Asian American Actors

[kitty]

Taking a cue from the Women's forum (yay Kasia) I would like to try this with AE as well.

Every few weeks, a new Spotlight on an Asian/Asian American actor will be pinned, including a bio and a filmography. These are not necessarily politically active or positive actors, but simply people who are currently of have been previously in the limelight. Please PM me for nominations!

edit: Spotlights will show up more often because of the number of nominations.

Spotlights:
B.D. Wong (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=7023)
Anna May Wong (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=7173)
Bruce Lee (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=7629)
Ming Na Wen (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=8129)
Sessue Hayakawa (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=8563)
Sandra Oh (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=8933)
Selar Shaik aka "Sabu" (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=9424)
Rosalind Chao (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=10143)
George Takei (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?p=181336#post181336)
Linda Park (http://forums.yellowworld.org/forumdisplay.php?f=10)
Sir Ben Kingsley (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=13565)
Lindsay Price (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=15572)
John Cho (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?p=305656)
Parminder Nagra (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?p=327575#post327575)
Daniel Dae Kim (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=21019)

[SunWuKong]

The Bruce!

[deez nuts]

the donger!

[SunWuKong]

david carradine!


oh... wait...

[kitty]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@May 5 2003, 09:57 PM
david carradine!


oh... wait...
:D :D :D

[Shuriken]

How about Hollywood's first Asian star...

http://silent-movies.com/Ladies/annex/Aoki.jpg

TSURU AOKI (1892-1961)

She starred in the Thomas Ince production The Oath of Tsuru-san in 1913 — two years before her husband, Sessue Hayakawa, hit it big in The Cheat — and went on to receive top billing in no fewer than six movies afterwards. Aoki and Hayakawa played opposite each other in 20 films. Sadly, her stardom faded in the early 1920s. Her only sound film was a supporting role in Hell to Eternity (1960).


Tsuru Aoki mini-bio (http://entertainment.msn.com/celebs/celeb.aspx?mp=b&c=187011)

[Shuriken]

http://www.arcadebios.nl/posters/hot_chick.jpg

How about...ROB SCHNEIDER???

[kitty]

how about... not? :lol:

[Shuriken]

http://image.pathfinder.com/time/asia/photoessays/jv_film042601/2.jpg

SESSUE HAYAKAWA (http://goldsea.com/Personalities/Hayakawas/hayakawas.html) (1890-1973)

[Shuriken]

http://images.allposters.com/images/71/039_68128.jpg

ANNA MAY WONG (http://annamaywong.com/biography.htm) (1905-1961)

[Shuriken]

http://www.philipahn.com/port01a.jpg

PHILIP AHN (http://www.philipahn.com/pacessay.html) (1905-1978)

[Shuriken]

http://www.charliechan.net/gallerypix/keye_luke.jpg

KEYE LUKE (http://www.hollywood.com/celebs/bio/celeb/1675564) (1904-1991)

Best known for his roles as Number One Son in the "Charlie Chan" series (1931-49) and Master Po in the TV show Kung Fu (1972-75), Keye Luke also starred as the lead Asian American detective, James Lee Wong, in the Hollywood movie Phantom of Chinatown (1940).

[Shuriken]

http://www.nancy-kwan.com/james_shigeta.jpg

JAMES SHIGETA (http://goldsea.com/Personalities/Shigetaj/shigetaj.html) (born 1933)

[deez nuts]

kobe tai.

[deez nuts]

tommy vu

that guy on the infomercials.

"if vu can do it. so can you!"

he was surrounded by mad hunniez.

[lethal]

Ooh! I saw a reference to Tom Vu in a baseball thing at some point in the past year. I have to look it up.

Edit: Found it. Article on Baseball Prospectus. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/200...xfourthree.html (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/20020214sixfourthree.html)

It linked to this article here: http://infomercial.tvheaven.com/tomvu.htm

The most enduring image in infomercial history is that of a diminutive Vietnamese immigrant named Tom Vu telling tales of real estate fortunes from his yacht while surrounded by the gorgeous bodies of bikini-clad models.

http://infomercial.tvheaven.com/five2.jpghttp://infomercial.tvheaven.com/asses.jpghttp://infomercial.tvheaven.com/mansion.jpg

It's been nearly a decade since Tom Vu's infomercial last aired; Vu ran into legal trouble and now, according to Dateline NBC, is retired and living in California.

[deez nuts]

a true pioneer and i'm being 100% serious.

a salute to mr. vu

/salute/

[Shuriken]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@May 11 2003, 10:48 PM
kobe tai.
tommy vu

When you put some effort into trying to raise awareness about Asian American actors of decades past, and these are the kinds of responses you get, it's all very dismaying.


:P
resident killjoy

[KATANA]

Do you want actors and actresses from the present or past?

[kitty]

Originally posted by KATANA@May 13 2003, 12:21 AM
Do you want actors and actresses from the present or past?
the spotlight will basically highlight actors from the past or present who are asian/asian american who are of questionable fame... like B.D. Wong stirred up some discussion and the same should go for other actors - they don't have to be people to be "proud" of.

[deez nuts]

how about bolo yeung?

cock diesel coolie

http://www.firstuniversal.clara.net/bolo_files/boloready.jpg

[Shuriken]

Originally posted by kittygirl@May 13 2003, 01:54 AM
they don't have to be people to be "proud" of.
http://members.aol.com/MaKe212/Cary1.jpg

In that case, how about sell-out extraordinaire CARY-HIROYUKI TAGAWA???

[KATANA]

How about James Hong? He has been in like a hundred movies now hasn't he, not to mention T.V. roles.

[lethal]

George Takei aka Sulu (http://www.georgetakei.com/) from the old Star Trek

[Faithless]

Anybody post this, yet: A very comprehensive list of Asian Americans in the movies.

http://www.geocities.com/taikosumo/

It's an exhaustive search of imdb.com. B)

[Green_Circle]

For honorable mention, what about Sammo Hung of 'martial Law' fame? Although he was emasculated and held up to ridicule by one of our sweet sisters, Sammo has made dozens and dozens of flicks in Hong Kong. I guarantee that out of all those films, 100% shows that he gets the babes! Go rent them and see for yourself. I couldn't believe that such an ugly, fat thing like him always gets the leading ladies. And these babes arent fat and ugly but fine, shapely young things! It's only when he came to Hollywood did he never get any play in those martial law series, except one. I forgot if she was white or Hispanic but she was a looker also.

[Emperor_Mike]

There's another Star Trek guy from Voyager, right? Garrett Wang, wasn't it?

[younggiftedandblack]

Even though she's from Canada I'll include her. One of my personal favs :D

Sandra Oh

<img src='http://www.hbo.com/arliss/img/146x146_wu_bio_pix.jpg[/img]

SANDRA OH moved to Los Angeles in 1996 to begin the first of seven seasons as "Rita Wu", Arliss' smart and sassy assistant, for which she won the final Cable Ace award for Best Actress in a Comedy.

In television, along with her regular starring role on Arli$$, Oh has been lauded for her work on HBO's Six Feet Under, Showtime's Further Tales of the City, and her recurring role on Judging Amy. In theatre, Sandra recently starred in the world premieres of Jessica Hagedorn's Dogeaters at the La Jolla Playhouse and Diana Son's Stop Kiss at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre in New York (Theatre World Award for Best NY Debut). In fall 2001, Sandra performed The Vagina Monologues in New York and, in summer 2002, will appear in Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba at Los Angeles Mark Taper Forum.

Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, Sandra began to study ballet at the age of four and starred in her first play, The Canada Goose at the age of ten. At 16, Sandra started working professionally in television, theatre, and commercials. After three years at the prestigious National Theatre School of Canada, she was chosen for the coveted title role in the CBC film The Diary of Evelyn Lau based on the true story of the tortured poet who left home at 14 and ended up a drug addict and prostitute on the streets of Vancouver. Her performance brought her a Gemini (Canada's Emmy) nomination for Best Actress and the 1994 Cannes FIPA d'Or for Best Actress.

Sandra won her first Genie (Canada's Oscar) a year later for her leading role in Double Happiness, a bittersweet coming-of-age story, a performance that brought her much acclaim and secured her place as one of Canada's rising young film stars.

Sandra remains busy working in both comedic and dramatic roles in motion pictures, television and theatre. Her film work includes Bean, Guinevere, The Red Violin, Waking the Dead, The Princess Diaries, and Pay or Play. She recently starred in Michael Radford's (Il Postino) improvised Dancing at the Blue Iguana, a bleak and raw view of life in an LA strip club. Her performance in Last Night, a 1999 Canadian film about the end of the world, led to her second Genie Award for Best Actress.

Sandra currently resides in Los Angeles.

[sevenstorybeast]

how about the milf guy from the american pie movies? he has become sort of a cult icon. was his name john choi?

[ModernLogic]

An actor I've seen a bit of here and there...

Ken Tsang

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0120008/1-12.jpg

Link to IMDB page (http://us.imdb.com/Name?Tsang,+Kenneth)

He's mainly a Hong Kong star though I did see him portray a North Korean general in "Die Another Day."

[ModernLogic]

Jeff Imada

http://www.stuntnet.com/men/474.gif

He is an actor/stuntman/stunt-co-ordinator. (Here he is without his beard).

I've seen him in Blade, and I believe he was in John Carpenter's Vampires. However, he usually does stunt co-ordination for John Carpenter films.

Here is his page in IMDB (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0408001/)

He was also one of the Chinese gangsters in Mel Gibson's "Payback."

[ModernLogic]

http://members.aol.com/MaKe212/Cary1.jpg

In that case, how about sell-out extraordinaire CARY-HIROYUKI TAGAWA???

How's he a sell-out?

[Shuriken]

How's he a sell-out?

Cary Tagawa is almost always playing bad guys or suspects opposite non-Asian heroes. His participation in the yellow-peril primer Showdown in Little Tokyo and the blood-libelous Rising Sun was especially objectionable. The only role I like him in is that of the kind but still-youthful grandfather in Johnny Tsunami.

[BigLew]

kobe tai.
Yeah... and Asia Carrera

[SunWuKong]

Yeah... and Asia Carrera


hell no. she's ugly.

give me Avena Lee.

[BigLew]

Cary Tagawa is almost always playing bad guys or suspects opposite non-Asian heroes. His participation in the yellow-peril primer Showdown in Little Tokyo and the blood-libelous Rising Sun was especially objectionable. The only role I like him in is that of the kind but still-youthful grandfather in Johnny Tsunami.I kinda liked his character in Rising Sun... I know, I know Rising Sun was a racist portrayal of asians and blaze bla

[ModernLogic]

Cary Tagawa is almost always playing bad guys or suspects opposite non-Asian heroes. His participation in the yellow-peril primer Showdown in Little Tokyo and the blood-libelous Rising Sun was especially objectionable. The only role I like him in is that of the kind but still-youthful grandfather in Johnny Tsunami.

