40 Across

NYT Daily • August 23, 2025

Steven ___, Best Actor nominee for 2020's "Minari"

Answer:

YEUN

Hint:

This "Walking Dead" alum earned Oscar buzz for his role as a Korean-American father in a rural drama.

Explanation:

This clue asks for the last name of actor Steven Yeun, who earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his role in the 2020 film Minari. The answer is simply his surname, "YEUN," spelled in all caps as is standard for crossword answers. The clue is straightforward—no wordplay or tricks—just a direct reference to his acclaimed performance in the semi-autobiographical drama about a Korean-American family. If you’re familiar with the movie or Yeun’s work, this one should be easy to fill in.

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