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Entertainment • Actor

Joe Son

Joe Son is the stage name of Joseph Hyungmin Son, a South Korean-born American former actor and combat-sports competitor.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Joe Son is the stage name of Joseph Hyungmin Son, a South Korean-born American former actor and combat-sports competitor. He is best known for playing Random Task in *Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery* (1997). He was later convicted in California of torture and rape, and separately convicted of voluntary manslaughter for killing a cellmate while incarcerated.

Early life

Joseph Hyungmin Son was born in Gwangju, Korea, on November 20, 1970. He later became known in the United States as Joe Son.

Acting and combat sports

Son worked as an actor and combat-sports competitor. His most widely known screen role was Random Task in *Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery* (1997), and he also competed in UFC and K-1 kickboxing.

Criminal convictions

Son was convicted in California in 2011 of torture in connection with a 1990 rape case and sentenced to seven years to life in prison. He was later convicted of voluntary manslaughter for killing a cellmate while incarcerated.

Public recognition

Son's public profile is largely tied to his brief entertainment career and his later criminal cases. Coverage of his name commonly references both his role in *Austin Powers* and his imprisonment.

Key facts

  • Joe Son is the professional name of Joseph Hyungmin Son.
  • He appeared in the 1997 film *Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery* as Random Task.
  • Before and alongside acting, he competed in combat sports, including UFC and K-1 kickboxing.
  • In 2011, he was convicted in California and sentenced to seven years to life in prison.
  • While incarcerated, he was later convicted of killing his cellmate and received an additional 27-year sentence.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Joe Son?
Joe Son is the stage name of Joseph Hyungmin Son, a South Korean-born American former actor and combat-sports competitor best known for *Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery*.
What role did he play in *Austin Powers*?
He played Random Task, a henchman character in *Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery* (1997).
What sports did Joe Son compete in?
He competed in combat sports, including UFC and K-1 kickboxing.
What was Joe Son convicted of?
He was convicted in California of torture in connection with a rape case, and later convicted of voluntary manslaughter for killing a cellmate.
When was Joe Son born?
Sources list his birth date as November 20, 1970.
Is Joe Son still active in entertainment?
No. The available sources describe him as a former actor, and his later public record is dominated by his criminal convictions.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Son
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, occupations, *Austin Powers* role, and criminal convictions
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0814176/
    Supports: Acting credits including *Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery*, *Bad Blood*, and *Shootfighter: Fight to the Death*
  3. CBS News — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/austin-powers-actor-joe-son-convicted-of-torture-in-rape-case/
    Supports: Conviction in the rape/torture case and identification of his *Austin Powers* role