You have to understand that Asian American actors don't get have many options to choose from and they are often elated that they get any offers at all.

[In-The-Flesh]

http://www.susuki.sakura.ne.jp/~hiibou/peach_chiaki_kuriyama02.jpg


Chiaki Kuriyama , even though she hasn’t really proven her self as an actress. And she not even American or speaks a lick of English (although I hear she's learning.) But all these things aside she is a goddess and is to be worshiped.

[hooligan]

Chiaki Kuriyama , even though she hasn’t really proven her self as an actress. And she not even American or speaks a lick of English (although I hear she's learning.) But all these things aside she is a goddess and is to be worshiped.

no way, i've seen better

[SunWuKong]

Chiaki Kuriyama , even though she hasn’t really proven her self as an actress. And she not even American or speaks a lick of English (although I hear she's learning.) But all these things aside she is a goddess and is to be worshiped.


great. but this thread is devoted to Asian American actors and actresses.

[mrazntre]

great. but this thread is devoted to Asian American actors and actresses.

mebbe he's illiterate and he doesn't know the difference? i hear those voice prompt programs are getting better and better every day...

[In-The-Flesh]

mebbe he's illiterate and he doesn't know the difference? i hear those voice prompt programs are getting better and better every day...

Hmm needs more funny


“Mebbe” next time you can do better.

[mrazntre]

Hmm needs more funny


“Mebbe” next time you can do better.


funny? i'm not being funny, i'm serious.

[In-The-Flesh]

funny? i'm not being funny, i'm serious.

Ok your serious and hilarious pointing out the shortcomings of others. I hope you can hold you head a bit higher now. Anyway your ruining the thread… Back on topic or be gone with thy. :p

[Shuriken]

You have to understand that Asian American actors don't get have many options to choose from and they are often elated that they get any offers at all.

I know. This is an argument that I've heard a zillion times before. And the paucity of opportunities makes APA actors all the more willing to appear in movies that are bad for the community. Just as the paucity of virile Asian men in Hollywood made many APAs embrace Rising Sun and Tagawa's character in the movie, thus giving support to its Japanese-businesses-are-murdering-white-Americans premise.

I'm sure that if Hollywood ever produced a movie preaching that all Asians should be exterminated from the face of the earth, APA actors would line up around the block to audition for it.

[mrazntre]

Ok your serious and hilarious pointing out the shortcomings of others. I hope you can hold you head a bit higher now. Anyway your ruining the thread… Back on topic or be gone with thy. :p


I wasn't being hilarious either.

You have shortcomings?

[In-The-Flesh]

I wasn't being hilarious either.

You have shortcomings?
Last I checked we all do... unless the mighty Zeus ejaculated you as well.

[kitty]

Okay guys, enough with the cute little quips it's getting a little off topic... please take it to the PM-ing if you want to keep it up...

[Faithless]

Dante Basco
http://www.tvtome.com/images/people/17/5/30-8107-sm.jpg


Heh, heh, heh...

I remember this guy as 'Rufio' from Hook...and from other films: Fakin' Da Funk, and the HBO(?) movie Riot. He is in Biker Boyz(with another actor I like--Derek Luke), a movie I need to look for...and he was the lead in The Debut.

He has three other brothers who are all actors: Dion, Derek, and Darion.

Link:

IMDB (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002364/)

Hey, he's from Pittsburg, CA -- just a few miles down the road!

[yuki]

Dante Basco
http://ia.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/79/88/33m.jpg


Heh, heh, heh...

I remember this guy as 'Rufio' from Hook
Bangerang!

[Faithless]

Has anyone seen this website -- a fan site dedicated to Chow Yun-Fat:

http://www.templeofchow.com/index2.html

[Shuriken]

This week's L.A. Weekly has an article about prostitution called The Geography of Hustling (http://www.laweekly.com/ink/03/52/features-slovick.php). It's a rather brutal, de-glamorizing piece about the physical and psychological abuse that pervades prostitution. I don't mean to make light of a serious topic, but in the article, this paragraph jumped out at me:

[Police Sergeant Dino] Caldera’s breakdown of the racial component [of prostitutes] invites more than a few questions. “There’s more white than black girls out here,” he says. “White girls make more money than the black girls. Asian girls make more money than white girls. Blond white girls get premium pay from Asian businessmen.”

If "Asian girls make more money than white girls" in prostitution, then there must be some kind of "demand" (to use a rather distastefully commercial term) for Asian female beauty among male "consumers" (ditto).

My question is: Why hasn't this translated into any big-name, above-the-title Asian female movie stars in Hollywood (before Lucy Liu, anyway), and why do the fashion and entertainment industries still seem to center around blonde women? Why are Asian female lead roles in Hollywood relegated to one-off projects like Come See the Paradise, The Joy Luck Club, and Snow Falling on Cedars? Despite the tsunami of WM/AF romantic pairings in the movies, none of the Asian actresses in these films really rose to the stature of, say, Michelle Pfeiffer or Julia Roberts? Why didn't the careers of Joan Chen, Tia Carrere, and Ming-Na — all of whom started out so auspiciously — not catch fire, with them ending up doing TV or straight-to-video movies?

In short, if Asian beauty is such a premium in the sex industry, why is it ghettoized in the entertainment industry?

That's my question. Maybe Lucy Liu will finally change all that. And maybe we'll finally have that breakthrough and get an Asian American romantic leading man. Again, I hope I don't sound like I'm trivializing the important issues about prostitution in the article. But this disconnect really puzzles me.

[SunWuKong]

This week's L.A. Weekly has an article about prostitution called The Geography of Hustling (http://www.laweekly.com/ink/03/52/features-slovick.php). It's a rather brutal, de-glamorizing piece about the physical and psychological abuse that pervades prostitution. I don't mean to make light of a serious topic, but in the article, this paragraph jumped out at me:



If "Asian girls make more money than white girls" in prostitution, then there must be some kind of "demand" (to use a rather distastefully commercial term) for Asian female beauty among male "consumers" (ditto).

My question is: Why hasn't this translated into any big-name, above-the-title Asian female movie stars in Hollywood (before Lucy Liu, anyway), and why do the fashion and entertainment industries still seem to center around blonde women? Why are Asian female lead roles in Hollywood relegated to one-off projects like Come See the Paradise, The Joy Luck Club, and Snow Falling on Cedars? Despite the tsunami of WM/AF romantic pairings in the movies, none of the Asian actresses in these films really rose to the stature of, say, Michelle Pfeiffer or Julia Roberts? Why didn't the careers of Joan Chen, Tia Carrere, and Ming-Na — all of whom started out so auspiciously — not catch fire, with them ending up doing TV or straight-to-video movies?

In short, if Asian beauty is such a premium in the sex industry, why is it ghettoized in the entertainment industry?

That's my question. Maybe Lucy Liu will finally change all that. And maybe we'll finally have that breakthrough and get an Asian American romantic leading man. Again, I hope I don't sound like I'm trivializing the important issues about prostitution in the article. But this disconnect really puzzles me.


is this a rhetorical question?

[kitty]

Because they are objectified in the sex industry but have to be humanized in a movie...

[KATANA]

Because they are objectified in the sex industry but have to be humanized in a movie...

Yeah, that's true. Hey, what ever happened to Tia Carreria(spelling) and Joan Chen? Before Lucy Liu, these two women were the Asian "it" girls in Hollywood. Not to mention they're better looking than Liu.

[SunWuKong]

Yeah, that's true. Hey, what ever happened to Tia Carreria(spelling) and Joan Chen? Before Lucy Liu, these two women were the Asian "it" girls in Hollywood. Not to mention they're better looking than Liu.

i don't think Tia Carrera is that good-looking. i think Lucy Liu looks better. and Joan Chen is not that good looking anymore. i know Shuriken will disagree with me on that. :p

[TidaMaria]

How about Russel Wong?

[Martino]

Is BD Wong, as an actor, popular or unpopular among YW regulars?

I've noted some antipathy towards him elsewhere (including accusations of him being a sell-out) but those opnions appear to be based on his screen work (TV and movies) whilst overlooking his stage career (which is where he really has star status).

Opinions?

[kitty]

Is BD Wong, as an actor, popular or unpopular among YW regulars?

I've noted some antipathy towards him elsewhere (including accusations of him being a sell-out) but those opnions appear to be based on his screen work (TV and movies) whilst overlooking his stage career (which is where he really has star status).

Opinions?

I have and always have worshipped B.D. Wong. I don't know much about his theatre career, but a glance at his biography is enough for me. I think he's an amazing actor, and one of the few Hollywood actors who hasn't completely sold out.

[Martino]

I have and always have worshipped B.D. Wong. I don't know much about his theatre career, but a glance at his biography is enough for me. I think he's an amazing actor, and one of the few Hollywood actors who hasn't completely sold out.

Have you ever looked at www.bdwong.moonfruit.com? It's a website by a British fan ... well, I say British, he's more ... um ... me.

[Martino]

Have you ever looked at www.bdwong.moonfruit.com? It's a website by a British fan ... well, I say British, he's more ... um ... me.

You don't like it? :(

If you're wondering why I chose BD for a fansite, there is a long story and a short story behind it. The short story is that when I first became aware of the actors work, and tried to find some info about him on the web, I only found two BD Wong websites: one was in Japanese, and the other hadn't been updated since 1998 and contained very little information about him - so I created my own! It was very hard work tracing his full theatrical career from about 1982 onwards ...

At that time I had just closed another project, an Alan Cumming website. As I had discovered that the infinitely better official Alan Cumming site was in the works, I decided it wasn't worth the time and effort maintaining it. I actually owned the url http://www.alancumming.com, and they wanted to buy it, so I gave it up for one penny (don't know what's that in cents).

My BD Wong site may also be doomed, as I have discovered that the official site will soon launch ...

I'm currently working on a Michael Gambon website http://www.michaelgambon.moonfruit.com, after which I'm thinking of creating another site about an Asian-Asian: Matt Chow. Matt is a director, writer, actor and mate of mine in Hong Kong, probably best known for Bullet Over Summer and ... er ... Bio Zombie.

[kitty]

oh... i'm sorry... i had't checked it out yet :) been busy...

[Martino]

oh... i'm sorry... i had't checked it out yet :) been busy...

