Victor Wong
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| Victor Wong | |
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| Born | Yee Keung Victor Wong July 30, 1927 San Francisco, California |
| Died | September 12, 2001 (aged 74) Locke, California |
Victor Wong (July 30, 1927 – September 12, 2001) (Chinese: 黃自強; pinyin: Huáng Zìqiáng) was an American character actor who appeared in supporting roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
He has no relation to the 1930s/40s actor Victor Wong, best remembered for supporting roles as Charlie the Chinese cook in King Kong and The Son of Kong, both from 1933.
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[edit] Acting career
After his news career ended, Wong turned to acting, starting in the local Asian American theatre and later landing larger roles on the stages New York City. In October 1980, Wong made his Asian-American Theater Company (AATC) debut in San Francisco by appearing in their production of Paper Angels by Genny Lim. He was on Social Security Disability Insurance at the time.
His stage work led to television work and eventually, into movies. In between film roles, Wong lived in Sacramento, California, where he supported the local performing arts. In 1992, he acted in the Hong Kong film, Cageman (笼民). He later starred as the grandfather in the popular 3 Ninjas franchise, and the cult-classics, Big Trouble in Little China and Tremors
Film director Wayne Wang called Victor Wong his role model for living life. Director Bernardo Bertolucci had trouble with Victor on the set of The Last Emperor amid arguments over historical authenticity and cut most of Wong's scenes in the film, which won the Best Picture Oscar for 1987.
He retired from showbusiness in 1998 after suffering two strokes, which also contributed to his death on September 12, 2001 from heart failure. Wong was 74 years old.
[edit] Family
- Had two daughters: Emily and Heather.
- Had three sons: Anton, Lyon, and Duncan
- Was married four times, once to an African woman and, three times to different Caucasian women. His last wife was Dawn Rose with whom he was married until his death.
- His son, Lyon, died in 1986 after fighting with another young man in Sacramento. This triggered his first of many strokes.
- Brother of Zeppelin Wong.
[edit] Filmography
- Year of the Dragon (1985)
- The Golden Child (1986)
- Shanghai Surprise (1986)
- Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
- The Last Emperor (1987)
- Prince of Darkness (1987)
- Bloodsport (1988)
- Fatal Vacation (1989)
- Eat a Bowl of Tea (1989)
- Tremors (1990)
- Mystery Date (1991)
- 3 Ninjas (1992)
- The Joy Luck Club (1993)
- 3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994)
- 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995)
- The Stars Fell on Henrietta (1995)
- Jade (1995)
- Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
- My America....Or Honk If You Love Buddha (1997)
- 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998)
