MANILA, Philippines—No longer under the radar, Filipino-American Reggie Lee continues to land plum roles in high-profile Hollywood films.

He acted with A-listers Chow Yun-Fat and Johnny Depp in “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” and with Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in “The Fast and the Furious.”

This year, he’s sharing the screen with Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. in the hotly anticipated comedy “Tropic Thunder.”

Next year, he’ll be seen in Sam Raimi’s “Drag Me to Hell.”

In an e-mail sent to Inquirer Entertainment, he related that he loved the “Spider-Man” director’s process. “Sam actually had us rehearse a week before we started shooting — which is rare in the film industry. Also, I play a guy named Stu Rubin. Which I love because Sam had no intention of changing the name into something Asian.”

Lee earlier cut his teeth on TV shows like “Prison Break” and “Judging Amy.”

He described his stint on “Judging” as “wonderful.”

“I got to work with Tyne Daly whom I admire. We talked a lot off-camera about her New York days as she knitted — and she loved knitting,” he recalled.

Before Hollywood beckoned, he was in the cast of the national tour of “Miss Saigon.” He said, “That was eye-opening for me. I was brought up in Ohio … that was the first time I did a show with fellow Asians. It made me realize that I wasn’t the only Asian who wanted to pursue acting as a profession.”

In this e-mail, which he sent between promotions for “Tropic” and shooting with Raimi, Lee revealed that he has remained as Filipino as adobo and ube ice cream.

Is it true that you speak Tagalog? How were you able to retain your being Filipino?

Aside from my parents always speaking to me in Tagalog as I grew up, I also wanted to continually learn the language—as part of keeping my heritage. You really have to want to speak it to retain it and I’m proud that I do. I’m still learning all the Tagalog slang that keeps cropping up, though.

How Filipino are you?

My father is pure Filipino and my mother is Filipino-Chinese.

I heard you like watching Pinoy TV shows like “ASAP” and “SOP”?

Yah. I look forward to that on weekends. [These shows are] a guilty pleasure, a piece of Filipino pop culture. I love watching and listening to the talented singers on these shows. It makes me proud of the talent we have back home.

What was the last Filipino movie you saw?

Just saw “Santa Santita” and really enjoyed it. I thought it was moving.

You mentioned that Christopher de Leon and Sharon Cuneta are among your favorite actors? Why?

They seem to inhabit, in a realistic way, whatever life experience they are given and it comes across no matter what film they are doing.

Are you willing to act in a Filipino movie?

Willing to? Would love to.

What do you remember of the Philippines?

The simple way of life. Simple joys and pleasures we often lose track of. Family get-togethers, good food, going to a corner store to buy a comic book, buying taho from a street vendor and the wonderful trips to Baguio. I moved to the US when I was 6 and visited when I was 10, but I haven’t been back since.

Do you have plans of going back to the country?

I hope to visit sometime next year. I haven’t been back in over 20 years. A visit is long overdue.

What are the challenges of being a Filipino-American actor in Hollywood?

I’m incredibly proud that I’ve accomplished what I’ve accomplished as a minority in Hollywood. Especially since I feel that Filipino-Americans are the least represented in this industry.

These challenges are ones that we, as Asians, face together every day in our careers. One challenge is getting roles that are non-stereotypical. I long for roles that have a richer emotional background compared to those currently being written for Asian males. Maybe I’ll just write one.

What are your dreams as an actor?

My dream is to continue enjoying my work and to grow as an artist. I’d like to keep doing emotionally challenging roles. As for a specific project? I’d love to work with Ang Lee. That’s not too much to ask, is it?

What was it like working with Chow Yun-Fat and Johnny Depp in “Pirates”?

These guys are so generous, both as actors and as people. No ego whatsoever. On the set, their work ethic, preparation and commitment are unparalleled.

Yun-Fat actually asked me to call him “Fat Go,” which means elder brother. He really treated me like a younger sibling and taught me that I always deserve the best working conditions to accomplish good work for myself.

What was it like doing “The Fast and the Furious”?

It was my first big studio movie so it was thrilling. I learned how to ride a bike, but during the shoot, they put the bike on a flatbed truck instead of me actually riding the bike. Can’t have everything, right? Seriously, I credit director Rob Cohen for making all the actors feel topnotch.

What was it like working with Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.?

As a director, Ben respects his actors. He also has a dry sense of humor. He and his wife Christine Taylor watched “Prison Break” so he knew my work before offering the role. Jack’s so down-to-earth. My mom loved meeting him. He’s incredibly dedicated to his craft. Robert is an awesome actor who could turn it on in an instant. He’s also generous to his co-stars.

What’s your favorite Filipino food?

Oh, so many. My absolute favorites are chicken adobo, kare-kare and ube ice cream. I’m getting hungry now!

E-mail: bayanisandiego@hotmail.com