Sorry ... I'm too pushy. http://www.kirupa.com/forums/smileys_files/thinkerg(1).gif

[bluemonq]

Because they are objectified in the sex industry but have to be humanized in a movie...

this is one of those things that really makes me :mad: not the humanization part but the objectification part...
*WARNING: statement-of-obvious*
objectifying women in general is stupid. but anyway, im curious about this: can anyone name a big-budget movie that did not involve martial arts/azn mafia of some sort/"charlie chan"-type stereotype that had a male asian lead (besides that "King and I" remake, think it was with chow yun fat; never actually saw it), and how many were actually successful?

[fresh22]

I don't know if hes already been discussed. Do some of you watch MAD tv? There is an Asian guy on there who always seems to dress up as a Asian girl in most skits. I think the guy even shaves his legs for the parts *chills*. What does he not have many roles to play as an Asian guy? *shakes head*

[Shuriken]

can anyone name a big-budget movie that did not involve martial arts/azn mafia of some sort/"charlie chan"-type stereotype that had a male asian lead (besides that "King and I" remake, think it was with chow yun fat; never actually saw it), and how many were actually successful?

http://www.nancy-kwan.com/nancyF8.jpg

A big-budget movie with an Asian male lead? One that comes to mind is Flower Drum Song, a large-budgeted 1961 movie based on the Rodgers & Hammerstein Broadway musical. Both James Shigeta (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0793363/) and Jack Soo (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0814530/) play romantic leads who get the gals (Miyoshi Umeki and Nancy Kwan, respectively). The movie was quite successful for its time. However, some viewers these days consider the characters to be hackneyed and stereotypical. (Though it's dated, I like the movie.)

James Shigeta played leading roles in two other medium-budgeted films: The Crimson Kimono (1959) and Bridge to the Sun (1961).

Russell Wong starred in Wayne Wang's Eat a Bowl of Tea (1989), based on the novel by Louis Chu, an "American Playhouse" production for PBS that was also released theatrically.

And a very successful big-budgeted non-martial-arts film with an Asian male lead is The Last Emperor (1987), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

[Martino]

I have and always have worshipped B.D. Wong. I don't know much about his theatre career, but a glance at his biography is enough for me. I think he's an amazing actor, and one of the few Hollywood actors who hasn't completely sold out.

For kittygirl ...

http://www.noahgreenberg.com/images/c_bdwong_lg.jpg

[kitty]

Martino... you are my hero :)

[Martino]

Martino... you are my hero :)


:O)

[haku]

I hope you weren't thinking romantically, Kittygirl - BD Wong is gay . In fact, he just published a book about the drama surrounding the birth of his adopted son (who was a preemie), via a surrogate mom.

You go, BD!

[kitty]

I hope you weren't thinking romantically, Kittygirl - BD Wong is gay . In fact, he just published a book about the drama surrounding the birth of his adopted son (who was a preemie), via a surrogate mom.

You go, BD!

uhm yes. i know this information. :)

[maxwell]

Nobody mentioned Kristin Kreuk? She plays Lana on Smallville.

[jjangAPSAchick]

robin shou is coming out with this movie. Red Trousers. I'm going to go watch it tonite. we'll see how it is. Btw I saw him in person and hes really buff man. his pecs were moving as we asked him questions on his own accord. Well that was kinda gross for me personally..lolz

www.redtrousers.com

[yoMAMA]

Nobody mentioned Kristin Kreuk? She plays Lana on Smallville.

She's......[don't want to use the dreaded H word :wink: ]

[younggiftedandblack]

Ok I was going to choose Marcus Chong, but I have no idea what his racial make-up is and he refuses to say. He's played black/asian roles in the past.

http://www.lurcherwebdesign.com/portfolio/project1/pics/matrix3.jpg

So I'm going to pick:

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Studio/2982/tt.jpg

TAMLYN TOMITA


or

http://www.tvland.com/shows/barneymiller/images/shows/actpic7.jpg

JACK SOO

[lethal]

Ok I was going to choose Marcus Chong, but I have no idea what his racial make-up is and he refuses to say. He's played black/asian roles in the past.

I'm pretty sure Chong is mixed asian/black. I attended a symposium with the cast of Robot stories and Greg Pak was joking with Ron Domingo that he was now the second most famous black asian actor who played asian type roles, next to Marcus Chong.

[kitty]

he's blasian.

[KATANA]

Hey, what ever happened to Michelle Yeoh? She was in only one American movie and that was a James Bond flick. I think she's better looking than Zhang Ziyi.

[hooligan]

Hey, what ever happened to Michelle Yeoh? She was in only one American movie and that was a James Bond flick. I think she's better looking than Zhang Ziyi.
michelle yeoh is way better looking than zhang ziyi.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

michelle yeoh is way better looking than zhang ziyi.

Maybe there's something wrong with my taste. I don't think Zhang Ziyi is stellar or nuthin but Michelle Yeoh is just blech. Sorry, allow me to be superficial for once, haha. ><

[kitty]

neither zhang zi yi or michelle yeoh to me really count as asian AMERICAN actors... but feel free to beg to differ.

and, i don't think the female actors should be picked based on who's hottest.

[KATANA]

I don't consider them Asian American either. I was just wondering what happened to Michelle because there was a lot of hype around her then she suddenly fell off the map.

[younggiftedandblack]

Sara Tanaka

http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Brown_Alumni_Magazine/99/3-99/elms/images/tanaka.jpg

web link (http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Brown_Alumni_Magazine/99/3-99/elms/rushmore.html)

[younggiftedandblack]

http://ia.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/76/13/53m.jpg
Arlene Tai

http://ia.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/92/22/53m.jpg
Ada Tai

Anybody heard of these two actresses? I just saw them today in the movie "Big Fish"

[younggiftedandblack]

http://entimg.msn.com/i/wi/04/03/04/53740/2347095.jpg

Sung Hi Lee

Actress - filmography
(2000s) (1990s)

Death to the Supermodels (2004) .... Hoo-Chi

Girl Next Door, The (2004) .... Ferrari

Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure (2003) (TV) ..Muka Laka Miki

This Girl's Life (2003) .... Kobi

"Shotgun Love Dolls" (2001) TV Series .... Fortune Cookie (pilot)

That Summer in LA (2000) .... Jackie

Nurse Betty (2000) .... Jasmine

Chain of Command (2000) .... Iris

Error in Judgment (1998) .... Toni

Night On the Water, A (1998) .... Phoebe

Weapons of Mass Distraction (1997) (TV) .... Kelly

Midnight Blue (1997) .... Streetwalker

[KATANA]

Sung Hi Lee as Hoo Chi in Death to the Supermodels? Damn, I got to see this movie now.

[younggiftedandblack]

http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorsH/42223.GIF

Benita Ha

Paycheck (2003) .... Wife
Picking Up and Dropping Off (2003) (TV) .... Rosalind
Final Destination 2 (2003) .... Dental Receptionist
Lily's Crickets (2002) .... Lily
NTSB: The Crash of Flight 323 (2001) (TV) .... D.C. Flight Attendant
Kevin of the North (2001) .... Airline Clerk ... aka Chilly Dogs (2002) (USA: video title)
"Black River" (2001) (mini) TV Series .... Charts' Assistant
Exiles In Paradise (2001) .... Ai Ling
Valentine (2001) .... Kim Wheeler
AntiTrust (2001) .... Party Reporter
6th Day, The (2000) .... Teacher
How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog (2000) .... Female Anchor
Up, Up, and Away! (2000) (TV) .... Mr. Parker
"Higher Ground" (2000) TV Series .... Annie Yao
10,000 Delusions (1999)
Feeling Called Glory, A (1999) .... Amy's Mother Rose
Christmas List, The (1997) (TV) .... Perfume Shopper
Love and Death on Long Island (1997) .... Weather Reporter
Alibi, The (1997) (TV) (uncredited) .... Girl At Marti's Ski Party
Panic in the Skies! (1996) (TV) .... Ticket Agent
Hard Core Logo (1996) .... Pipefitter's Girlfriend
X-Files: The Unopened File, The (1996) (V) .... Tour Guide
When the Vows Break (1995) (TV) .... Nurse Donna
"Metro Cafe" (1994) TV Series .... Vancouver host
Cadillac Girls (1993) .... Dixie
"Street Cents" (1989) TV Series .... Benita (Host)

[haku]

Check out:

http://www.haroldandkumar.com/

[nameless]

James Sie

"Infinite Darcy, The" (2004) TV Series (voice) .... Mr. Chang
"Game Over" (2004/I) TV Series (voice) .... Sam Chang
Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour (2003) (VG) (voice)
Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven (2003) (VG) (voice: English version)
Command & Conquer: Generals (2003) (VG) (voice)
Ghost World (2000) .... Steven, Asian Guy
"Jackie Chan Adventures" (2000) TV Series (voice) .... Jackie/Shendu the Fire Demon/Chow :tongue:
Bats (1999/I) .... Sergeant James
U.S. Marshals (1998) .... Vincent Ling
Strawberry Fields (1997) .... Luke
Chain Reaction (1996) .... Ken Lim
"King of the Hill" (1997).... Various voices
"Without a Trace" (2002) .... Walter Hagan
"Even Stevens" (2000) .... Chemistry Teacher
"V.I.P." (1998) .... Restaurant Critic
"Charmed" (1998) .... Shoe salesmen
"ER" (1994) .... Student #5
"Time Squad" (2001) .... Confucious
"Family Law" (1999) .... Lana Dagchen
"Providence" (1999) .... Delivery Guy
"For Your Love" (1998) .... Waiter
"It's Like, You Know..." (1999) .... Delivery Man
"Dharma & Greg" (1997)
"The Untouchables" (1993)

credit: IMDB (http://http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0796732/)


Looked up JCA's credits and turns out Sab Shimono does the voice of Uncle and Stacie Chan (Arcadia local) does the voice of Jade. Glad that Asians are doing the 'accents' or else I'd be kinda put off heh

[younggiftedandblack]

Lauren Tom

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/tv.yahoo.com/images/he/photo/tv_pix/nbc/dag_cast_photos/lauren_tom/dag.jpg

(In Production) (2000s) (1990s) (1980s)

Mulan II (2004) (V) (in production) (voice) .... Princess Mei


"Infinite Darcy, The" (2004) TV Series (voice) .... Darcy Chang
Teacher's Pet (2004) (voice) .... Younghee
... aka Disney's Teacher's Pet (2004) (USA: complete title)

Bad Santa (2003) .... Lois

Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour (2003) (VG) (voice)

