Henry Golding bio, wife, children, age, height, ethnicity, career path 2025

Henry Golding Biography

Henry Golding is a breakout Asian actor who shot to fame with his starring role in the hit comedy "Crazy Rich Asians". After that breakout performance, top directors came calling, and he quickly landed major roles in big-budget films like "Last Christmas", "The Gentlemen", and "Snake Eyes".

Childhood and Early Years

The future star was born in Betong, a town in Malaysia's Sarawak state on the western coast of Borneo Island. His father, Clive Golding, is of British descent, while his mother, Margaret Likan Golding, is a Malaysian native from the Iban tribe.

Henry Golding as a child with his mother

When Henry turned three, the family moved to Terengganu (eastern part of Malaysia) and lived there for about five years. Later, the Golding family relocated to Surrey, England, where Henry attended Warwick School in Redhill.

At first, he struggled to adapt to his new surroundings. He was often teased about his foreign accent, which he still hasn't completely lost. Eventually, Henry settled into English life, but he still missed the warm tropical climate, turquoise waters, and wild jungles teeming with exotic animals.

Henry Golding Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions

At sixteen, he started working at a local hair salon. He excelled in the field and soon moved to London, landing a job as a stylist at a high-end salon on Sloane Street. He built a reputation as a top-tier professional, winning industry competitions and attracting wealthy, influential clients.

But Henry's ambitions extended beyond the service industry, despite its stability and good money. Several media personalities among his clients encouraged him to try acting in film or television. London's entertainment scene was brutally competitive, making it nearly impossible for an unknown Asian actor without industry connections to break through. Therefore, Henry decided to return to his homeland and pursue opportunities in the local film industry.

Career in Malaysia

Armed with a makeshift business card, he made his way to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's bustling capital. Soon enough, he landed a spot at a cable entertainment channel and started getting the hang of his new career.

Henry Golding is a successful actor of Asian descent

From 2007 to 2010, he hosted "The 8TV Quickie" – those fun little segments between shows that kept viewers hooked with quizzes and call-ins.

In 2009, he snagged a small part in the comedy "Pisau Cukur" and took over hosting duties for "Goda." From 2011 to 2012, he presented the sports program "Football Crazy."

After making his mark on the local scene, Henry scored invitations to host travel shows for BBC and Discovery Channel Asia. Throughout these on-screen adventures, Golding opened viewers' eyes to Malaysian culture and traditions, even sharing stories about the ancient Iban tribe – a connection he carries with him through a tattoo on his left thigh.

Roles in Hollywood

The young actor's major breakthrough came when he landed the lead role in the American comedy "Crazy Rich Asians" (2018), directed by Jon M. Chu.

Crazy Rich Asians - Henry Golding and Jon M. Chu - Talks at Google

Henry hesitated to audition, worried about his lack of experience. Only after his wife convinced him did he show up to the casting, where he was immediately chosen to play Nick Young, the boyfriend of the main character who, to her shock, turns out to be heir to one of Singapore's wealthiest families.

The comedy was Hollywood's first big-budget film with a predominantly Asian cast that wasn't about martial arts. The movie earned Golden Globe and Satellite Award nominations and received positive reviews from the Producers Guild of America.

That same year saw the world premiere of Paul Feig's mystery thriller "A Simple Favor." In this film, Henry played the husband of the main character, portrayed by "Gossip Girl" star Blake Lively. The movie was a hit with audiences, grossing nearly $100 million.

Paul Feig was so impressed with Golding's performance that he cast him in his next project, the romantic comedy "Last Christmas" (2019). Henry played Tom, the boyfriend of the main character (played by Emilia Clarke), who meets her right before Christmas and completely changes her life. The film featured George Michael's music, with renowned British actress Emma Thompson serving as screenwriter and co-producer.

Henry Golding Spills Details About His Last Christmas Rom-Com with Emilia Clarke

Henry's next role came in the British drama "Monsoon" (2019), where he played a Vietnamese immigrant forced to flee his homeland because of war. Thirty years later, he returns to scatter his parents' ashes, rediscovering Asia and reconnecting with his roots.

Henry Golding talks about his new film, 'Monsoon'

That same year saw the release of Guy Ritchie's new crime-action film "The Gentlemen," in which Golding played a key role. He shared the screen with actors like Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant, and other renowned stars. The film was poised to be one of the year's biggest cinematic events. Ritchie had been developing the film's concept for nearly a decade, drawing on his cult classics "Snatch" and "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels." Golding played a ruthless Chinese gangster nicknamed Dry Eye.

The actor was also busy filming the sequel to "Crazy Rich Asians," the comedy that made him a global superstar.

In early 2020, filming wrapped up for Robert Schwentke's action-adventure "Snake Eyes", the third installment of the GI Joe franchise. Golding played the lead role as the mysterious agent nicknamed Snake Eyes.

Henry Golding's Personal Life

Henry Golding's love story reads like a romantic comedy script. He met his significant other at a New Year's Eve party in Singapore in 2010. Liv Lo, like Henry, is of mixed Asian and European heritage and grew up in Japan working as a model and TV host. Later, she moved to Taiwan, where she taught yoga and opened her own fitness school.

The pair hit it off immediately. If Liv Lo hadn't been so bold, their relationship might never have gotten off the ground. Noticing Henry's shyness, Liv made the first move—she gave him her number and arranged a date for the next day. When they had to part ways, Golding promised he'd always be there for Liv when she needed him.

Three months later, Liv saw him make good on that promise when an earthquake triggered a nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan. Henry immediately flew in to help and took Liv back with him to Malaysia. From that moment on, they were inseparable. Golding introduced Liv to his family and was deeply moved when she began to call his parents "mom" and "dad".

Despite their strong connection, they didn't officially tie the knot until 2016. A year before the big day, Golding underwent a traditional Iban tribal rite of passage and got a family tattoo resembling intertwined fig tree branches.

In April 2021, they welcomed their daughter Lyla, and in October 2023, their daughter Florence was born.

Henry Golding Now

In 2022, Henry Golding starred in the Netflix romance "Persuasion" alongside Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Jarvis. In 2023, he took on the lead role in the action movie "Assassin Club" with Noomi Rapace.

Henry Golding in the movie 'Assassin Club'