Daniel Dae Kim, star of Lost and Hawaii Five-0, is making headlines again—this time for his sons, Zander and Jackson, who are pursuing careers in entertainment and the arts. The 57-year-old actor's eldest son, Zander, 27, works at his father's production company, 3AD, and is launching a literary magazine called The Barley Field. Meanwhile, Jackson, 23, is a model signed to State Management and an internet influencer.
The brothers' career choices have reignited the 'nepo baby' debate, with critics arguing their father's fame has opened doors. Daniel addressed working with Zander in 2025, telling People: 'I think it's a nice way for us to stay in touch because it's not always easy when people have busy lives. My family is close and so it's nice that we have one more point of connection.'
Jackson, who graduated from New York University in 2024, defended his modelling career in a 2024 statement: 'Modelling may seem unfulfilling or unsubstantial to some... but it's only one chapter and one aspect of me and my aspirations. I know what it's already done for my confidence and social & networking skills, and at the end of the day, it's something I really enjoy doing.'
Daniel, who earned his MFA from NYU in 1996, attended the Butterfly premiere with Jackson. The actor has also made history as the first Asian American to be nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play, for his role in Yellow Face. In 2021, he testified before Congress in support of the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, urging lawmakers to protect Asian Americans from violence.
