| Khigh Dheigh | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kenneth Dickerson 1910 Spring Lake, New Jersey |
| Died | October 25, 1991 (aged 80–81) Mesa, Arizona U.S. |
| Occupation | Film, television actor |
| Years active | 1950–1990 |
| Spouse | Mary Dickerson (?-?) 2 children |
Khigh Alx Dhiegh ( /ˌkaɪˈdiː/ kye-dee or /ˌkaɪˈdeɪ/ kye-day; born Kenneth Dickerson in 1910, Spring Lake, New Jersey, died October 25, 1991 in Mesa, Arizona)[1] was an American television and motion picture actor of mixed North African ancestry, noted for portraying Asian roles. He is perhaps best remembered for portraying villains, in particular his recurring TV guest role as Chinese agent Wo Fat on Hawaii Five-O (from the pilot in 1968 to the final episode in 1980), and brainwasher Dr. Yen Lo in 1962's The Manchurian Candidate. He also starred in the short-lived 1975 TV series Khan! as the title character. In 1988 he was featured as Four Finger Wu in James Clavell's Noble House television mini-series.
In 1965, Dhiegh, recorded and released an album on Folkways Records, entitled St. John of the Cross: Volume II, a collection of poems of St. John.
Besides his acting endeavors, Dheigh was active in Taoist philosophy, writing a number of books on the subject, including The Eleventh Wing (ISBN 0-385-28371-7). He founded the Taoist Sanctuary (now the Taoist Institute) in Hollywood, California. Dheigh also had a doctorate in theology and in his later years was the rector for a Taoist sanctuary in Tempe, Arizona called 'Inner Truth Looking Place.' He held weekly services and sponsored many 'Tea Ceremonies' in the Phoenix metro area. One of his last interviews was on One World in 1990, where he presented the concept of World Citizenry and its benefit to mankind.