One of the most successful Asian American performers in Hollywood history, James Hong, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this week on Tuesday.
Through starring in The New Adventures of Charlie Chan (1957–1958), Hong became a household name to millions of viewers, and he appeared frequently on television shows such as Bonanza, Perry Mason, The Man from U.N C.L.E, I Spy, and Kung Fu (1972–1975), as well as several other television shows.
The actor has acted in various films, including Chinatown (1974) and its sequel The Two Jakes (1990), Hannibal Chew in Blade Runner (1982), David Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Jeff Wong in Wayne’s World 2 (1993), Master Hong in Balls of Fury (2007), and Jerry Chen in RIPD (2013).
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East-West Players (EWP), a pioneering Asian American theatre organization formed by Hong, was established to promote Asian American representation within the theatre industry earlier in his career.
James Hong Gets His Star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame
With celebrity guest speakers Daniel Dae Kim and Jamie Lee Curtis in attendance, 93-year-old Hong became one of only 19 people of Asian heritage to make it onto the walk of fame. When Hong spoke to the audience, he said he wanted to take advantage of the moment.
Hong said before he showed off some of his best dance moves, “As you can see, I don’t have any speeches, because I’m not that kind of person. I just come here. I want to feel the moment.”
Hong, who has appeared in more than 700 films, including “Blade Runner” and Disney’s original “Mulan,” was recognized during a ceremony attended by a number of his co-stars.
His recent sci-fi comedy, “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” in which he plays Gong Gong, Evelyn’s father, was also in attendance with the majority of the cast members. Besides remarks, the occasion also featured an impressive performance by a group of lions he organized himself.
During Kim’s speech announcing Hong’s nomination for a star, she talked about how tough it was for an Asian American male to break into the entertainment industry.
“I’m looking at all of you right here, many of you who deserve to be here, as well. When asked about Hong’s co-stars, many of whom are Asian American, Kim stated, “I’m confident that it will happen.”
James Hong celebrating his Walk of Fame honor is the the best thing you’ll see all day https://t.co/rX5LabJY82 pic.twitter.com/yW10YBogzF
— Variety (@Variety) May 10, 2022
“Although James Hong has blazed the route, I’m convinced that no one else will be able to follow in his footsteps. To award, someone who truly embodies the phrase “trailblazer” in the middle of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is an appropriate choice.”
Kim also made fun of Hong’s predilection for using all capital letters when typing.
“James, imagine now that the thing I’m about to say next is being typed in all caps, and let’s say it’s bolded and italicized for good measure,” Kim said.
She further said, “You are truly deserving of the honor you’re about to receive, and you make us all so very, very proud.”
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” co-star Curtis paid tribute to Hong by highlighting their humorous on-set connection and applauding his spirit.
“The center of the movie ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ and the center of James Hong the human is kindness and love,” Curtis said.
“And those two qualities in him, and from him, continue their concentric circle of influence and transformative change in people who watch him and who know him — me very much included.”
Jason Momoa, Ming-Na Wen, and Black Eyed Peas members are among the other Asian American and Pacific Islanders who will receive stars this year. His star was finally bestowed upon him after more than 70 years of employment in the industry, as well as his tireless efforts to increase the number of Asian American actors in Hollywood.
With the help of a few other Asian American artists, Hong founded the East-West Players, an Asian American theatre group, in 1965 in an effort to raise awareness of the Asian American experience. In an interview with NBC Asian America, Hong, a veteran, and former engineer explained how his early life experiences sparked a lifelong passion for fighting for equity.
“When I came back from Hong Kong at 9 years old, I was beaten up in the grade school playgrounds, because I couldn’t speak English,” he said.
“From that point, I fought all the way to what I’m doing now. So I encourage all Asian Americans, all people of all different nationalities, to express yourself and do your own thing the best you can, and then things will get better as a whole.”
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