Wikipedia

James Hong

For other people named James Hong, seeJames Hong (disambiguation).

James Hong(born February 22, 1929) is an American actor, producer and director. Known as one of the most prolificcharacter actorsof all time,[1][2]he has worked in numerous productions in U.S. media since theGolden Age of Hollywoodin the 1950s. In 2022, he received a star on theHollywood Walk of Famefor his contributions to the American film and television industries.[3]

James Hong
Hong in 2011
Born(1929-02-22)February 22, 1929(age 95)
Minneapolis, Minnesota,U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Southern California(BS)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
  • director
Years active1954–present
Spouses
Pearl Huang
​
​
(m.1967;div.1973)​
Susan Tong
​
(m.1977)​
Children3
Military service
ServiceMinnesota Army National Guard
Years of service1952–1953
RankStaff Sergeant
UnitArmed Forces Radio Service
AwardsGood Conduct Medal
Chinese name
Traditional ChineseNgô hán chương
Simplified ChineseNgô hán chương
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWú Hànzhāng
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingNg4 Hon3zoeng1

Earlier in his career, Hong co-foundedEast West Players,the first Asian American theatre organization and the longest continuously-running minority theatre in the United States, to increase Asian American representation in the industry.[1]Hong became known to audiences through starring in the detective seriesThe New Adventures of Charlie Chan(1957–1958), and appeared in numerous shows includingHawaii Five-O(1969–1974),Bonanza(1960),Perry Mason(1962–1963),The Man from U.N.C.L.E.(1965–1966),I Spy(1965–1967), andKung Fu(1972–1975). He also guest-starred in numeroussitcomsincluding his memorable role as Bruce in theSeinfeldepisode "The Chinese Restaurant"(1991).[4][5]

He has appeared in numerous films, in both comedic and dramatic roles. He has acted in films such asSoldier of Fortune(1955),Flower Drum Song(1961),The Sand Pebbles(1966),Chinatown(1974) and its sequelThe Two Jakes(1990),The In-Laws(1979),Airplane!(1980),True Confessions(1981),Blade Runner(1982),Big Trouble in Little China(1986),Wayne's World 2(1993),Balls of Fury(2007),Safe(2012), andR.I.P.D.(2013). Hong gained newfound prominence and acclaim for his role as the elderly grandfather, Gong Gong, in theAcademy Award–winningscience fictionabsurdist comedy filmEverything Everywhere All at Once(2022) for which he earned aScreen Actors Guild Award.[6][7][8]

As a voice actor, Hong has voiced numerous roles includingChi-FuinMulan(1998), Daolon Wong on the animated television seriesJackie Chan Adventures(2002–2004),Professor ChanginTeen Titans(2003–2006),Mr. Pingin theKung Fu Pandamedia franchise (2008-present), Zong Shi inTrollhunters: Rise of the Titans(2021), Father Level Bests inWendell & Wild(2022), and Mr. Gao inTurning Red(2022).

Early life and education

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Hong was born on February 22, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Chinese emigrant parents Ng Fok Hong ( ngô phúc đường; aka Frank Wu Hong) and Lee Suey Far ( lý thụy hoa; aka Lee Shui Fa). His father emigrated from Hong Kong to Chicago, Illinois, via Canada, and later moved to Minneapolis where he owned a restaurant and was leader of the localHip Sing Tong.[9]Hong's paternal grandfather was fromTaishan.[10]

For his early education, Hong relocated to Hong Kong, residing in Kowloon, before returning to the United States at the age of 10. During his upbringing, Hong mentioned being the only Asian student in a class of 500 children. Consequently, he experienced bullying and racism from classmates who singled him out as a foreigner and due to his limited proficiency in English.[11][12]He graduated fromMinneapolis Central High School.He first developed an interest in performing arts after watchingPeking operaperformers rehearse at his father's shop.[2]

Hong studiedcivil engineeringat theUniversity of Minnesota,where he concentrated the majority of his free time on moving plates and fixing templates for the drill squad. While at the University of Minnesota, he joined theMinnesota Army National Guard.[13]His university studies were interrupted when his national guard unit was mobilized during theKorean Warand sent toCamp Rucker,Alabama for training.[13]

