Jewish, Asian, Trans, Deaf Actor Chella Man Will Star As DC Action Hero

Chella Man (left, with Mary V,) will star in ‘Titans’ from DC Image by Getty Images

By Jenny Singer March 21, 2019

Yes, Chella Man’s full identity is complicated — he even says so himself.

“There is an extreme lack of representation for young, Deaf, queer, Jewish, Asian, transgender artists — sorry, that is a mouthful!” he told Teen Vogue in October 2018. “I decided to be my own representation.”

And so he has. The 20-year-old actor, model, and social media sensation has been cast as Jericho in season 2 of “Titans,” a superhero show from the DC universe made for the web. It’s historic, and as much a coup for DC as it is for Chella, who is perfect for the role of Jericho, an intense and emotionally complicated hero (and sometimes villain) who communicates via sign language.

CBR.com writes about Jericho:

“Jericho made his DC Comics debut in 1984’s Tales of the Teen Titans #43 (after making a cameo appearance in Issue #42), by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, and has the power to possess anyone upon making eye contact with them. The character has always used sign language to communicate with his teammates, as he was rendered mute early in his life by kidnappers who were attempting to blackmail his father.”

The actor is ecstatic to be taking on the role. “As a trans, Deaf, Jewish POC, I have always reminded myself of the power in my differences,” he wrote on Twitter. “It’s a dream come true as I will now be able to showcase this power on the Titans.”

This means so, so, so, so, so much to me. As a trans guy who’s an aspiring actor, I have never seen or related to anyone like me in media. Ever. I haven’t seen anyone. I don’t know how to explain how much this truly makes me happier than anything.

— cactus boy ? (@Cactus_Mother) March 20, 2019

@chellamanart THANK YOU FOR BEING SO WONDERFULLY AUTHENTICALLY TRANS and CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ROLE like I cried when I saw the announcement?? Because I thought I would have to give up my dream of acting when I started transitioning?? And you give a guy HOPE???? Can’t wait!!

— Jack. (@TheSteinStan) March 20, 2019

QUEER JEWISH SUPERHERO REPRESENTATION?!?!?!?!?!? I FEEL SEEN!!!!!!

— Bex (@MeddlingMeddy) March 20, 2019

Mazal tov, Chella Man! We can’t wait to see you go from strength to strength with “Titans.”

Jenny Singer is the deputy life/features editor for the Forward. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @jeanvaljenny

Jenny Singer is a freelance writer with pieces in Vox, the Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, Teen Vogue, and more. She was previously a staff writer at Glamour and the Forward, and she’s currently getting an MFA in nonfiction writing at the University of Iowa.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO