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Tinpo Lee’s acting career has ranged from “General Hospital” to the Denzel Washington film “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” But ask him which role was his favorite and he will almost always include the ones with his daughter Peyton Elizabeth Lee. He has fond memories of guest starring on her series “Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.” The duo also worked together on the upcoming film “Fu,” which Lee describes as a “darkly comic short film I co-wrote, produced and starred in. It was directed by Peyton … and is a story about identity, legacy and midlife reinvention. It’s the most personal project I’ve ever dared to share. Creating it together as father and daughter was one of the highlights of my life.” Lee, 57, resides in Manhattan Beach, California, with his wife and three children. He shares his film, travel and surfing photos on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/whoistinpo/).

Q: You’re in “Final Destination Bloodlines,” which was a huge hit this year. How has that experience been like for you?

A: I played Marty Reyes in “Final Destination Bloodlines,” the newest chapter in the 25-year-old franchise. It was an incredible chance to bring grounded humanity to a genre role, and to be part of a story that’s become a cultural touchstone. I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d be able to say I was in the No. 1 movie in the world on opening weekend. That was surreal.

Q: Where are some locations that you’ve filmed your projects?

A: “Final Destination Bloodlines” was shot between February and April in Vancouver. When we arrived, it was gray and wet, but by the time I wrapped, spring had taken hold. The trees, flowers and people were coming back to life. Vancouver is a truly beautiful place to visit. It has all the conveniences and culture of a big city with tons of outdoor adventure and recreation nearby. Great food, galleries, shopping, plus world-class skiing, hiking and fishing. We shot “Fu” in Salt Lake City. We spent three summers there when Peyton was filming her first show, “Andi Mack,” and it felt poetic to return. We hired some of our old crew and realized we’d come full circle, right back to where her creative journey began. In the past, I’ve also shot in Hawaii, Chicago, New York, Austin, Beijing and Shanghai. Each place has its own unique benefits when you’re traveling for work.

Q: Do you have any upcoming trips planned for the rest of this year?

A: This October, I’m going on a surf trip to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia. There will be eight of us, all good friends and all over 50, living on a chartered catamaran for 12 nights. We’ll be going island to island in search of perfect, empty waves. Boys only, so the routine will be surf, sleep, eat, repeat, with a smattering of fishing, snorkeling and dumb dad jokes.

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?

A: We took a day trip to Catalina Island when I was four or five. I remember snorkeling in water so cold I was shivering uncontrollably, but I wouldn’t get out. I was mesmerized by the fish. I felt like I was one of them. I think it may have been the start of my recurring dream that I can breathe underwater. I hope our travels have given our kids moments [that also are] unforgettable and meaningful.

Q: Do you have a preference working on location versus on a set?

A: Working on set in Los Angeles close to home allows me to go home every night, sleep in my own bed and eat home-cooked meals, plus [spend ] weekends with my family. But I really enjoy being on location. There’s something immersive about it. When I’m away, I don’t have the distractions of everyday life, so I can fully focus on the work I love. It gives me the time and mental space to sink into a completely new perspective.

Q: If you could pick a location to film a project, where would it be?

A: I’d love to work somewhere obscure, remote or extreme – Nepal, Antarctica, Africa. A place so far from my daily life that it would shift the way I think and feel in a profound way. Somewhere transformative. I know that sounds ambitious, but I think some places change you on a cellular level. On a simpler note, I’d love to work in Italy, just for the pasta.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: Make an ambitious plan, then be bold enough to throw it out on a whim. Some of the best moments on the road and in life happen when you say yes to the unexpected.

Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?

A: My best and worst memory came from the same trip – Disneyland with our daughters. It was midsummer, crowded and brutally hot. But they were at the perfect age [to be] thrilled by every life-sized character, overjoyed by every ride. It’s a little embarrassing, but I think we even dressed them in matching pink floral dresses. We arrived 30 minutes before the gates opened and didn’t leave until after the fireworks. Fifteen hours of sweating, standing in long lines, kid meltdowns and total magic. It was exhausting and unforgettable. That seems to be the pattern. The most uncomfortable travel days often make the most meaningful memories.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: If there’s any chance I’ll be on a boat, I need prescription seasick patches. I’m super sensitive. Dramamine does nothing for me. I can get queasy standing on a dock. So, yes, I’ll be bringing a lot of patches when I go to Indonesia. Thankfully, they work extremely well. Other than that, I travel light. I’m kind of obsessive about packing efficiently. My motto is [that] whatever I forget, I can buy when I get there. And at the risk of bragging, I rarely have to.

Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?

A: Food truck, then food cart, then food stand. When I travel, I want to feel like I’m really there, maybe even a little disoriented [and] immersed in the unfamiliar. Fine dining is lovely, but it can feel the same everywhere. Too polished. Too safe. The food carts in Mexico City are nothing like the night markets in Bangkok. That’s what I’m after.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)

©2025 Jae-Ha Kim. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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