Victor Wong
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| Victor Wong | |
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| Born | Yee Keung Victor Wong July 30, 1927 San Francisco, California |
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| 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] Education
Victor Wong studied political science and journalism at the University of California, Berkeley and Theology at the University of Chicago under Paul Tillich, Rheinhold Niebuhr and Martin Bube. When he returned to San Francisco, Wong resumed his studies at the San Francisco Art Institute under Mark Rothko.[1]
[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 acting 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] Association with the Beat Generation
In the 1950's, while studying art under Mark Rothko, Victor Wong had his first art exhibition at the City Lights Bookstore. During this time, Wong befriended Lawrence Ferlinghetti.[1]
He illustrated Oranges, Dick McBride's first collection of poetry, which was handset and printed at the Bread and Wine Mission in 1960.[2]
He met Jack Kerouac in the early 1960's, who chronicled their meeting in his final novel, Big Sur. In the novel, Wong is characterised as "Arthur Ma".[3]
[edit] Family
- Had two daughters: Emily and Heather.
- Had three sons: Anton, Lyon, and Duncan
- Was married four times. 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.
- Brother of Zeppelin Wong.
[edit] Filmography
- Nightsongs (1985)
- Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart (1985)
- 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)
- Solo (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)
- Search (1997)
- Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
- 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998)
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b Chang, L: Remembering Our Merry Prankster Asian Week, 2001
- ^ McBride, R: Oranges - Illustrated by Victor Wong (Handset and printed at the Bread & Wine Press, San Francisco by Wilder Bentley, 1960)
- ^ Pulley, M: The last days of Victor Wong Sacramento News & Review, September 18th, 2001
