Benson Fong

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Benson Fong
Born (1916-10-10)October 10, 1916
Sacramento, California
Died August 1, 1987(1987-08-01) (aged 70)
Los Angeles, California
Occupation Actor
Years active 1936–86

Benson Fong (traditional Chinese: 鄺炳雄; simplified Chinese: 邝炳雄; pinyin: Kuàng Bǐngxióng; October 10, 1916 – August 1, 1987) was an American character actor.

Born in Sacramento, California, Fong was from a mercantile family. After graduating from high school in Sacramento, he studied briefly in China before joining relatives in commercial activities in California.[1]

Career

Beginning in 1937, he appeared in minor film roles, though he later had important roles in many films, including The Keys of the Kingdom, His Majesty O'Keefe, Flower Drum Song, and Our Man Flint. During World War II he was often cast in either Japanese or Chinese roles. He is best remembered as Number Three Son "Tommy Chan" in the Charlie Chan movies of 1944-46. His later career as an actor included many TV appearances. He was "The Old One" in Kung Fu.

Fong made four guest appearances on Perry Mason between 1958-1961, including the role of defendant James Hing in the 1959 episode, "The Case of the Caretaker's Cat."

Modern audiences will remember him as Mr. Tang Wu in Disney's The Love Bug. Actress Michele Lee later said that the 52-year-old actor had to have his jet-black hair sprayed bright white to make him look older.[2]

In later life Benson Fong became a successful restaurateur, and opened several Ah Fong restaurants in California.

Death

Fong died of a stroke in Los Angeles, California in 1987, survived by his wife Gloria and five children.[3]

Partial filmography

References

  1. ↑ "Benson Fong Is Dead at 70; Was in Film and TV 40 Years". The New York Times. August 4, 1987. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  2. ↑ DVD commentary, The Love Bug, 2003
  3. ↑ Character actor Benson Fong dies

External links

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