Manny Jacinto, a Filipino-Canadian actor, is best known for playing Jason Mendoza in The Good Place. He has starred in major projects like Top Gun: Maverick and Star Wars: The Acolyte. Explore his journey from Manila to Hollywood, career, and net worth.
Manny Jacinto Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Manuel Luis Jacinto |
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1987 |
| Age | 38 Years (in 2025) |
| Birthplace | Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino-Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Filipino-Chinese |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia |
| School | Vancouver College (all-boys Catholic high school) |
| Profession | Actor, Model, Voiceover Artist |
| Marital Status | Married (Dianne Doan, since 2023) |
| Net Worth (2025) | $2–4 million |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.80 meters) |
| Weight | 71 kg |
| Social Media | Instagram: @mannyjacinto |
| Awards | Gold Derby Award (2018), Leo Award nomination (2016) |
Early Life
Manny Jacinto was born on August 19, 1987, in Manila, Philippines. His full name is Manuel Luis Jacinto, and he’s of Filipino-Chinese descent. When he was three, in 1990, his family moved to Canada for better opportunities.
He grew up in Richmond, British Columbia, playing baseball and basketball. Manny went to an all-boys Catholic high school, Vancouver College, where he completed his early education. As a kid, he loved sports but hadn’t thought about acting yet.
Education
Manny earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of British Columbia. He saw it as a “backup plan” since acting wasn’t on his radar initially. During his studies, he got into hip-hop dance, which sparked his creative side. He still has the degree but never used it, as acting became his true calling.
Family
Not much is known about Manny’s family, as he keeps things private. His dad was a financial manager, and his mom was a homemaker, both from Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. There’s no clear info about siblings. His parents supported him when he left engineering for acting, though they were curious about his plans.
Personal Life and Partner
Manny’s personal life revolves around his wife, Dianne Doan, a Canadian actress known for Descendants. They met in 2015, got engaged in 2019, and married in 2023. Manny calls Dianne his biggest strength, helping him stay grounded. They live in Los Angeles, keeping their life low-key. He occasionally shares cute pics with Dianne on social media but prefers privacy.
Career
Manny’s career kicked off with dance. While interning, he joined hip-hop dance competitions, which led him to acting. Frustrated by the lack of Asian actors in Vancouver, he moved to Los Angeles. His debut was in 2012 with a short film, Broken Sword: Shadow of the Blade. He then landed small roles in shows like Once Upon a Time, Supernatural, and iZombie.
In 2015, he played Wing Lei in the Canadian spy drama The Romeo Section, earning a Leo Award nomination. His big break came in 2016 as Jason Mendoza in NBC’s The Good Place. Jason, a lovable, slightly dim EDM fan from Florida, broke stereotypes about Asian men in Hollywood, earning Manny tons of fans.
He appeared in Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) as Wade Espiritu and Top Gun: Maverick (2022) as Fritz. In 2021, he starred in Netflix’s horror drama Brand New Cherry Flavor. In 2024, he played Qimir in the Star Wars series The Acolyte. Manny voiced Scott Denoga in Disney’s Hailey’s On It! (2023–2024) and Lucan in the 2022 sci-fi podcast Marigold Breach with Good Place co-star Jameela Jamil. In 2025, he’ll star in Disney’s Freakier Friday.
Achievements and Contributions
Manny’s biggest win is his role as Jason Mendoza, earning him a 2018 Gold Derby Award for Ensemble of the Year. He was nominated for a Leo Award in 2016 for The Romeo Section.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Manny’s net worth is estimated at $2–4 million. His main income comes from acting, voiceover work, and brand endorsements.
Controversies
Manny’s career is mostly drama-free. There were rumors about his relationship with Dianne, but their 2019 engagement cleared things up, confirming he’s straight. He keeps his personal life private, avoiding controversies.
Fun Facts
- Manny left engineering for acting, asking his parents for five years to prove himself.
- He’s a skilled hip-hop dancer and competed in dance events.
- Jason Mendoza was inspired by high school friends and a YouTube video.
- He’s a fan of shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Insecure.
- His worst job was folding cardboard boxes in a warehouse for one day at 15.
- He believes storytellers should create their own opportunities instead of waiting.
FAQs
What’s Manny Jacinto’s net worth?
Around $2–4 million as of 2025.
Who is Manny Jacinto’s wife?
He’s married to Dianne Doan since 2023.
Also Read this: Mia Maelzer Biography, Age, Birthplace, Film Career, Education
