Tran is a character on New Girl. He is portrayed by Ralph Ahn.
Character[]
Tran is a friend of Nick and the two are often seen in the park where Nick is asking Tran for advice. Tran does not talk, usually he just listens to Nick talk and nods, laughs or simply looks at Nick. The only time Tran speaks is in the episodes Menzies, when Tran tells Nick he's a "huge baby," and in "The Curse of the Pirate Bride," when he tells Russel to, "Drive." He seems like a calm, friendly person, albeit with possibly questionable culinary skills[1].
Tran and Nick[]
Nick considers Tran to be a grandfather figure, but Tran rarely speaks and has the same tranquil facial expression and body language for the most of the time he's appeared on New Girl.
Nick and Tran in a pool.
Tran and Nick's conversations usually happen when Nick is in distress about something that's happening in his life that he can't talk about with anyone else. Nick consults Tran about his issue and either comes up with an idea himself or assumes he knows what Tran is wordlessly advising him to do, then thanks Tran for helping him.
Trivia[]
- It is unclear where exactly he is from, but the actor, Ralph Ahn, is Korean-American, Tran is a common Vietnamese name, and Nick speculates that he may be Thai because he brings a boardgame "like Thailand Monopoly" to Thanksgiving.
- Tran's granddaughter Kai, who briefly dates Nick, tells Nick that while Nick considers Tran his best friend, Nick is not Tran's best friend.
- Tran has only two speaking lines, which are "You are a huge baby," and "drive" which occurred in his first and last appearances respectively.
Appearances[]
Season 2[]
- "Menzies"
- "First Date"