Victor Wong | |
---|---|
Born |
Yee Keung Victor Wong July 30, 1927 San Francisco, California |
Died | September 12, 2001 Locke, California |
(aged 74)
Occupation | Actor, Broadcast Journalist |
Years active | 1984–1998 |
Spouse(s) | Dawn Rose (until his death) Robin Goodfellow Carol Freeland Olive Thurman |
Yee Keung Victor Wong (traditional Chinese: ; simplified Chinese: 黄自強; pinyin: Huáng Zìqiáng; Jyutping: Wong4 Zi6koeng4; 30 July 1927 – 12 September 2001) was an American character actor of Chinese descent who appeared in supporting roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Victor Wong studied political science and journalism at the University of California, Berkeley and Theology at the University of Chicago under Paul Tillich, Reinhold Niebuhr and Martin Buber. When he returned to San Francisco, Wong resumed his studies at the San Francisco Art Institute under Mark Rothko.
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, Mori Tanaka (strangely changed to Mori Shintaro for 3 Ninjas Kick Back), in the popular 3 Ninjas franchise, and the cult-classics, Big Trouble in Little China and Tremors.