Kim Possible: The Secret Files (2003) (V) (voice) .... Yoshiko
"Clifford's Puppy Days" (2003) TV Series (voice) .... Shun

Manhood (2003) .... Bambi
"Fillmore!" (2002) TV Series (voice) .... Karen Tehama
... aka "Disney's Fillmore!" (2002) (USA: complete title)

"Codename: Kids Next Door" (2002) TV Series (voice) .... Kuki Sanban (Numbuh 3)

Superman: Shadow of Apokolips (2002) (VG) .... Angela Chen/Mercy Graves

Wild Thornberrys Movie, The (2002) (uncredited) .... Additional Voices

"Zeta Project, The" (2001) TV Series (voice) .... Agent Lee (2001-2002)

"Samurai Jack" (2001) TV Series .... Additional Voices

Jack the Dog (2001) .... Angel

"Division, The" (2001) TV Series .... Nora Chen
... aka "Heart of the City" (2001) (USA)

Kids Next Door, The (2000) (TV) .... Numbah Three

"Max Steel" (2000) TV Series .... Laura Chen

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000/I) (V) (voice) .... Dana Tan
... aka Batman of the Future: Return of the Joker (2000) (V) (Europe: English title: cut version)
... aka Return of the Joker (2000) (V) (USA: informal English title)

"DAG" (2000) TV Series .... Ginger Chin

"Teacher's Pet" (2000/II) TV Series (voice) .... Additional Voice Talent
... aka "Disney's Teacher's Pet" (2000) (USA: complete title)

"Batman Beyond" (1999) TV Series (voice) .... Dana Tan (1999-2000)
... aka "Batman of the Future" (1999) (Europe: English title) (UK)

"Rocket Power" (1999) TV Series (voice) .... Trish/Sherry (1999)

"Kids From Room 402, The" (1999) TV Series (voice) .... Jordan

Batman Beyond: The Movie (1999) (TV) (voice) .... Dana Tan

Y2K (1999/II) (TV) .... Ann Lee
... aka Countdown to Chaos (1999) (TV) (USA)
... aka Y2K: The Movie (1999) (TV) (USA: promotional title)

Catfish in Black Bean Sauce (1999) .... Mai

"Futurama" (1999) TV Series (voice) .... Amy Wong/Mrs. Inez Wong/Jrrr

Susan's Plan (1998) .... Carol
... aka Dying to Get Rich (2000) (USA: video title)

With Friends Like These... (1998) .... Yolanda Chin

Batman/Superman Movie, The (1998) (TV) (voice) .... Angela Chen
... aka Batman/Superman Adventures: World's Finest (1998) (TV) (USA)

Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998) (V) (voice) .... Mariko
... aka Subzero (1998) (V) (USA)

"Grace Under Fire" (1993) TV Series .... Dot (1997-1998)

Murder Live! (1997) (TV) .... Marge Fong

Tell Me No Secrets (1997) (TV) .... Connie Ching

"King of the Hill" (1997) TV Series (voice) .... Minh/Kahn Souphanousinphone Jr.

"Superman" (1996) TV Series (voice) .... Angela Chen
... aka "Superman: The Animated Series" (1996) (USA: informal alternative title)

Superman: The Last Son of Krypton (1996) (TV) (voice) .... Angela Chen

Escape to Witch Mountain (1995) (TV) .... Claudia Ford

In the Line of Duty: Kidnapped (1995) (TV) .... Lily Yee

North (1994) .... Mrs. Ho

When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) .... Amy
... aka To Have and to Hold (1994)

Mr. Jones (1993) .... Amanda Chang

Joy Luck Club, The (1993) .... Lena St. Clair

Man Trouble (1992) .... Adele Bliss

Angel of Death (1990) (TV) .... Julie

Cadillac Man (1990) .... Helen - Dim Sum Girl

Blue Steel (1990) .... Female Reporter

See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) .... Mitzie

Rooftops (1989) .... Audry

Magic Sticks (1987) .... Redhead

Wall Street (1987) .... Lady Broker

Nothing Lasts Forever (1984) .... Eloy

Mom's On Strike (1984) (TV) .... Sarah

Doonesbury: A Broadway Musical (1983) .... Ching 'Honey' Huan
... aka Doonesbury: A Musical Comedy (1983) (USA)
... aka Doonesbury: A New Musical (1983) (USA: poster title)



Filmography as: Actress, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Notable TV Guest Appearances

"Pet Star" (2003) playing "Judge" (episode # 3.1) 23 January 2004

"Kim Possible" (2002) playing "Yoshiko" (voice) in episode: "A Very Possible Christmas" (episode # 2.15) 5 December 2003

"Teen Titans" (2003) playing "Gizmo" (voice) in episode: "Car Trouble" (episode # 1.11) 11 November 2003

"Justice League" (2001) playing "Chung" (voice) in episode: "Eclipsed: Part 1" (episode # 2.13) 8 November 2003

"Duck Dodgers" (2003) playing "Dr. Yoshimi" (voice) in episode: "Duck Deception/The Spy Who Didn't Love Me" (episode # 1.1) 23 August 2003

"Monk" (2002) playing "Mrs. Ling" in episode: "Mr. Monk and the 12th Man" (episode # 2.9) 22 August 2003

"Teen Titans" (2003) playing "Gizmo, Jinx" (voice) in episode: "Final Exam" (episode # 1.1) 19 July 2003

"All Grown Up" (2003) playing "Bean" (voice) in episode: "Interview with a Campfire: Part 2" (episode # 1.15) 20 June 2003

"All Grown Up" (2003) playing "Bean" (voice) in episode: "Interview with a Campfire: Part 1" (episode # 1.14) 18 June 2003

"What's New, Scooby-Doo?" (2002) playing "Backup Singer #1" (voice) in episode: "Riva Ras Regas" (episode # 1.6) 2 November 2002

"What's New, Scooby-Doo?" (2002) playing "Mandy Dimwittie" (voice) in episode: "It's
Mean, It's Green, It's the Mystery Machine" (episode # 1.5) 26 October 2002

"What's New, Scooby-Doo?" (2002) playing "Heather Lane" (voice) in episode: "3-D Struction" (episode # 1.2) 21 September 2002

"What's New, Scooby-Doo?" (2002) playing "Nancy Chang" (voice) in episode: "There's No Creature Like Snow Creature" (episode # 1.1) 14 September 2002

"Totally Spies" (2001) playing "Keiko" (voice) in episode: "Man or Machine" (episode # 1.26) 15 June 2002

"Kim Possible" (2002) playing "Yoshiko" (voice) in episode: "Crush" (episode # 1.1) 7 June 2002

"Totally Spies" (2001) playing "Lady Dragon" (voice) in episode: "Game Girls" (episode # 1.19) 20 April 2002

"My Wife and Kids" (2001) playing "Hostess" in episode: "Table for Too Many: Part 2" (episode # 2.17) 6 February 2002

"My Wife and Kids" (2001) playing "Hostess" in episode: "Table for Too Many: Part 1" (episode # 2.16) 6 February 2002

"Batman Beyond" (1999) playing "Agent Lee" (voice) in episode: "Countdown" (episode # 3.12) 7 April 2001

"Batman Beyond" (1999) playing "Green Lantern" (voice) in episode: "The Call: Part 2" (episode # 3.8) 18 November 2000

"Batman Beyond" (1999) playing "Green Lantern" (voice) in episode: "The Call: Part 1" (episode # 3.7) 11 November 2000

"Weekenders, The" (2000) playing "Candace" (voice) in episode: "Real Fake"
"Early Edition" (1996) playing "Amy Hunter" in episode: "Play It Again, Sammo" (episode # 3.22) 8 May 1999

"Vengeance Unlimited" (1998) playing "Samantha" in episode: "Dishonorable Discharge" (episode # 1.8) 17 December 1998

"Extreme Ghostbusters" (1997) (voice) in episode: "Fallout" (episode # 1.27) 12 November 1997

"Batman: Gotham Knights" (1997) playing "Ice Lady" in episode: "Cold Comfort" (episode # 1.89) 11 October 1997

"Batman: Gotham Knights" (1997) playing "Angela Chen" in episode: "World's Finest" (episode # 1.88) 4 October 1997

"Tracey Takes On..." (1996) playing "Weng" in episode: "Race Relations" (episode # 2.12) 9 April 1997

"New Batman Superman Adventures, The" (1997) playing "Angela Chen" (voice) in episode: "Action Figures"

"New Batman Superman Adventures, The" (1997) playing "Angela Chen" (voice) in episode: "Brave New Metropolis"

"Friends" (1994) playing "Julie" in episode: "The One with Russ" (episode # 2.10) 4 January 1996

"Friends" (1994) playing "Julie" in episode: "The One with the List" (episode # 2.8) 16 November 1995

"Friends" (1994) playing "Julie" in episode: "The One Where Ross Finds Out" (episode # 2.7) 9 November 1995

"Friends" (1994) playing "Julie" in episode: "The One with Phoebe's Husband" (episode # 2.4) 12 October 1995

"Friends" (1994) playing "Julie" in episode: "The One with the Breast Milk" (episode # 2.2) 28 September 1995

"Friends" (1994) playing "Julie" in episode: "The One with Ross's New Girlfriend" (episode # 2.1) 21 September 1995

"Friends" (1994) playing "Julie" in episode: "The One Where Rachel Finds Out" (episode # 1.23) 18 May 1995

"Nanny, The" (1993) playing "Kim" in episode: "The Chatterbox" (episode # 2.25) 15 May 1995

"Chicago Hope" (1994) playing "Nurse Julia" in episode: "Love and Hope" (episode # 1.10) 9 January 1995

"Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993) playing "Emma Zoole" in episode: "Happy to Be Here" (episode # 3.5) 18 November 1994

"Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993) playing "Emma Zoole" in episode: "A Model Citizen" (episode # 3.4) 11 November 1994

"Chicago Hope" (1994) playing "Nurse Julia" in episode: "You Gotta Have Heart" (episode # 1.4) 13 October 1994

"704 Hauser" (1994) playing "Margaret" in episode: "Triskaidekaphobia" (episode # 1.4) 2 May 1994

"Puzzle Place, The" (1994) playing "Julie's Mom" in episode: "Family Matters"

"Anything But Love" (1989) in episode: "First Lady Sings the Blues" (episode # 4.7) 20 November 1991

"Quantum Leap" (1989) playing "Sophie" in episode: "Southern Comforts - August 4, 1961" (episode # 3.16) 3 April 1991

"Palace Guard" (1991) in episode: "Eye of Newt" (episode # 1.6) 1991

"thirtysomething" (1987) playing "Gail" in episode: "The Distance" (episode # 4.4) 16 October 1990

"Spenser: For Hire" (1985) in episode: "Children of a Tempest Storm" (episode # 1.5) 11 October 1985

"Equalizer, The" (1985) playing "Mrs. Tom" in episode: "China Rain" (episode # 1.2) 25 September 1985

"Reading Rainbow" (1983) playing "Herself" (voice) in episode: "Liang and the Magic Paintbrush" 1983

"Facts of Life, The" (1979) playing "Miko" in episode: "Runaway" (episode # 3.18) 24 February 1982

"Facts of Life, The" (1979) playing "Miko" in episode: "The Americanization of Miko" (episode # 3.13) 20 January 1982

[younggiftedandblack]

KG,

Who's the spotlight for this month???

[Martino]

KG,

Who's the spotlight for this month???

Just a news snippet for you: BD Wong started filming a comedy movie called Social Grace on 2 August ... as the director! Details are sketchy, but the cast includes Margaret Cho and Cindy Cheung.

Um ...

It's a comedy about inter-racial dating (ducks)

[younggiftedandblack]

http://ia.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/78/09/33m.jpg
Keiko Agena

Date of birth (location)
3 October 1973
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA


Actress - filmography

Beauty Shop (2004) (filming) .... Suki

Perfect Party, The (2004/I) .... Kiko

Cats and Mice (2003) .... Sue

Red Thread (2003) .... Matilda Wong

Tomato and Eggs (2002) .... Maria

"Gilmore Girls" (2000) TV Series .... Lane Kim
... aka "Gilmore Girls: Beginnings" (2000) (USA: rerun title)

Hundred Percent (1998) .... Casey

Terror in the Shadows (1995) (TV) .... Student Aide

[kitty]

sorry i've been too busy to keep this up. New spotlight up today. i chose parminder nagra ... asian british, but she's making it big in america, and she's one of the few asian indian 'american' faces on TV right now.

[dalawampu]

Rodb Schneider is part Filipino! he was even on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer talking about the differences between Tagalog and Ilokano accents and how he incorperated those accents to play some hawaiian guy in 50 first dates! lol

[Faithless]

Rodb Schneider is part Filipino! he was even on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer talking about the differences between Tagalog and Ilokano accents and how he incorperated those accents to play some hawaiian guy in 50 first dates! lol
Rob Schneider knows that much about Filipinos? I would never have guessed.

Does that mean he isn't afraid to show/talk about that side of him?

[Shuriken]

http://www.allstarz.org/~seanconnery/sun09.jpg

I'm still angry that the Web site GoldSea.com insists on keeping Rising Sun on its list of "Asian-Friendly Movies." (If you want to see the page, you'll have to find it yourself. I'm not going to link you.) The film is basically warmed-over Fu Manchu: it's premised on the idea that Japanese businesses get ahead by murdering white Americans, especially white American women. And the story is about two non-Asian police detectives — played by Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes — trying to crack the murder case.

Some defend the film by saying that the murderer is really non-Asian and that other non-Asians are presented in a less-than-flattering light. But the movie's epilogue suggests that the non-Asian fingered for the murder at the climax is just taking the fall for (one of) his superiors at the Japanese company — which sounds suspiciously like brain-washing to me. And the other non-Asian bad guys are portrayed as beholden to the Japanese. Not a very balanced picture.

In trying to add some "balance" to the story, Rising Sun adds two arguably "positive" Asian roles to the story, but they're just more stock figures. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa plays a Japanese playboy who sacrifices his life so that the non-Asian leads can live. And Tia Carrere plays a half-black Japanese video expert who all but renounces her Asian heritage and takes a non-Asian boyfriend.

GoldSea insists that Rising Sun is "Asian-Friendly" primarily because Tagawa plays a rarity on screen: a virile Asian man. Indeed, their description of the film makes it sound like Tagawa plays a major role, when in fact, he only has a few brief scenes. Furthermore, the Web site adamantly maintains that the film's villainous portrayal of Asians is an empowering one nevertheless. I disagree. Vilifying Asian virility and Asian empowerment is no less troublesome, in my view, than their absence from the screen.

If GoldSea had said instead that Tagawa's character is an agreeable figure of resistance in an otherwise problematic film, I would appreciate such an argument. But to recommend Rising Sun in its entirety — lock, stock, and barrel — gives the movie's anti-Asian aspects a free pass. I believe that Twentieth Century Fox, the film's producers, thought that it could buy off the Asian American community by throwing a few crumbs from its table. GoldSea appears to be gobbling them up.

It dismisses the problem when someone says that the people who run GoldSea are just a bunch of [fill in the expletive of your choice here]s. The problem is that a lot of Asian Americans out there are so starved for images of Asian manhood that they're willing to see Asian virility vilified, just as long as they see Asian virility at all.

I say that this compounds the problem. It's not good enough just to see Asian virility on screen (and visibility is not the same as affirmation); it has to be placed on the same level as Caucasian virility if it's to do any good. And making a virile Asian the ethnically marked antagonist of a non-Asian hero (especially one with an Asian female love interest) doesn't do this.

If the Asian American community supports Asian villains, Hollywood will have little or no incentive to portray virile Asian men any other way.

[Shuriken]

***

Looking over my previous post, I now realize that it sounds like Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa plays a villain in Rising Sun, and some may defend the film on the grounds that he's not a villain. Tagawa doesn't exactly play a villain, but he play's the film's prime suspect.

Throughout the movie, the audience is led to believe that he might be the murderer, and this makes us be especially wary of his relationship with a white woman. (The Japanese "are stealing our precious natural reasources," says one supporting character about the Tagawa role's relationship with Caucasian women.) So, Tagawa's sexuality is vilified throughout Rising Sun. In the end, the best was for him to prove his goodness is to sacrifice his life so that the film's non-Asian heroes can live.

In short, Tagawa plays the role of the self-sacrificial Asian supporting character, a prevalent stereotype sometimes called "the Gunga Din figure," after Rudyard Kipling's doomed Indian character. Tagawa's role may have been a glamourous Gunga Din. He may have been a virile Gunga Din. He may have been a sexy Gunga Din. But he was still a Gunga Din.

[younggiftedandblack]

http://www.cathyshim.com/images/res.jpg
CATHY SHIM

Resume (http://www.cathyshim.com/resume.htm)

[Shuriken]

From Anna May Wong: A Complete Guide to Her Film, Stage, Radio and Television Work by Philip Liebfried and Chei Mi Lane (Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2004), p. 3-4:


http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/30/30_images/tokuko.jpg

Tokuko Nagai Takagi


In the 1910s and 1920s, several "all-Chinese" film companies sprang up , of which Marion E. Wong's Mandarin Film Company was the first. Their purpose was to provide motion pictures with authentic Chinese actors and actresses in stories featuring accurate portrayals of the Chinese people. Unlike the related "race movies" produced by African-American outfits, they quickly withered and died, like unwatered flowers, due to a lack of outlets for exhibiting them.

A few [Asian American] entertainers did manage to make names for themselves. A Japanese dancer by the name of Tokuko Nagai Takagi (http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/30/tokuko.html) (1891-1919) came to the United States and appeared in four films for the Thanhouser Company in 1911 and 1912, all unfortunately lost. In 1914, a native-born Japanese actor named Sessue Hayakawa (1889-1973) entered films in the U.S. and became an immediate star. His wife, Tsuru Aoki (1892-1961), also a native Japanese, appeared in many of his films [as well as her own]. By the mid-twenties he had departed for Europe, making pictures in France and England. (Hayakawa did appear in one Hollywood film in the 1930s — Daughter of the Dragon (1931) [starring Anna May Wong]. He later returned to his native Japan where he appeared in only one film; after that it was back to France until 1949, when Hollywood again beckoned. The busy actor made two more films in his homeland in the early 1950s before returning to the west. He died in Tokyo. A popular vaudeville singer known as "The Chinese Nightingale," the Cantonese-born Lady Tsen Mei (1888-1985), starred in a film for the Lubin Company of Philadelphia in 1918 entitled [i]For Freedom of the East. She made at least two subsequent film appearances in the 1920s, then returned to vaudeville before changing her name to Josephine Kramer and opening a booking agency with her American husband in the early 1940s.

These were the exceptions and all Asian-born; other Asians and Asian-Americans toiled for years as movie extras [in Hollywood] while Caucasians made up to look Asian, a technique known as "yellowface," were given important roles and the credits. It would take an extremely precocious and determined second-generation Chinese-American girl, who early in life became enamored of motion pictures, to attain more than a modicum of success in the industry and to break down the barriers allowing others of Asian extraction to receive real recognition on the silver screen of the United States.

In other words...

http://www.allposters.com/IMAGES/71/039_70151.jpg

[Anna May Wong's grandparents came from China. So, she would be a third-generation Chinese American (hyphens in the original) if you counted the immigrant generation as the first "Americans" in her family tree. The punctuation in the Daughter of the Dragon sentence is odd.]

[Shuriken]

From Anna May Wong: A Complete Guide to Her Film, Stage, Radio and Television Work by Philip Liebfried and Chei Mi Lane (Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2004), p. 3-4:

I misspelled Philip Leibfried's name. Apologies all around.

[Shuriken]

I've been watching the episode of Kung Fu titled "The Tide" over and over again just grooving on what a gorgeous specimen of muliebrity Tina Chen (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0155395/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxzZz0xfGxtPTIwMHxwbj0wfHE9dG luYSBjaGVufGh0bWw9MXxubT1vbg__;fc=1;ft=20;fm=1) was when she shot the segment back in 1973. Here's a more recent picture of her...

http://www.nytheatre-wire.com/ma03061b.jpeg

She's not quite the spring chicken that she was when the episode was filmed, but I think that she still looks good. (Invariably, some YW member will write a post saying how "fugly" she is. Remember that this reflects more on the poster's immaturity than on the actress herself.) Tina Chen is perhaps best rembered for playing Arlo Guthrie's girlfriend in Arthur Penn's Alice's Restaurant (1969). Unfortunately, she hasn't done that many movies or TV shows, devoting most of her energies to the New York stage.

I can't help but notice what a conservative dresser she's been in most of the roles that I remember seeing her in (I guess this says a lot about me). In "The Tide" and other appearances, she's usually covered completely from neck to wrists to ankles. It's as if she were trying to hide an open-heart-surgery scar or something like that.

Anyway, a rotating still of Tina Chen and David Carradine in "The Tide" (along with other images from Kung Fu) can be found here (http://www.kungfucinema.com/reviews/kungfu.htm).