Military service

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While in the Minnesota Army National Guard, Hong attended training in Alabama atFort McClellanand Camp Rucker (renamedFort Novoselin 2023) with theSpecial Servicesfor 18 months from 1952 to 1953. After finishing his training for the day, he would entertain soldiers; upon witnessing Hong's performing prowess, the camp general asked Hong to stay and be in charge of the camp's live shows rather than deploy overseas.[13]

Hong reflected on this experience and how it may have saved his life:

I do not know if I would have liked to go to war in Korea but let's admit it that with a G.I. cap and this face charging at the Korean army, the Koreans would try to kill me. But then if we were to retreat and I turned around and ran back the Americans would try to kill me too because they would think I am an enemy in disguise. I definitely think I would have been shot from one side and the other.[13]

Career

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1950s: Early career

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After the Korean War, Hong moved to Los Angeles in 1953 with a friend, where he would finish his degree at theUniversity of Southern California.Hong soon began working full time as a road engineer forLos Angeles Countyduring the day, while acting in the evenings, the weekends, and during his vacation and sick days. He eventually quit engineering for good, after five and a half years, to devote himself to acting and voice work full-time.[14]Hong has played over 600 television and film roles.[15][16]His career in show business began in the 1950s during the final years of theGolden Age of Hollywoodwhen heredubbedsoundtracks of severalAsian films.He dubbed the voices of characters Ogata (Akira Takarada) and Dr. Serizawa (Akihiko Hirata) in the 1956 filmGodzilla, King of the Monsters!,as well as the title character inThe Human Vapor.

In February 1954, Hong appeared on the radio and television game showYou Bet Your LifewithGroucho Marx.In this appearance, he did a number of impersonations including one of Groucho himself. Hong and his partner won $140 in the quiz. They contested the major prize of $2000 but did not win. The following year he acted oppositeClark Gablein the war filmSoldier of Fortune(1955).[17]In 1956, Hong was cast as Jimmy Ling in the episode "Red Tentacles" of theWesternaviation adventure seriesSky King,starringKirby Grant.He also guest-starred in theNBCWestern seriesThe Californians.

In 1957–1958, he was cast as the "Number One Son", Barry Chan, in the British-American seriesThe New Adventures of Charlie ChanstarringJ. Carrol Naishas Charlie Chan.[18]In an interview onCBS Sunday Morning,Hong revealed that Naish in a racist outburst had him fired from the series for missing only one line. Hong described Naish as a very prejudiced person and how Naish's actions were very hurtful to him.[12]The role of the Number One Son was played byKeye Lukein the predecessor films. However, Keye Luke's character was known as Lee Chan.

In 1959, he appeared as a prince on an episode ofWalt Disney'sABCseries,Zorro.He was thereafter cast as Chung Lind in the 1960 episode "East of Danger" in theDavid JanssenNBCcrime dramaseriesRichard Diamond, Private Detective.From 1960 to 1962, he appeared four times on the ABC/Warner Brotherscrime dramaHawaiian Eye,twice each on the ABC seriesHong KongandAdventures in Paradise,and once on ABC's related series,The Islanders.

1960–1979

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Hong's first appearance as a host in a Chinese restaurant was in theRodgers and Hammersteinfilm musicalFlower Drum Song(1961).[19]In 1962, he appeared onCBS'sPerry Masonas Dean Chang in "The Case of the Weary Watchdog". On September 23, 1963, Hong hit the prime time slot playing spy Wen Lee in, "The Hundred Days of the Dragon",the second episode of ABC's"The Outer Limits"first season. That year Hong also played Louis Kew in" The Case of the Floating Stones ". He also appeared three times on theNBCmilitary sitcomEnsign O'Toole.In 1964, he appeared in an episode ofKentucky Jones.In 1965, Hong was one of the original founding members of theEast West Players,an earlyAsian Americantheatre organization. Also in 1966, he played the bar owner Mr. Shu inThe Sand Pebbles.Hong also appeared in several episodes of the originalHawaii Five-O.

Hong had a small part on a 1972 episode of CBS'sThe Bob Newhart Show.Hong then appeared as a host in a Chinese restaurant in the 1975All In the Familyepisode "Edith Breaks Out". He was a frequent guest star on the1972–1975 ABC television seriesKung Fu,joined the cast on thefinal seasonof CBS'sSwitch,as Wang, and also played a flight attendant in the original1979 filmHe had a notable role as 'Dr. David Tao', a doctor accused of performing an illegal abortion in theBlake EdwardsmovieThe Carey Treatmentin 1972. He was also in the 1979 filmThe In-Laws.

