Ralph Ahn was an actor best known for playing the mostly silent grandfather figure Tran on “New Girl.”
- Died: February 26, 2022 (Who else died on February 26?)
- Details of death: Died in Los Angeles at the age of 95.
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Life and career
Born to a family of Korean independence activists who were some of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S., Ahn grew up in California and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He became an actor after returning home from the war, with 1950s appearances in TV shows including “Terry and the Pirates” and such movies as “Prisoner of War.” Ahn took a break from acting in the 1960s, working as a high school teacher and football coach. When he returned to acting, his career began picking up in the 1980s and ‘90s, with TV appearances including “The Golden Girls,” “All-American Girl,” “Walker, Texas Ranger,” and “ER.” He had small movie roles in “Lawnmower Man II: Beyond Cyberspace,” “Amityville: A New Generation,” and “Panther.” Ahn’s best-known role began in the 2012 first season of “New Girl.” His character, Tran, became a friend to Nick, played by Jake Johnson, after a chance meeting in the park. In a recurring role over seven episodes, Tran became a fan favorite while almost never speaking, communicating through gestures and facial expressions. But his only two lines were legendary to fans of the show: “You are a huge baby” and “Drive.”
Ahn on his family
“My parents came over to the United States to get an education in teaching so that they could go back and bring Korea into the modern world. [My father] knew that the national character of Korea should be strong. Korea had to be strong with truth, integrity and love. That was a great motivator.” —from a 2019 interview for the Korea Times
Tributes to Ralph Ahn
Full obituary: People
