He was fired from Deloitte, then escorted out by security. Years later, he became one of Marvel's biggest heroes

Before becoming one of Marvel's most recognisable superheroes, Simu Liu was living a very different life. Long before playing Shang-Chi on the big screen, the actor worked as an accountant at Deloitte. But his corporate career came to an abrupt end when he was laid off and escorted out of the office. A decade later, Liu looked back at that painful day, calling it the moment that unexpectedly changed his life and pushed him towards pursuing his dream of acting.

The Canadian actor recently opened up about the milestone by resharing an old social media post about the day he lost his job. His honest account has since gone viral, with many praising his journey from corporate employee to Hollywood star.

The day Simu Liu was fired from Deloitte

Remembering the experience, Liu said he was called into his managing partner's office and informed that his employment was being terminated with immediate effect.


He recalled that after the meeting, a representative from the human resources department and a security guard escorted him back through the office while his colleagues watched.

According to Liu, the office became so quiet that he could hear a pin drop. He said no one spoke to him, offered words of encouragement or even made eye contact as he packed up his belongings. The experience left him deeply embarrassed, and he admitted that he struggled to hold back tears before leaving the building.

The actor also shared how devastating that moment felt. He believed his life had fallen apart because he felt he had disappointed his family after years of education and trying to meet their expectations. For Liu, losing the accounting job seemed like the end of everything he had worked towards.

Why getting fired changed his life

Although the experience was painful at the time, Liu now believes it became the biggest turning point in his career.

He wrote a tweet in 2022, "Soon it’ll be 12 April, the day I got laid off from Deloitte. I owe my life to being let go from a career I hated. Accounting = not for me."

Sharing a message for anyone struggling in a career they don't enjoy, Liu wrote that no amount of money is worth giving up on the life you truly want. He encouraged people to keep chasing their dreams despite the obstacles, saying that following one's passion is what life is really about.

From corporate employee to Marvel superhero

After leaving the corporate world, Simu Liu slowly built a career in the entertainment industry. He first gained widespread recognition for playing Jung Kim in the popular Canadian sitcom Kim's Convenience, where his performance earned him a loyal fan base.

His biggest breakthrough came in 2021 when Marvel Studios cast him as Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The film made Liu a global star and introduced Marvel's first Asian superhero to audiences around the world.

Since then, Liu has continued expanding his career. He appeared as one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig's blockbuster Barbie, worked as a stunt performer earlier in his career and also became a bestselling author with his memoir.

The actor is now preparing for another major Marvel outing. Liu will reprise his role as Shang-Chi in Avengers: Doomsday, which features an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Florence Pugh and Channing Tatum. The highly anticipated superhero film is scheduled to release in theatres on December 16.