1980–1999

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Hong with fans at Monsterpalooza in 2011

He appeared as a uniformed man in the1980 comedycult filmAirplane!He has also directed such films asTeen Lust.Hong played immortal ghost sorcerer Lo Pan inJohn Carpenter's cult classicBig Trouble in Little China(1986), eye manufacturer Chew inBlade Runner,Evelyn Mulwray's loyal and vigilant butler inChinatownandThe Two Jakes,and a low-rent private eye inBlack Widow.[20][21]

He also directed, wrote and starred in the filmThe Vineyard(1989). Hong portrayed Chow Ting, a dry cleaner with the power to wash sins and guilt from a person's conscience in the 1985Tales from the Darksideepisode "It All Comes Out in the Wash". Hong then appeared in a memorable role as Bruce, the host in a Chinese restaurant inSeinfeldepisode "The Chinese Restaurant"(1991). Hong played Jeff Wong, Cassandra Wong'smartial artsexpert father, in the comedy sequelWayne's World 2,and was featured as the head of the Scarred Foot society in the pilot forThe Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.(1993). In 1994, he, his wife Susan and daughter April appeared as a family riding mountain bikes beneath the Hollywood sign in the mountain-bike travel-adventure documentary,Full Cycle: A World Odyssey.

Hong had a supporting role in the big-budget MGM filmRed Cornerin 1997, which starred Richard Gere. Hong also had a small role in theindependent filmBroken Vessels(1998). He played the role of Mr. Takato in the movieChasing Zoey,the final episode ofZoey 101.His character taughtMichael Barrethow to operate a manual transmission, and it was revealed at the end of the episode that he did not exist. Hong alsovoicedthe characterDaolon Wong,an evil wizard in theJackie Chan Adventurestelevision series, and was the voice ofChi-FuinDisney'sMulan.

2000–2019

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Hong appeared inseveral episodesofThe Big Bang Theoryduring itsfirst season,as well as in the"Color Blind" episodeduring thefirst seasonofAlias.Hong played a villain in a season three episode ofThe X-Files.He appeared in two episodes ofThe West Wing(Ep. 1.11; 3.15) as theChineseAmbassador to the United States. He also played Mr. Soo onThe King of Queens,anAsian restaurantowner again who rentsDoug Heffernanand his friends aloftapartment above his store, in the episode "Apartment Complex" (2006). Additionally, Hong guest-starred onFriends,playing Hoshi, the former paid assassin and boxing coach forMonica'sboyfriend Pete (played byJon Favreau) in the episode "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion".

Hong in 2012

Among Hong's other roles include inA.N.T. Farm,MandarininSuper Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!,andProfessor ChanginTeen Titans.He made acameo appearanceon the television seriesLas Vegasas a presumed cheatingmonk.Hong also lent his voice to theCartoon NetworkanimationChowderasMung Daal's mentor in the "Won-Ton Bombs"episode. In 2006, Hong voiced the character Mayor Tong inAvatar: The Last Airbenderin the second season's episode titled "Avatar Day" in addition to his previous role as Monk Tashi in the first-season episode "The Storm" in 2005. In 2006, he also voiced the character of the High Lama in the filmChill Out, Scooby-Doo!

Hong's voice also appeared as Colonel Zhou Peng in the video gameMercenaries: Playground of Destruction,Dr. Chang inDef Jam Icon(2007), Ancient Wu inTrue Crime: Streets of LA,and reprising his role as Chew in theBlade Runnervideo game. His most recent appearances were in the filmsBalls of FuryandThe Day the Earth Stood Still.In 2008, he voicedMr. PinginKung Fu Panda,the adoptive father ofPoand was nominated for anAnnie Awardfor his performance; he later reprised the role onKung Fu Panda Holiday Specialand won anAnnie Awardfor Voice Acting in a Television Production. Furthermore, he andLucy Liuhave been collaborated in the feature film series and in the television series adaptation,Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.After the release of thethird film,he stated that he hoped to continue in the role, though due to his advanced age he wanted the filmmakers to start work on it quickly. He would reprise the role again for the subsequent streaming seriesKung Fu Panda: The Paws of DestinyandKung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight,[22]as well as inKung Fu Panda 4.In 2015, Hong voiced Azmorigan onStar Wars Rebelsas well as the Sugi arms dealer Endente in an unfinished four-part story arc ofStar Wars: The Clone Wars;the rough animatics of which were posted on theStar Warswebsite.

