Young Mazino Signs With CAA After Emmy Nod, Fueling a Hollywood Breakout

Young Mazino has officially signed with Creative Artists Agency, a move that cements the rising actor’s status as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand new talents following an Emmy-nominated breakout and a fast-growing slate of film, television and video game projects.

The news, confirmed exclusively by The Hollywood Reporter, lands at a pivotal moment for Young Mazino, whose career has accelerated rapidly since his star turn as Paul Cho in Netflix and A24’s dark comedy “Beef.” That performance, opposite Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, earned him an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a limited series and opened doors that had previously been shut to the Asian-American actor, who spent years in smaller television roles on shows like “Blindspot,” “New Amsterdam” and “Blue Bloods” before his breakthrough.

From Supporting Roles to Leading Man: Young Mazino’s Rise

Mazino’s trajectory mirrors a broader shift in Hollywood casting, where streaming hits have increasingly become launching pads for actors who once struggled to land substantial roles. After “Beef” put him on the map, Mazino landed the role of Jesse in the second season of HBO’s acclaimed drama “The Last of Us,” created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, further raising his profile among prestige television audiences.

He also appeared alongside Ayo Edebiri in A24’s psychological thriller “Opus,” written and directed by Mark Anthony Green, adding another credit to a filmography that increasingly leans toward buzzy, critically watched projects rather than one-off guest spots.

A Packed Slate Across Film, TV and Gaming

The CAA signing comes as Young Mazino’s workload spans multiple entertainment mediums simultaneously. He currently stars in “Via Negativa,” director Hannah Peterson’s adaptation of Daniel Hornsby’s novel of the same name, which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Festival to industry attention. He is also lending his voice to the character Gef in Netflix’s animated feature “Steps,” appearing alongside Ali Wong and Stephanie Hsu when the film premieres in November.

Perhaps most notably for fans outside traditional film and television circles, Mazino is stepping into the video game world as the voice and motion-capture performer behind Private Park, the lead protagonist of Activision’s highly anticipated “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4,” slated for release on October 23. The role marks a significant crossover moment, placing Young Mazino at the center of one of gaming’s most commercially dominant franchises and signaling studios’ growing interest in casting recognizable screen actors for motion-capture leads.

What the CAA Deal Signals

Representation shifts like this one are often read by industry insiders as a bellwether for where an actor’s career is headed next. Signing with a major agency like CAA typically precedes a wave of higher-profile film offers, awards-season campaigns, and brand partnerships, suggesting that Young Mazino’s team is positioning him for an even bigger few years ahead.

Mazino will continue to be represented by Gerald Lee at 1V1 Entertainment, Stephanie Moy at M88, and Michael Auerbach at Jackoway Austen, alongside his new partnership with CAA and continued work with Narrative PR. For an actor who spent years in background and supporting parts before his “Beef” breakout, the combination of awards recognition, prestige television, acclaimed independent film and a tentpole video game franchise suggests Hollywood has taken notice — and that Young Mazino’s rise is only accelerating.

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