with the professional dancer Jenna Johnson. His casting drew some discussion given his extensive dance background, which he addressed by noting the distinct challenges of learning ballroom styles, and he made a strong early impression in the competition. His participation brought his career full circle, showcasing the dance talent with which he first made his name.
Harry Shum Jr.’s Other Work
Harry Shum Jr. has expanded his creative work into other areas. Early in his career he starred in, produced and co-choreographed Jon M. Chu’s innovative digital dance series The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. In 2024 he ventured into children’s publishing, co-authoring the picture book Martee Dares to Dance with his wife, actress Shelby Rabara, inspired by their shared love of movement. He has also been committed to community engagement, supporting organisations dedicated to equity in education and children’s literacy.
Harry Shum Jr. Personal Life
Harry Shum Jr. is married to the actress and dancer Shelby Rabara, whom he wed in 2015, and the couple have children together and collaborated on their children’s book. Of Chinese heritage and born in Costa Rica before growing up in the United States, he has spoken about his multicultural background and has been an advocate for Asian representation in entertainment. He has generally balanced his high-profile career with a family-focused personal life and his community and advocacy work.
Harry Shum Jr. Height and Physical Profile
Harry Shum Jr. stands 6 feet, or 1.83 metres, tall, and his athletic, dancer’s physique has been central to his identity as a performer. His exceptional physical ability, honed through years as an elite dancer, has been a defining feature of his roles across television, film and stage, allowing him to bring a distinctive movement and energy to his work.
Harry Shum Jr. Net Worth and Earnings
Harry Shum Jr. has built a solid income over his long and successful career across dance, television, film, publishing and other ventures. While various sources offer estimates of his net worth in the millions of dollars, a precise, reliably verified figure is not firmly established, so this profile does not assert a single definitive number. His income derives from his acting and dancing roles, his choreography and production work, his book and his other projects. Because published figures vary, any estimate should be treated with caution.
| Source | Detail |
| Net worth | Estimated in the millions (varies, treat with caution) |
| Main income sources | His acting, dancing, choreography and other ventures |
Harry Shum Jr. Social Media
Harry Shum Jr. maintains an active and popular presence on social media, where he shares his acting and dance projects, his family life and his advocacy with his followers.
| Platform | Handle | Notes |
| @harryshumjr | Career and personal content | |
| Website | harryshumjr.com | Official information |
Harry Shum Jr. Controversies
No significant personal controversy involving Harry Shum Jr. surfaced in the material examined for this profile. His 2026 casting on Dancing With the Stars drew some debate over his dance background, a common discussion for contestants with dance experience, which he addressed directly, but this was a matter of ordinary reality-competition discussion rather than any personal controversy. Coverage of him has otherwise focused on his acting and dancing career.
Lesser Known Facts About Harry Shum Jr.
- He was born in Limón, Costa Rica, to Chinese immigrant parents.
- He grew up in California and took up dance in his teens.
- He was a backup dancer for stars like Beyoncé and Mariah Carey.
- He appeared in the famous iPod silhouette advertisements.
- He played Mike Chang for six seasons on Glee.
- He appeared in the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once.
- He co-authored a children’s book with his wife in 2024.
Harry Shum Jr. FAQ
Who is Harry Shum Jr.?
He is an American actor, dancer and choreographer, known for Glee, Shadowhunters, Crazy Rich Asians and Everything Everywhere All at Once.
How old is Harry Shum Jr.?
Born on 28 April 1982, he is 44 years old in 2026.
What is Harry Shum Jr. best known for?
He is best known for playing Mike Chang on Glee and Magnus Bane on Shadowhunters, and for his film roles and dance career.
Is Harry Shum Jr. on Dancing With the Stars?
Yes, he is competing on Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars in 2026, partnered with professional dancer Jenna Johnson.
What movies has Harry Shum Jr. been in?
His films include Crazy Rich Asians, Everything Everywhere All at Once, All My Life, Love Hard and Voicemails for Isabelle.
Where was Harry Shum Jr. born?
He was born in Limón, Costa Rica, to Chinese immigrant parents, and grew up in California.
Who is Harry Shum Jr. married to?
He is married to the actress and dancer Shelby Rabara, with whom he co-authored a children’s book.
Was Harry Shum Jr. a professional dancer?
Yes, before acting he was a sought-after backup dancer for major recording artists and appeared in dance films.
How tall is Harry Shum Jr.?
He stands 6 feet, or 1.83 metres, tall.
What was Harry Shum Jr.’s role in Glee?
He played Mike Chang, a role that grew from a background dancer to a series regular over six seasons.
Sources
IMDb, Harry Shum Jr.,
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1484270/
ABC, Dancing with the Stars, Harry Shum Jr.,
https://abc.com/cast/0ee91af3-328a-4628-be63-25018e96b247
NW Asian Weekly, Harry Shum Jr. joins ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 cast,
https://nwasianweekly.com/2026/09/harry-shum-jr-joins-dancing-with-the-stars-season-35-cast/