Avatar's Young Zuko Jordan Roberto Chien: The Rise of a Filipino-Taiwanese Star

Filipino and Taiwanese-rooted young talent Jordan Roberto Chien has seized the biggest opportunity of his career by portraying Prince Zuko’s childhood in the second season of Netflix’s globally resonant series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Announced as being based in Los Angeles, CA, this development ensured Chien won the hearts of viewers not only with his talent but also with his instructional and emotional scene performance. Fans of the series received the sincere and impressive portrayal he gave regarding Zuko’s tragic past with great appreciation. Jordan’s this success moved him from being just a new face to being a part of one of television’s most striking transformation stories. This role has gone down in history as a critical turning point enabling him to make a name for himself on international platforms.

In the series’ 2nd Episode, “A Fight Once Begun”, viewers had the chance to witness the rivalry between Young Zuko and his sister Young Azula (Cordelia Chao) up close, understanding the complex family dynamics of the Fire Nation better. Under the rule of Daniel Dae Kim in the role of Fire Lord Ozai, Jordan brought the young prince’s scream to the screen the moment he was forcibly separated from his mother Ursa (Lily Gao), deeply affecting the audience. This scene was a moment that laid the foundations for Zuko character’s future journey and one of the most iconic walks of redemption in television history. Jordan’s performance created a lasting impact that fans would not forget long after the episode ended. His emotional depth prepared a solid ground for the character's story.

Jordan’s success is associated not only with his individual talent but also with coming from an artistic family. His mother Josephine “Banig” Roberto is a name who proudly represented the Philippines as the International Star Search Champion in 1988 and achieved great fame in the United States. Josephine, who won hearts with her big voice at just seven years old under the stage name “Banig”, guides her son Jordan’s journey in the art world. Stating that her son obtaining this opportunity is something beyond her dreams and that they will cherish this experience for a lifetime as a mother, Jordan exhibits a solid stance despite the competitive structure of the sector with his family's full support.

Jordan Roberto Chien’s acting career actually started at much younger ages, with a commercial he shot for Los Angeles Lakers and Jack in the Box when he was five years old. The young actor, who took part in campaigns of giant brands like Disneyland, Mattel and Seventh Generation, also appeared before the audience in an eBay commercial aired during the 2025 MLB World Series. Jordan, who worked on Bryce Dallas Howard’s Disney+ documentary “Pets” and starred in Audrey Nuna’s music video “Cellulite”, also gained experience in the voice-over field. He conveyed his talent in different fields by voicing young characters in Korean dramas on Hulu and Disney+ platforms, especially in productions like “Would You Marry Me?” and “Moving”.

Aiming to solidify his place in Hollywood with his signature long hair and charming smile, Jordan relies on both his mother’s guidance and his family's unwavering support. Despite the pressures experienced as a young actor especially in the social media age, Jordan’s professional attitude and passion for his work stand out the moment he steps onto sets. Although he is an ordinary child who loves playing games on his iPad, spending time with his friends and hanging out with his dogs Billy and Benji, he exhibits the seriousness of his work to the same extent when he gets in front of the camera. His star, which was already shining with his performance in Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2, looks like it will be even brighter with future projects.