Born in Seattle, Washington to a Chinese-American family, Edwin Luke grew up in Seattle and graduated with a B.A. in journalism from the University of Washington. He aspired to be a reporter and writer. He joined the Hollywood Reporter as a printer and linotyper in the 1940s - the first Chinese member of the printer's union. He appeared in TV series through the 1950s, moving on to to a successful career as a Social Worker for Los Angeles County.