And a more recent still of her in the play Comfort Women can be found here (http://asianconnections.com/a/?article_id=500).


Edit: "The Tide" also contains the non-speaking bit part of a dancer played by a very young, very uncredited Rosalind Chow.

[kitty]

I'm looking for more nominations. Serious nominations :) -- please post names only here (don't actually create/post a spotlight, please.) Karma for any good nominations that are actually used.

[Martino]

I'm looking for more nominations. Serious nominations :) -- please post names only here (don't actually create/post a spotlight, please.) Karma for any good nominations that are actually used.

Eh? Free karma?

Have you spotlighted Cindy Cheung (of Greg Pak's Robot Stories etc) yet?

[kitty]

not yet. spotlights are listed in the first post of this thread :).

[Martino]

I'm looking for more nominations. Serious nominations :) -- please post names only here (don't actually create/post a spotlight, please.) Karma for any good nominations that are actually used.

I also nominate Joel de la Fuente - not much of a film and TV career, but critically acclaimed on the stage.

Ditto Sab Shimono, currently treading the boards on Broadway, I think.

[KATANA]

I nominate Christine Toy Johnson, eventhough she does have a white husband.

[Shuriken]

In a thread about Kristin Kreuk now closed by Kitty, I said that the actress "raised the bar for more 'Asian-looking' hapas to play white roles." What I meant to say is that she lowered the bar. I don't think that a hapa actress with her look would have been cast in a white role 20 years ago, and this is a small step forward.

I know that some YWers think she looks 100% Caucasian. To what degree a hapa does or does not look "Asian" will probably always be a judgement call. All I can say is that when my dad watched Smallville with me for the first time and Kreuk's face appeared on the screen, he instantly turned to me and asked, "Is she Asian?" I don't recall him ever asking me that about a celebrity who was fully white.

[ninjah 55]

edit: this is not a thread for discussion. re-posted in a new thread. -kitty


I nominate Mako, one of AAs most prolific actors; studied at the acclaimed Actors' Studio in the 60's, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in "Sand Pebbles" w/ Steve Mc Queen and played the villan in countless action flicks but also played teachers and masters (Conan, the Barbarian) and did great indies(The Wash)

How bout Will Yun Lee..."Torque", "Elektra"...he just did a pilot as the lead in New Orleans...rumored to be in line for stardom in some New Line franchise...great guy

[BigLew]

Who the hell is Mako and what does prolific mean?

[nameless]

Who the hell is Mako and what does prolific mean?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0538683/

[BigLew]

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0538683/
Yeah that dude is dope in that movie he gets his head cut off.

[ninjah 55]

Hey Lew, sorry I couldn't find that site address... yeah he is an unreal actor.... did you see how many films and tv that he's done... that's what prolific means, a incredible amount of something; in this case the number of films.

I nominate Jason Scott Lee... although he hasn't done much lately, he was voted " best newcomer" the year that he did "Dragon" bout the life of Bruce Lee

[ninjah 55]

I kinda liked his character in Rising Sun... I know, I know Rising Sun was a racist portrayal of asians and blaze bla

Thanx for that Big Lew, it means you can like a character even if the film sucks...There in lies the problem...someone named this thread "was Rising Sun a good film for APIAS?" I defended myself on Shuriken not knowing me and having such a "sellout" attitude. There were so many things that came out pretty bad, I agree. The actor is not the director nor the editor nor the studio. You do what you're given and pray for the best.

On the point of Eddie Sakamura, the character was changed from a drugged out playboy who ends up dead in a pool to a karaoke,sushi eating, nipple sucking ( which you posted that you liked) sacrificing hero.

Why did he have to be a Gunga Din? Because they can't afford in Hollywood to have Asian men look virile and live. They can't stand to see a yellow man and a white woman together. It undermines their sexual superiority. Women did respond to Eddie and in my naive way believed that Eddie could have done for me, what "Thelma and Louise" did for Brad Pitt... not his career but as jumpstart...You do some bad parts in hopes that something better comes from it.

That happened with "The Last Emperor", "License to Kill" (where I played a drug agent not a druglord), a businessman in "Knott's Landing", "Cybil", "Miami Vice" as a yakuza turned detective( which was under discussion to become a spinoff at the time) "Nash Bridges" and finally "Johnny Tsunami". I've played alot of good guys and even good bad guys like "American Me". I know you liked that one Lew....

We should change this thread to something else because I think we've exhausted the "Rising Sun " bashing. From Michael Crichton's selling an alarmist book to Phil Kaufman's "kinder and gentler take", we've murdered the white suspect, beat up the corpse, dumped it in the grave and pissed on it.

Can we move on? I'm not defending Hollywood,Phil Kaufman ( although he is my friend) or racists....I was defending myself...Now what may be relevant is questions bout the nature of the biz and vision of what is possible to change and how...Let's step it up, guys if we can

[kimpossible]

We should change this thread to something else because I think we've exhausted the "Rising Sun " bashing. From Michael Crichton's selling an alarmist book to Phil Kaufman's "kinder and gentler take", we've murdered the white suspect, beat up the corpse, dumped it in the grave and pissed on it.

Can we move on? I'm not defending Hollywood,Phil Kaufman ( although he is my friend) or racists....I was defending myself...Now what may be relevant is questions bout the nature of the biz and vision of what is possible to change and how...Let's step it up, guys if we can

Agreed. I know we're not all in agreement as to whether ninjah_55 is really CHT or not, and in the end it doesn't matter. He's been patient, on topic and put up with a lot of crazy questions (including mine) without replying in anger or ignoring difficult questions or criticism.

It's a good change of pace to shift to constructive.

[Shuriken]

http://www.algonet.se/~nalle5/bond/galleri/bilder/man/tagawa1.jpg

It would be great to see CARY-HIROYUKI TAGAWA play Xi-men Qing in a movie version of the Chin Ping Mei, a film that does justice to the 16th-century Chinese novel. The character may not be that nice a guy, but — hey — he's the story's male lead, and I'm sure CHT would do justice to the part.

[nola]

Check out the nice 5-page cover article on Sandra Oh in the latest Bust magazine. She's pretty cool.

[xzotyqarz]

in a TV episode of Cheers! (i don't usually watch it; just happen to see this one time)

that asian (chinese?) guy with a girl (non-non-asian; that is, another chinese? girl) walking into the Cheers! bar as an 'extra'; they get to walk into the background behind the bar... and do not get any interaction with the main or minor characters of the episode.

end result:
a young chinese dude gets the 'wallpaper' or 'background' treatment.
(in a sense i see myself identifying with that actor as being portrayed exactly the way hollywood wants it... 'wallpaper')

never knew who the actors were.

[Martino]

in a TV episode of Cheers! (i don't usually watch it; just happen to see this one time)

that asian (chinese?) guy with a girl (non-non-asian; that is, another chinese? girl) walking into the Cheers! bar as an 'extra'; they get to walk into the background behind the bar... and do not get any interaction with the main or minor characters of the episode.

end result:
a young chinese dude gets the 'wallpaper' or 'background' treatment.
(in a sense i see myself identifying with that actor as being portrayed exactly the way hollywood wants it... 'wallpaper')

never knew who the actors were.

Er ... and what's the point of telling us this riveting piece of information? They're called extras, and come in all shapes and sizes.

[xzotyqarz]

Er ... and what's the point of telling us this riveting piece of information? They're called extras, and come in all shapes and sizes.

Asian couple, extras, yes.

But, I didn't know it at first, I took notice only because I thought, incorrectly, it was one of the Cheers cast coming into the seen, and maybe they'd interact with the rest. I watched these characters walk into the background and they never showed up after, so I thought, oh, okay, extras.

And, no, I don't do 'research' before watching a show, I just flip channels and if a 'happy' show shows up (comedy), I'll watch it to see what it's about.

Granted, 'Cheers' implied it was a sitcom in a bar; even though I don't drink beer, I wanted to know what the media hype was about (at the time it was popular), and all the reruns proliferating numerous time slots and channels.

I had probably forgotten that I may have gotten a glimpse several years earlier when Cheers first started, and lost interest in ever continuing to watch it.

As for every size and shapes, except for the Asian male, the main white characters take on all size and shapes indistinguishable from the white extras. So there's no way I can tell otherwise.

The closest thing to an ethnic in a current TV show is the oddball Hispanic kid in
'That 70's Show' that an Asian male wouldn't even qualify for... or would only qualify for... etc.

(i'm using TV shows as an example as it is in the common household more that 'movies'.)

how do you think one feels when one sees a typical episode of 'Friends'?
love/love lost/misunderstandings/etc... for whites only... in real life this is perhaps duplicated because this is the way everyone is indoctrinated by what they see on TV?

recently seen the shortfilm "Eve" (2002)

involved are a series of vignettes with Eve walking through colorful outdoor scenery looking for her first mate (Adam)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312493/
in it, there's an Asian male, but i cannot figure out who, as one of the several 'Adams' (i think there's 3 Adams in the film; 2 Eves?)
the credits only show one of each.

surprised to see that he gets to kiss Eve (played by a white girl) in a love embrace.

a first sighting for me.

a rare combination (one of a kind?) in a movie made by westerners.

there is some hope for the rest of us, eh?

(i see that i'm racking up negative karma, maybe this should be in the 'rant' section? if so, sorry!)

[Faithless]

Old article about a guy I don't think has been metioned on YW!

Welly Yang - The Meaning of Asian-American: A novelist and actor discuss art, perception and lingering stereotypes (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3069216/)
By Suki Kim
Newsweek Web Exclusive
Updated: 12:36 p.m. ET July 10, 2003

July 10 - Welly Yang is an actor, singer, writer and a producer. His acting credits include leading roles in “Miss Saigon” on Broadway and the Peter Sellars-John Adams opera “Ceiling/Sky” at Lincoln Center. He’s also had a recurring role on several TV shows, including “Law and Order: Special Victim Unit.”

IN 1997, he founded the theater company Second Generation and conceived and co-wrote the company’s first musical, “Making Tracks,” about six generations of an Asian family, which recently completed a two-month run in Seattle. The 30-year-old Yang will be starring in his own musical adaptation of Ang Lee’s film “The Wedding Banquet,” which will have its world premiere in Taiwan on Aug. 8 before coming to the United States. Last week, I met the native New Yorker in Chinatown, just blocks from his theater company, where we talked about the Asian face, the cultural ghetto and J. Lo.

Suki Kim: You just got back from Taipei yesterday, where you are producing and starring in a musical version of “The Wedding Banquet.” Why are you doing it?

