Filipino Canadian actor Manny Jacinto, star of Freakier Friday is known for his breakout role as Jason Mendoza in The Good Place. He continues to highlight Filipino representation in Hollywood through his work. (Photo Credit: The Walt Disney Studios / Instagram)
Filipino Canadian actor Manny Jacinto is embracing his heritage while taking on one of his most prominent studio roles yet. Speaking about Disney’s new film Freakier Friday, Jacinto said that being able to represent the Filipino community on a global stage “means the world,” adding that he hopes to “continue to represent well.”
A Major Studio Role
In Freakier Friday—the long-awaited sequel to the 2003 hit—Jacinto plays Eric Reyes, a widowed British chef and father who becomes the romantic interest of Lindsay Lohan’s character, Anna Coleman. The movie reunites Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis under director Nisha Ganatra and introduces a new multigenerational body-swap storyline. Disney confirmed the title and August 2025 release, positioning the film as one of the studio’s headline projects of the year.
The film opened in U.S. theaters earlier in early August and heading into its third weekend.
Correcting Past Missteps
The project has been notable for its efforts to update aspects of the original film that previously drew criticism for stereotyped depictions of Asian culture. Ganatra acknowledged those shortcomings, saying the creative team wanted to “make it right.” Jacinto echoed that view, noting that while he initially had concerns about how the franchise had handled Asian representation, the sequel approached the material with greater cultural awareness.
Background of Manny Jacinto
Manuel Luis Jacinto, known professionally as Manny Jacinto, was born on August 19, 1987, in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated with his family to Canada at age three, growing up in Richmond, British Columbia.
He earned a civil engineering degree from the University of British Columbia, but his passion for performance eventually drew him to acting.
Jacinto began with guest appearances on shows like Once Upon a Time, Supernatural, The 100, and iZombie, while also honing his stage presence through hip-hop dance. His breakthrough came in 2016 as Jason Mendoza on NBC’s The Good Place, a role that made him a fan favorite and highlighted his comedic timing.
Since then, he has built a versatile career across genres, appearing in Top Gun: Maverick (2022) as Lt. Billy “Fritz” Avalone, Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers (2021) alongside Nicole Kidman, Netflix’s Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021), Disney+’s Star Wars series The Acolyte (2024), and now headlining Disney’s Freakier Friday (2025).
Beyond acting, Jacinto has emphasized the importance of Filipino and Asian representation in Hollywood, openly discussing how he grew up rarely seeing actors who looked like him. His engagement to Canadian actress Dianne Doan, known for Disney’s Descendants films, has also brought him into the spotlight as part of a rising generation of Asian talent in North America.
Box Office Performance
Freakier Friday debuted with a strong $28.6 million domestic opening weekend and about $45 million worldwide. By its second weekend, it had added another $14.5 million domestically, and as of August 20, its cumulative gross stands at roughly $92 million worldwide—already surpassing its reported $42–45 million production budget.
Industry analysts say the film is on pace to surpass $100 million worldwide during its theatrical run, underscoring its commercial success.
Why Representation Matters
Jacinto’s remarks resonate beyond standard film promotion. His casting highlights how Filipino and Asian actors are increasingly taking central roles in Hollywood blockbusters while studios revisit past portrayals with a more respectful lens. For Jacinto, the role is not just another career step, but an affirmation of heritage, visibility, and the responsibility of representation.