He appeared in the filmSafe(2012). He also provides the voices for the jewelerNPCCovetous Shen inDiablo III,Master Bruised Paw inWorld of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria,Bucky (for two episodes) from the television seriesArcher,and Uncle Po inSleeping Dogs.In 2013, he appeared as Ogisan, the gift shop keeper from theIncredible Crewsketch "Magical Video Game Controller" alongsideJeremy ShadaandShauna Case.He also appeared in the filmR.I.P.D.(2013). In 2014, he voiced the character Ho Chan in the 2012 3D animated cartoonTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,a clear parody of his character in Big Trouble in Little China, David Lo Pan.

Hong guest-starred in a 2015 episode ofAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.as thefatherofMelinda May,played byMing-Na Wen,with whom he co-starred inMulan.In 2018, it was announced that he was producing a feature screenplay about a grandfather and his estranged granddaughter who realize, through an unexpected adventure that pushes them into another world, that family relationships are the key to survival.[23]Later it was revealed that the film's title isPatsy Lee & the Keepers of the 5 Kingdoms,directed byZack Ward,starring Michelle Fang.[24]

2020s–present

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Hong appears in theA24filmEverything Everywhere All at Once,which was released on March 25, 2022.[25]He won theScreen Actors Guild AwardforOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picturewith the film's ensemble. He attended the2023 Academy Awardsceremony, where the film received 7 Oscars from 11 nominations, wearing a bow tie with googly eyes.

Hong voiced Grandpa Wing in the animated seriesGremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai,released onMaxin 2023.

Personal life

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Hong with his wife and daughter in Hollywood, 1994

Hong lives inLos Angeles,California,with his wife Susan Tong whom he married in 1977. The couple have three daughters and eight grandchildren.[26]

Hong is aPresbyterian;he attended theWestminster Presbyterian Churchwith his family as a child in Minneapolis.[27][28]

In 2020,Daniel Dae Kimstarted aGoFundMecampaign to get Hong a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[29][30]He received a star as a member of the 2022 class of honorees, becoming the oldest person to receive the honor at age 93.[3][31]

Filmography

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Main article:James Hong filmography

Selected filmography

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Project Result Ref.
2009 Annie Awards Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Kung Fu Panda Nominated
2011 Best Voice Acting in a Television Production Kung Fu Panda Holiday Won [32]
2012 Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Kung Fu Panda 2 Nominated
2012 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Nominated
2022 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Ensemble in a Motion Picture Everything Everywhere All at Once Won
2022 Hollywood Critics Association Best Cast Ensemble Won [33]
2022 Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Received [34]