Welly Yang: I have always been interested in works that have social importance. “The Wedding Banquet” was one of the most successful independent films. Actually in that year, it was more profitable than “Jurassic Park.” It’s about the conflict between East and West, between two generations, and the hero who is caught between two worlds and has to negotiate his American life against the weight of traditions. We’ve seen stories about our cultures and society from the Western point of view, and for me it was about bringing a new point of view, a new window in seeing the way our world is in our eyes. And it’s been interesting to translate the film into a musical.

So it was a personal decision to premiere it in Taiwan?

IMG: Arts and Opinions
I wanted it to be in Taiwan first. The story is about a Taiwanese-American in New York. Ang Lee is Taiwanese. Although I was born in this country, my parents are from Taiwan. Taiwan has always been the underdog in the world. They were occupied by Portuguese, Japanese, Dutch. China won’t let them become a member of the United Nations. There are missile threats every other day. I guess I wanted to raise Taiwan’s status. Something in my American side makes me root for the underdog.

How was the film “Wedding Banquet” received in Taiwan?

It was a success, although the gay theme is still subversive. I think that the Taiwanese society is much more conservative than their government in terms of homosexuality. But things are changing fast in Taiwan because of the economic democratic reforms in the last 10 years. Media has gone crazy there. They follow politicians and TV stars everywhere. There is no privacy almost. You think of New York being a fast city, but we are like France compared to Asia.

It’s true. There’s a bit of paranoia and panic you feel in Asia. I go to Seoul, South Korea, about once a year. And it’s like a city on speed. I feel like a country girl when I am there, and I live in the heart of Manhattan!

Were you born in Korea?

I am what you call the 1.5 generation. I came here when I was 13. English is my second language. I didn’t have the Asian-American experience of growing up here. In Korea, you don’t think of yourself as Asian, which is a relative term. You don’t think about white and black people; you never see them except in movies. This label of Asian-American is something I came here and learned. I learned writing before I learned about being Asian-American. Despite the fact that my novel deals with the Korean-American experience, I still did not think of that as “Asian-American.” It’s something that is being constantly thrown at me, which I am learning to acknowledge, or take advantage of, or just deal with.

You are Asian-American and so am I, supposedly. But we have completely different experiences. I know nothing about Taiwan, and that’s not even where you were born. How comfortable are you with the Asian-American artist label? Isn’t it tiring to be perceived as the voice of your people when what you really want is to sit down and make art?

The Asian-American movement was defined by the Asian-Americans themselves. It’s a device to give us a voice. For so long, I fought hard to be just like everyone else, to be the same. When I started to perform, I realized I wasn’t the same because of the roles I was getting as an actor. So I began to write and produce, as well. At first, I was not even sure if my company, Second Generation, should be Asian. I thought it should just be a theater company. Then I started thinking about things that were important to me, and everything always came back to telling stories about these experiences. I believe in honesty in art. I am an Asian-American artist because of the work I create and find important to create. I am actively promoting Asian-American stories. As an Asian-American, I am always being typecast anyway, so I have to make that into my strength.

The biggest problem with things that are labeled as Asian-American, which can cover anything, is that they are marginal. But then you take a movie like “The Wedding Banquet,” and you really dissect it, and nothing about it is marginal, because it’s a familiar territory. It’s comedy of errors but in a very mainstream, recognizable way. Like the hit movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” which was really a sitcom with exoticism thrown in it. To bring a marginal story and appeal it to the mainstream audience—how do you do that?

I always try to create universal art. The answer lies in the specificity of that story. The more specific I am, the more universal it becomes. Because we all put ourselves in those people whom we identify with. When I first saw the film, “The Wedding Banquet,” I was still in college and was about to decide what I wanted to do with my life. I had spent every summer doing theater and knew that it was my passion. Now I had to face my parents and tell them. Wai Tung coming out in the film was very similar to my own coming out as an artist. For most Asian-American parents, art is not necessarily the path they envision for their children.

I don’t know if that’s such an Asian dilemma. I have not had the similar experience personally. My parents have always been encouraging. In a way, I think that is an immigrant dilemma. Fresh immigrants don’t cross the ocean to have your kids turn out to be a singer.

That reminds me of a quote by President John Adams, who said that “I study war and politics so my children can study economics, so their children can one day study literature and art.” When I first told my mother I wanted to be an actor, she said, what are you going to do, play a houseboy for the rest of your life? I had just finished playing Ito in the musical “Mame,” and my lines were all like “Speak no English, Auntie Mame.”

Why are there so few Asians in theater and film?

Asians were only properly allowed in this country since 1965 [before which there were quotas on Asian immigrants]. We’ve been here, but not in numbers that make a significant impact. People tell stories of what they know. There aren’t a lot of Asian people doing that. People are writing from the Jewish experience or WASP experience. When later generations study who we were, they will look at our culture—literature, theater, art. When Asians are absent from that, it’s wrong. I think it’s a human-rights issue. It’s like saying, there are only certain things available to you in this world, and these things are not because you look like this.

I admire Ang Lee who can turn around and make “Sense and Sensibility” and “Ice Storm,” as well as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “The Wedding Banquet” and now “The Hulk.” The choices he’s made have been brilliant. It’s about not being pigeon-holed. How do you personally transcend having to play only a houseboy or a kung-fu master?

There are jazz purists who dictate what is and what isn’t. If it’s borrowing from that tradition, isn’t the reinterpretation of jazz reflecting what our society is today, and in some way, more important than the museum type of jazz? Museum is what segregates and pushes away. It’s not fluid, but frozen in time. We have to keep redefining what Asian-American is. I don’t want to be ghettoized. But at the same time, I do want to embrace the diverse Asian-American voices. You need both to be able create a movement. You need the wacky guy and the conservative, so people can accept you. You need Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. It’s about opening new doors, new possibilities. So a kid in Chinatown can say I want to be on Broadway. That can be in his world of possibility, because right now it isn’t.

So you are turning your own Asian-Americaness into your strength, like being Hispanic is suddenly trendy with the emergence of Jennifer Lopez.

As much as I don’t like labels, I don’t think that’s something I can control. Jennifer Lopez—next time Joe Shmuck from Idaho meets a person of Hispanic heritage, she won’t be so foreign anymore, because he knows J. Lo. So it’s the same with Asian-Americans. I love being able to say I am Taiwanese. So when a Taiwanese kid plays in a playground, he won’t be mocked by another ignorant kid calling him a chink because that ignorant kid will now know that he’s seen someone who looks like that. It’s deeply moving to me. I had a cable talk show here in New York. When I was little, I never saw Asian people on TV. I think it’s important to see people who look like you in the world. When we see those leads who are of different race than what we are used to, it begins to break down our perception of what is and what isn’t. It’s about knowing those people. When you stay an hour or two with people who are different from you, you can’t help but discover their humanity and see that they are 99.9 percent the same as you—the same pain, hatred, love.

Personally, as a writer, when I get reviews like “if you like ‘Joy Luck Club,’ you will like Suki Kim’s ‘The Interpreter’,” I feel uncomfortable. Suddenly, because of my skin color, I am compared to every other Asian-American writer, despite the vast difference in our writing styles.

You need to give people in the world a door. If that door is “Joy Luck Club,” and they buy your book, is that bad?

I understand that it’s a marketing decision. But as a writer, you love language, everything is about language, then you face that reviewers cannot seem to get over your skin color or your heroine’s skin color. Suddenly, my Asian-Americaness starts to overwhelm my writing. I have never felt more Asian-American as I have since my novel came out. Perhaps I am more easily offended and surprised because I am newer at being American than you are.

As an actor, I face the same frustration all the time. Once, I showed up at an audition for an all-American role, and they said, oh, you are not exactly what we are looking for, and I said, what do you mean?, I went to Lawrenceville boarding school [in New Jersey] and Columbia University, why am I not all-American? Then later, in “Miss Saigon,” I played the role of the evil Vietcong Thuy, but I had actually auditioned for Chris, the white lead. I am a tenor; I can sing that stuff easily. I said to them that I realized that he had to be white because of the racist, imperialist, misogynistic nature of the story, but that I had found the way around it. I had found a makeup artist who could build me eye sockets and a nose or whatever. And they said, no. They had the familiar excuse, but mainly there was that “Asian Face” problem. The historical context is that Asian people have never played white people, and for centuries, white people have played Asian people. All of a sudden, when an Asian person says he wants to play the white person, everyone says, you’re crazy. They thought I lost my marbles. Have I really? Or is the racist reality of our society that makes it seem like I am crazy? You can’t look at things in vacuum, because they ultimately always exist in a political context.

That reminds me of the novel, “Memoirs of a Geisha.” I had no problem with a white American man writing in the voice of a geisha. But what bothered me was the absurd content—that the celebrated geisha has blue eyes and begins to admire her American clients for their directness and eventually moves to New York, all despite the American bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. First of all, a blue-eyed geisha would have been considered a freak, not a beauty. The story was told with no irony at all. I found it offensive and considered it a gross example of the Americanization of the Asian culture. Even in the world of fiction, language is historical and has a sociopolitical memory. You can do anything you want, but you have to be responsible once you decide to take on the task. You never enter an innocent territory.

Is the topic of your next work non-Asian?

Let’s just say it’s not a Korean-American story. It’s not the decision to go against your people. I have already written “The Interpreter.” I am moving on to a new subject.

Do you think you will get it published then?

That would be assuming that the only reason that “The Interpreter” was published was because its author was Asian and the story was Asian. I hope that was not the case. Hopefully, I could even write a book about a Southern belle and be accepted the same. If Ang Lee could do “The Hulk,” why couldn’t I write whatever inspires me? As you said before, it is the specificity of the story that reaches universality.

Maybe you are like Ang Lee and I am like Spike Lee. The difference between Spike Lee and Ang Lee is that Spike said, these are the things that are important, I am gonna do Malcolm X, get on a bus and stay there, but Ang Lee will do whatever he wants do at that given moment. Although my work might be more like Spike Lee, I do want to produce them like Ang Lee. I see the freedom and the excitement of being Ang Lee as an actor. I see the value of supporting actors who want to be Ang Lee. Once you have the audience who are not in your cultural ghetto, you are preaching to those beyond the converted. Then you have the power to expand. It’s always about expanding, including the definition of Asian-American. Everyone could be Asian-American. J. Lo could be Asian-American. Spike Lee also. The more people, the better. Boundaries should be broken.

