AGE: 31
HOMETOWN: Born in Tokyo, raised in L.A. from age 6.
LATEST GIG: He plays Japanese businessman Hiro Nakamura—who can teleport and manipulate time—on the NBC hit show Heroes.
SORRY, HE'S STUCK IN THIS DIMENSION
Downside to having TV superpowers? Thinking you can teleport in real life. "When I'm driving down the 405 freeway, I'm like, 'Argh! I can do it!'" he says, squinting with intense concentration. "Then, unfortunately, reality sets in."
BUT HE IS SUPERSMART!
As if a degree in math and computer science from Brown University weren't impressive enough, Oka actually translates his own scripts into Japanese. "Usually they're all written in English," says Oka. "I'm pretty particular about how Hiro would say things."
THE FORCE IS WITH HIM
The actor also consults for Star Wars guru George Lucas's special-effects company Industrial Light & Magic. Says Oka: "I always dreamed of winning two Oscars—one technical, one creative."
HIS REAL SUPERPOWER
"I can beatbox!" he says. "I vocal-percuss well."
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