References

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  1. ^ab"James Hong biography and filmography".Tribute.ca.RetrievedMay 23,2019.
  2. ^abGopal, Trisha; Turner, Dominique & Yim, David (August 2, 2020)."He's probably been in more movies than any actor in history".CNN.RetrievedAugust 2,2020.
  3. ^abShanfeld, Ethan (June 18, 2021)."Michael B. Jordan, Carrie Fisher, Nipsey Hussle, James Hong and DJ Khaled Among 2022 Walk of Fame Honorees".Variety.RetrievedJune 19,2021.
  4. ^"Actor James Hong on his amazing longevity".Youtube.July 31, 2022.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  5. ^"From" Seinfeld "to" Blade Runner: "James Hong's 10 Best Roles".Collider.May 2, 2022.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  6. ^Lee, Ann (March 6, 2023)."'This is my chance!' Everything Everywhere's James Hong on bullying, 'yellowface' and his big break – at 94 ".The Guardian.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  7. ^"James Hong Really is Everything Everywhere All at Once".Vanity Fair.May 9, 2022.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  8. ^"'Everything Everywhere' actor's SAG speech goes viral for making Hollywood contend with racist past ".NBC News.February 27, 2023.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  9. ^"MULAN #GoldOpen Q&A with Original Animated Cast".Facebook.
  10. ^"Official website".JamesHongFilms.com.
  11. ^Lee, Ann (March 6, 2023)."This is my chance!' Everything Everywhere's James Hong on bullying, 'yellowface' and his big break – at 94".The Guardian.RetrievedMarch 15,2023.
  12. ^ab"James Hong: An actor's guide to longevity".CBS News. January 22, 2022.RetrievedMarch 15,2023.
  13. ^abcdLeung, Albert (November 4, 2009)."Home from Hollywood: James Hong's nostalgic return to Minnesota".China Insight.Archived from the original on October 8, 2018.RetrievedOctober 2,2016.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link).
  14. ^"James Hong".Television Academy Interviews.October 22, 2017.RetrievedJune 17,2022.
  15. ^James Hong (June 21, 2019).The Actor With 500 Credits and Counting.YouTube: Great Big Story.Archivedfrom the original on November 18, 2021.RetrievedJuly 10,2019.
    Wood, Drew (April 24, 2014)."A Comic Con Q&A With James Hong".Mpls St Paul.Minneapolis: MSP Communications, Inc.RetrievedJuly 10,2019.
  16. ^Voisin, Scott (May 2014).Character Kings 2: Hollywood's Familiar Faces Discuss the Art & Business of Acting.BearManor Media. pp. 79–.
  17. ^"James Hong reflects on 70-year career, from white actors in yellowface to unfilmed 'Blade Runner' scene to Oscar-dominating 'Everything Everywhere'".Yahoo News.March 15, 2023.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  18. ^"The New Adventures of Charlie Chan".The A.V. Club.March 6, 2023.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  19. ^"Flower Drum Song".Turner Classic Movies.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  20. ^"The Legendary James Hong Reflects on His Most Iconic Roles".Movieweb.May 2023.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  21. ^"James Hong looks back at his iconic roles, from Big Trouble in Little China to EEAAO".Yahoo News.May 2023.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  22. ^Del Rosario, Alexandra (May 6, 2022)."Rita Ora Joins Netflix's 'Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight', James Hong To Reprise Film Role For Animated Series".Deadline.RetrievedMay 6,2022.
  23. ^Busch, Anita (August 17, 2018)."James Hong, 89-Year-Old Chinese American Actor:" I Never Thought It Would Take This Long "".Deadline Hollywood.
  24. ^"Patsy Lee & The Keepers of the 5 Kingdoms".IMDb.
  25. ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 23, 2020)."A24 Reunites With 'Swiss Army Man' Directors; Finance & Distribute AGBO's 'Everything Everywhere All At Once'".Deadline Hollywood.
  26. ^Lee, Ann (March 6, 2023)."'This is my chance!' Everything Everywhere's James Hong on bullying, 'yellowface' and his big break – at 94 ".The Guardian.
  27. ^"James Hong".NNDB.
  28. ^Kahn, Rachel (April 28, 2014)."Get to know Minneapolis native James Hong, in town for Comic Con".Mill City Times.
  29. ^Lee, Janet W. (August 6, 2020)."Daniel Dae Kim Launches Fundraiser to Nominate James Hong for Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame".Variety.RetrievedJune 19,2021.
  30. ^Sharf, Zack (August 10, 2020)."Daniel Dae Kim Raises $55,000 to Help Get James Hong a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star".IndieWire.
  31. ^May 11, Jessica Wang; EDT, 2022 at 04:00 PM."Watch James Hong perform alongside lion dancers at historic Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony".EW.com.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ^Finke, Nikki (February 5, 2011)."38th Annual Annie Animation Awards: DWA's 'How To Train Your Dragon' Wins (After Disney Boycotts)".Deadline.RetrievedAugust 6,2023.
  33. ^"A24's 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Leads HCA Film Awards Total Nominations With 16".Variety.December 15, 2022.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
  34. ^"Watch James Hong perform alongside lion dancers at historic Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedMay 12,2023.

Sources

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  • Pilato, Herbie J. (1993).The Kung Fu Book of Caine: The Complete Guide to TV's First Mystical Eastern Western.Boston: Charles A. Tuttle.ISBN0-8048-1826-6.
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