Biography - Jon M. Chu

Who is Jon M. Chu?

Jon M. Chu is a producer, director, and screenwriter.

Jon M. Chu – Age, Parents, Siblings

Jon M. Chu’s life started with his birth on November 2, 1979. Named Jonathan Murray Chu, his birthplace is in Palo Alto, California, U.S.A. His mother Ruth Chu was born in Taiwan while his father, Lawrence Chu, a famous chef was born in Sichuan. His parents are the owner of the restaurant Chef Chu's located in Los Altos. 

Jon M. Chu has four older siblings - brothers Larry Chu Jr., Howard Chu, and sisters Christina Chu, and Jennifer Chu.

Growing up he took lessons in piano, drums, saxophone, violin, and guitar. His parents did not encourage them to take over the family business at the restaurant but rather set them up on their own career paths.

Education, Ethnicity

He was a student of Pinewood School and was educated there all the way from kindergarten to high school. After graduation, he attended the University of Southern California of Cinema-Television.

His ethnicity is Chinese.

Jon M. Chu – Girlfriend, Wife, Children, Divorce

Jon M. Chu dated Kristin Hodge, a graphic designer for a long time. He married his girlfriend turned fiancé on July 27, 2018, in Napa Valley. 

The couple has a daughter together, named Willow Amelia Chu, who was born on July 16, 2017, before their marriage while their son Jonathan Heights Chu was born in July 2019. They are living a blissful marriage with their daughter Willow Amelia Chu and their pet dog.

Also read: Tony Goldwyn - Actor, Singer, Producer, Director

Jon M. Chu – Career

Early Days

After completing his schooling, Jon M. Chu made his student short, When the Kids Are Away. Recognizing his talent Steven Spielberg was signed to William Morris Agency. There he worked on numerous high-profile projects.

Soon, he was hired by Sony Pictures as a director for Bye Bye Birdie. But the movie never made it into production due to budget issues. 

Similar was the case with The Great Gatsby, which was later bought by Warner Bros. and made into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, Jason Clarke, Adelaide Clemens, Callan McAuliffe, Richard Carter, Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Debicki, among others.

Also read: Ang Lee - Director, Screenwriter 

Films, Series

Jon M. Chu has worked in several movies as a director, producer, and writer. He directed, produced, and wrote Silent Beats (2001), and The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers (2010-2011) while producing Step Up: Revolution (2012) and Step Up: All In (2012). Chu is also a producer and director of When the Kids Are Away (2002), Jem and the Holograms (2015), and Good Trouble (2019-present).

The shows/movies in which he has shown his directorial skills are Step Up 2: The Streets (2008), Step Up 3D (2010), Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), Justin Bieber's Believe (2013), Now You See Me 2 (2016), Crazy Rich Asians (2018).

Although he had directed numerous award-winning movies, he had not reached his breakthrough phase. All this changed when Crazy Rich Asians became the top-grossing movie of 2018, earning $35M at the US box office. 

Jon M. Chu is also a dancer and is a member of the dance crew AC/DC a.k.a. Adam/Chu Dance Crew.

Also read: Alice Wu - Director, Screenwriter 

Co-stars

Its sequel China Rich Girlfriend is already in development and follows the journey of its main character portrayed by actors Henry Golding, Constance Wu, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Nico Santos, and Kris Aquino.

Jon M. Chu directed the movie In the Heights released on June 18, 2021. The movie is set to cast actors Andrea Burns, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janet Dacal, Robin de Jesús, Mandy Gonzalez, Joshua Henry, and Christopher Jackson among others.

Jon M. Chu – Awards, Nominations

Jon M. Chu is yet to win nominations and awards for his professional work but has won awards during his college days.

Whereas for his other awards, he won the Princess Grace Award, and the Dore Schary Award, and was an honoree for the IFP/West program titled Project: Involve.

Jon M. Chu – Net Worth, Salary

The net worth of Chu is estimated to be around $16 million while the figure on his annual salary is under review.

Jon M. Chu – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Jon M. Chu is followed by over a million followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Also read: Josh Stolberg - Director, Screenwriter, Photographer, Producer