Masi Oka News (Page 2)

Masi Oka has been named global ambassador for One Laptop per Child (OLPC).

It's a non-profit organization launched in 2005 with a mission of providing a means for learning, self-expression and exploration to the nearly two billion children of the developing world with little or no access to education.

"Being a part of a global effort that is enabling children to learn, grow and succeed in life is both tremendously gratifying and important to me," said Oka. "I'm very excited about this opportunity to represent One Laptop per Child and bring my love of technology and education to the global community.

I believe that it is incredibly important to enable access to learning for all children so that every child has the opportunity to create a better life for themselves, their family and their society."

Masi Oka certainly has no shame about being labeled a geek.

He discussed this and other issues during a recent interview with Radar Online. Here are a few highlights from the talk:

Q: Do you think that, thanks to you, geeks around the world now have an easier time of getting laid?
A: I think I can probably help give people confidence and help them be more open about expressing who they are. But I'm bad with women.

Q: Oh come on...
A: No, I'm pretty bad. But Heroes definitely helped me improve my social skills, and helped me not get rejected so much.

Q: Your character in Heroes, Hiro Nakamura, is the comic relief of a mostly dark show. He takes his superhero responsibilities seriously and has a clear vision of what's good and bad. Do you see morality in those black-and-white terms?
A: There are things that are black and white for me, but I'm always open to the possibility of looking at it from another person's point of view. What might be right for you may not be right for some. Oh God, I'm about to sing the Different Strokes song! [singing] A man is born, he's a man of means. What am I doing? I must be really tired.

But you know, it's the people who think differently that change the world. Even the villains, in their mind they were doing something right. In no way am I advocating Hitler, but he changed the world. For the worse, but in his mind he was changing it for the good. And I absolutely do not agree with what he did, but I'm open to the idea that there are thoughts out there like his.

Click here to read the full interview.

Masi Oka is hilarious.

The Heroes actor was recently featured in the magazine Geek Monthly - and he takes pride in being labeled a geek or a nerd.

"A geek is someone who is passionate about something," he said in a long interview that you can read now. "It can be about anything. It can be about musicals. It can be about computers. It can be about our show. And you can be passionate about more than one thing. I would rather be passionate about something than apathetic about everything. To be Geek is to be human."

So profound.

Meanwhile, check out the following Masi Oka photos from the article. We dare you not to laugh as you look at each one...

During an interview on Friday with Ellen DeGeneres, the talk show host jokingly (we assume) grilled Heroes star Masi Oka about his Emmy date – and new costar – Kristen Bell.

"Is there a little something going on?" Ellen asked about their relationship, as reported by People magazine.

A shy Oka responded: "Kristin is an absolutely amazing individual both on and off screen. We're great friends. Everyone has a crush on her."

Oh, really, Masi? No wonder DeGeneres pressed on, ribbing the actor and inquiring: "So you do have a crush on her?"

"Everyone does," Oka replied, laughing when DeGeneres would not drop it. "Is she a good kisser or not?" she asked.

As audience members cracked up, Oka simply said: "I'm sure she is."

Hmmm... maybe we should add these two to the Heroes gossip mill, along with Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia.

With the Heroes season two premiere just a few days away, look who's landed the cover of this week's Entertainment Weekly.

Masi Oka is going all samurai on us...

Masi Oka did not win an Emmy Award Sunday night. But he did take the stage during the ceremony:

Similarly, Ali Larter wasn't even nominated for Best Looking Actress with Dual Personalities. Still, she presented an award alongside 24 star Kiefer Sutherland:

When it comes to matters of the heart or the paparazzi, Masi Oka doesn't need to look far for advice.

His Heroes co-star may only be 18, but Hayden Panettiere has been through it all. Despite her break-up with Laguna Beach alum Stephen Colletti, Hayden is a reliable source for all the words of wisdom Oka requires.

"[Stephen] was a good guy," Oka, 32, told People magazine during the Emmy celebrations over the weekend. "But I'm really in no place to give her advice because I'm looking for love myself and I haven't had much luck there. I'm single and available.

Masi went on to say that the actress who portrays Claire Bennet is the one that helps him out in a pinch.

"She's the one that gives advice," Oka said. "I remember one day we went to this premiere and I didn't realize it was a press event and they were taking pictures and Hayden came up to me and said 'Masi, you have a hickey! We have to cover you up!' And I was like, 'Whoa. I didn't know that.' Hayden always takes care of all of us."

Oka, Panettiere, Milo Ventimiglia and the rest of the Heroes cast partied together all weekend - starting with the Emmy Nominees Reception Friday and on through Sunday night's Emmys post-parties - with Oka and Panettiere singing and dancing to Duran Duran at the Walt Disney Concert Hall following the ceremony.

We think we know who led.

Another TV critic has chimed in about the chances Masi Oka has of taking home an Emmy Award this weekend.

Simply put, Entertainment Weekly says the Heroes star will be named Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama. Here's the magazine's feature on the matter:

You'd be hard-pressed to find a television critic more respected than Matt Roush of TV Guide.

With that in mind, it's good news for Heroes fans that he believes Masi Oka will take home the Emmy this Sunday night for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.

Here's exactly what Roush had to say about the award:

A very tough call, but I'd give Heroes' delightful Masi Oka the edge. He embodies what's great about that show. Still, such terrific competition!

Lost's creepy Michael Emerson and stalwart Terry O'Quinn, The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli (dying is often a good way to get an Emmy), and Grey's Anatomy's heart-and-soul T.R. Knight are all solid choices.

Masi Oka recently gave props to Lost.

And not just because it's such a well-written, well-acted show. He also acknowledged the ABC series for helping to pave the way for Asian actors to land solid roles; the drama stars Koreans Kim Yun-jin and Daniel Dae Kim.

"There's a lot of credit that has to go to Lost for its storytelling and also the foresight and boldness to put two Asian characters on screen," Oka told The International Herald Tribune while promoting Heroes in Hong Kong with fellow cast members.

Oka said the success of Lost provided advertisers with confidence in shows with non-Caucasian actors. He added international viewers are also demanding shows with more diverse casts.

"The world wants to see things that are reflective of our global society that we have. Even in America, there are so many Asian-Americans and so many Latino-Americans," Masi said.

Another Asian cast member, Sendhil Ramamurthy, said he and Oka were fortunate.

"We were very fortunate that they went in the direction of having two Asian characters. I think there's a certain amount of luck involved, as well," he said.

Ramamurthy was born in Chicago. Oka was born in Tokyo and moved to Los Angeles as a child.

The two stars were in Hong Kong to promote Heroes with fellow actors Ali Larter and Greg Grunberg as part of an international tour that also includes stops in Tokyo, Singapore, London, Paris, Munich and Toronto.