Suki Kim’s first novel, “The Interpreter,” was published earlier this year by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

[Miso]

Gwendoline Yeo. I am convinced this actress from Singapore will hit it big.
www.gwendolineyeo.com

[Chester]

Yeah, thanks. We heard you the first time. (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=25087)

[Miso]

How can you hear on a website? You might have read something though. It's a good thing I am only Vice President of Gwendoline Yeo's fan club. If I were President I would have to beat the taco's out of you...........

[deez nuts]

How can you hear on a website? You might have read something though. It's a good thing I am only Vice President of Gwendoline Yeo's fan club. If I were President I would have to beat the taco's out of you...........


miso horny for gwendoline yeo?

[ChinaLama]

How can you hear on a website? You might have read something though. It's a good thing I am only Vice President of Gwendoline Yeo's fan club. If I were President I would have to beat the taco's out of you...........

worst. comeback. ever.

[nola]

Major progress for Asian American men and Bust magazine:

The new Men We Love issue of Bust is out and two of the fifteen men we love are Asian American. Actor Kal Penn, who says he's a feminist, and record label owner Steve Aoki.

[hooligan]

http://www.dimmak.com/kidmillionaire/

http://www.dimmak.com/kidmillionaire/images/kidmillionairefull.jpg

[DerrtyD323]

How about the girl on Gilmore Girls? Keiko Agena...I think that's her name.

[hooligan]

http://www.keikoagena.com/

http://www.keikoagena.com/images/graphic_home.jpg

Ask and you shall receive.

[Marshall Law]

This week's L.A. Weekly has an article about prostitution called The Geography of Hustling (http://www.laweekly.com/ink/03/52/features-slovick.php). It's a rather brutal, de-glamorizing piece about the physical and psychological abuse that pervades prostitution. I don't mean to make light of a serious topic, but in the article, this paragraph jumped out at me:



If "Asian girls make more money than white girls" in prostitution, then there must be some kind of "demand" (to use a rather distastefully commercial term) for Asian female beauty among male "consumers" (ditto).

My question is: Why hasn't this translated into any big-name, above-the-title Asian female movie stars in Hollywood (before Lucy Liu, anyway), and why do the fashion and entertainment industries still seem to center around blonde women? Why are Asian female lead roles in Hollywood relegated to one-off projects like Come See the Paradise, The Joy Luck Club, and Snow Falling on Cedars? Despite the tsunami of WM/AF romantic pairings in the movies, none of the Asian actresses in these films really rose to the stature of, say, Michelle Pfeiffer or Julia Roberts? Why didn't the careers of Joan Chen, Tia Carrere, and Ming-Na — all of whom started out so auspiciously — not catch fire, with them ending up doing TV or straight-to-video movies?

In short, if Asian beauty is such a premium in the sex industry, why is it ghettoized in the entertainment industry?

That's my question. Maybe Lucy Liu will finally change all that. And maybe we'll finally have that breakthrough and get an Asian American romantic leading man. Again, I hope I don't sound like I'm trivializing the important issues about prostitution in the article. But this disconnect really puzzles me.

I know I'm waaaaay late in posting on this topic but I just HAD to respond to this post.

The reason asian beauty and asian women are still trivialized in hollywood and the entertainment media in general despite being in higher demand in other aspects is because IMO white society only wants to see asians as the exotic sex thing or the thoroughly westernized (read: white washed) side kick. Julia Roberts and Michelle Pfieffer can play roles that range from damsels in distress to heroines. Characters who are role models and highly admirable. White society does not want to see asians in those positions and roles UNLESS its something they are comfortable with such as the computer geek or the martial artist.
Lucy Liu for all her popularity is STILL very much stuck in the roles of the "dragonlady" or the side kick unfortunately.

[Miso]

What about this model/actress. I guess she is on a soap opera currently

http://www.evelynliu.com

I have never seen her on tv before, but she is tall and reminds me of that Xena Warrior Princess lady.

[abc!]

I think a good up and coming actor is Archie Kao. He currently has a regular, though very minor role as Archie Johnson, a crime lab scientist and he also had a couple appearances on ER. I haven't been able to see the acting range on this guy but I'm hoping that he'll be the next DDK.

Archie Kao
http://ia.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/66/86/22m.jpghttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0438055/

[younggiftedandblack]

As many times as I've seen Sonja Sohn on HBO's The Wire. It never occured to me she was half asian. Anyway...

Sonja Sohn (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0139615/)

http://sonjafan.tripod.com/standing.jpg

She also wrote for the movie Slam (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0139615/)

[Shuriken]

Does anyone know anything about the Filipino American (?) fox who plays “Kara the Event Planner” on that Acuvue contact-lens commercial?

*climbs ceiling*

[najjia]

hey... what about russel wong? kimora lee simmons?

parminder nagra? vanessa minillo?

[Shuriken]

http://www.keikoagena.com/

http://www.keikoagena.com/images/graphic_home.jpg

I think I saw Keiko Agena at my local Fatburger tonight.

[younggiftedandblack]

Mia Korf

Wiki Entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mia_Korf)

[soulman386]

Asian girls aren't in higher demand. Maybe on a street corner where there's few asian girls a white guy looking for one would have to pay more. But in general white girls are in greater demand as escorts and porn starlets. Pretty white girls can make a killing as escorts.


I know I'm waaaaay late in posting on this topic but I just HAD to respond to this post.

The reason asian beauty and asian women are still trivialized in hollywood and the entertainment media in general despite being in higher demand in other aspects is because IMO white society only wants to see asians as the exotic sex thing or the thoroughly westernized (read: white washed) side kick. Julia Roberts and Michelle Pfieffer can play roles that range from damsels in distress to heroines. Characters who are role models and highly admirable. White society does not want to see asians in those positions and roles UNLESS its something they are comfortable with such as the computer geek or the martial artist.
Lucy Liu for all her popularity is STILL very much stuck in the roles of the "dragonlady" or the side kick unfortunately.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

Asian girls aren't in higher demand. Maybe on a street corner where there's few asian girls a white guy looking for one would have to pay more. But in general white girls are in greater demand as escorts and porn starlets. Pretty white girls can make a killing as escorts.

WHITE POWER~

[younggiftedandblack]

Some actors/actresses I came across while posting on imdb.com

Takayo Fischer (http://imdb.com/name/nm0279137/)

Branden Weslee Kong (http://imdb.com/name/nm1985972/)

Lo Ming (http://imdb.com/name/nm0591247/)

Mia Bernardino (http://imdb.com/name/nm1816942/)

Maggie Ma (http://imdb.com/name/nm1087994/)

Navia Nguyen (http://imdb.com/name/nm1285485/)

[freeleeto]

I miss Brandon Lee. :( that was not cool god, that was not cool.

[younggiftedandblack]

Kenneth Choi (http://imdb.com/name/nm0158846/)

Irene Tsu (http://imdb.com/name/nm0875187/)

Brittany Ishibashi (http://imdb.com/name/nm0410893/)

Amrapali Ambegaokar (http://imdb.com/name/nm1728201/)

[Woody]

Has anyone seen this, or know more about this latest development....

I got this thread off the BBC on Friday, 21 July 2006.

-Lee family to tell star's story.-

Bruce Lee was the first kung-fu star
Bruce Lee's family is to make a film and publish a book about the late kung fu film star, according to agency AFP.

Many stories about Bruce Lee continue to be told, many of which are fabricated or exaggerated," said his brother Robert Lee.

Mr Lee, who is also president of the Bruce Lee Club, said the family hoped to "clarify the legend of Bruce Lee".

He added that auditions for the lead role in the film will begin soon and a book will be published on 27 November.

The book's publishing date coincides with the anniversary of Bruce Lee's birth.

The Lee family will jointly produce a series of other films, TV shows and documentaries about the star with Chinese production company JA Media.

---

Anyone interested in auditing.....???

[TB4000]

Kenneth Choi (http://imdb.com/name/nm0158846/)

[
Purdue alumni, huh? Boilermakers for lyfe, bitch!

http://www.bsiproducts.com/prodimgs/83033t.jpg

[younggiftedandblack]

Linda Lee (http://imdb.com/name/nm1884790/)

[TB4000]

^Spider-Man 3: Businesswoman

Well, you can't fault Raimi for putting random Asian actors in his Spidey flicks. Though the violinist from the last sequel may be the exception.

[FuNkY CaSaNoVa]

how about karl yune?

he is hawt!

http://karlyune.net/coppermine/thumbnails/album=1.html

[hk998]

I miss Brandon Lee. :( that was not cool god, that was not cool.

I miss him too, but not much we can do.

[younggiftedandblack]

Moon Bloodgood (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1291227/)

She's in that new show "Daybreak" with Tye Diggs

[lethal]

Whatever happened to Rick Yune?

[returntosender]

i guess he couldn't parlay his 15 minutes into a career.

[younggiftedandblack]

Kira Clavell (http://imdb.com/name/nm0165413/)

[younggiftedandblack]

Denyce Lawton (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1269155/)

[NextNoName]

Have to be Mako. He is who I think of as Asian American Actor. He was in Conan the Barbarian.

Bruce Lee wasn't really an Asian American Actor. He was an Asian Hong Kong Actor. But you can disagree.

[younggiftedandblack]

Suzy Nakamura (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0620232/)

[j&j2]

Bruce Lee was an Asian-American actor who just had to go to HK for a film career.

[Woody]

Yes, and what a career, starred in only 4 films and became a major icon of the 20th century. A globally recognised brand and name. With people still talking about him nearly 40 years after him passing!

Better to be a king for a year, than a slave for a lifetime!

Alexander the Great.

[timeitbetter]

Does Yul Kown count?

[Miso]

Tamilyn Tomita was very good in the film "Picture Bride".

There are many Asian actresses but few who get the necessary chance or opportunity to shine.

Here is one that intrigues me.

http://www.myspace.com/KikiAHHH

I had to compose a RAP for her.


Kiki Yeung Rap

They call her Kiki,
She’s a one of a kind,
Her soul’s in conflict,
Along with her mind.

A model, actress,
A Director who,
Is a writer, reporter,
A singer too.

That Christian mind,
Oh conflicted case,
You don’t believe me,
Watch “Breathing Space”.

Hope you can answer this riddle so keen.
Is it easier to profess love for people in sight, or the God unseen?
We gape with our mouths, when we see others sin,
But we chalk it up to experience, ignore ours within.

You seem so restless, like a wandering shark,
You move so often, no moss on your bark.

So you lived in Seattle, some plus and
Some minus, I wonder if you know Jennifer Tapang,
Seattle’s finest.

I watched your interviews and to what you said,
You look pretty good in that color of red.

The End.

P.S. Good luck in your future acting endeavors coming up.