Hong, James 1929(?)-

views updated

HONG, James 1929(?)-

PERSONAL:

Born c. 1929, in Minneapolis, MN. Education: Attended University of Minnesota; University of Southern California, B.S. Also attended Jeff Corey's School of Acting and the Professional Theatre Workshop.

ADDRESSES:

Home—P.O. Box 16250, Encino, CA 91416.

CAREER:

Actor, writer, director, producer, and vocalist. North Star Entertainment Inc., president, 1989—; East West Players (Asian American repertory company), Los Angeles, CA, co-founder. Worked as a comedian; has appeared in numerous television commercials.

Actor in films, including Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1955; Soldier of Fortune, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1955; Blood Alley, Batjac, 1955; Flight to Hong Kong, United Artists, 1956; Hep Cat, Hell on Frisco Bay, Warner Bros., 1956; China Gate, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1957; Seventh Sin, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1957; Major Chong, Battle Hymn, 1957; Blood and Steel, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1959; Never So Few, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1959; Gasu ningen daiichigo (also known as The First Gas Human and The Human Vapor), 1960; Flower Drum Song, Universal, 1961; The Hour of the Bath, 1961; In a Foreign Quarter, 1962; The Satan Bug, United Artists, 1965; Destination Inner Space (also known as Terror of the Deep), Magna, 1966; One Spy Too Many, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1966; The Sand Pebbles, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1966; The Bamboo Saucer (also known as Collision Course), NTA, 1966; Colossus: The Forbin Project Universal, 1969; The Hawaiians (also known as Master of the Islands), United Artists, 1970; The Carey Treatment (also known as Emergency Ward), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1972; The Two-Headed Man, 1972; Black-Belt Brother, 1973; Dynamite Brothers (also known as Stud Brown), 1973; Chinatown, Paramount, 1974; China Girl, 1974; Double Trouble (also known as No Deposit, No Return), 1975; Bound for Glory, United Artists, 1976; The World's Greatest Lover, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1977; Go Tell the Spartans, Avco Embassy, 1978; The In-Laws, Warner Bros., 1979; Airplane! (also known as Flying High), Paramount, 1980; So Fine, Warner Bros., 1981; True Confessions, United Artists, 1981; Blade Runner, Warner Bros., 1982; Goodbye Paradise, 1982; Breathless (also known as A Bout de Souffle Made in USA), Orion, 1983; Missing in Action, Cannon, 1984; Ninja III—The Domination, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-United Artists-Cannon, 1984; Big Trouble in Little China, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1986; The Golden Child, Paramount, 1986; Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1987; Black Widow, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1987; China Girl, Great American Vestron, 1987; Vice Versa, Columbia, 1988; Hot to Trot, 1988; Deadlock, 1988; Tango and Cash, Warner Bros., 1989; The Jitters, Gaga Communications, 1989; Tax Season, Prism, 1989; The Vineyard, New World, 1989; Caged Fury, 21st Century, 1990; Shadowzone, Full Moon/Paramount, 1990; The Two Jakes, Paramount, 1990; Joker's Wild, 1990; Dragonfight, 1990; Crime Lords, 1990; Bethune: Making of a Hero, 1990; The Vineyard, 1990; Mystery Date, Orion, 1991; The Perfect Weapon, Paramount, 1991; Moon Over Paradise, 1991; Too Much Sun, RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video, 1991; Merlin (also known as Merlin: The True Story of Magic and October 32nd), Hemdale Home Video, 1992; Talons of the Eagle, MCA/Universal Home Video, 1992; Missing Pieces, 1992; Body Trouble (also known as Joker's Wild), 1992; L.A. Goddess, 1993; Dragonfight, Warner Home Video, 1993; Wayne's World 2, Paramount, 1993; Operation Golden Phoenix, MCA/Universal Home Video, 1994; The Shadow, Universal, 1994; Femme Fontaine: Killer Babe for the C.I.A., Troma, 1994; South Beach Academy, 1994; Silent Fury, 1994; Gladiator Cop, 1994; Operation Dumbo Drop, Buena Vista, 1995; Tank Girl, United Artists, 1995; Bad Company (also known as The Tool Shed), Buena Vista, 1995; Gladiator Cop II: The Swordsman, 1995; Cyber Bandits, 1995; Infinity, First Look Pictures, 1996; Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite, FM Entertainment Home Video, 1996; The Secret Club, Cabin Fever Entertainment, 1996; Paper Dragons, 1996; South Beach Academy, Live Home Video, 1996; McHale's Navy, Universal, 1997; Red Corner, 1997; Catherine's Grove, PM Entertainment, 1997; Singapore Sling, 1998; Mulan (animated), Buena Vista, 1998; G2, 1998; Broken Vessels, Zeitgeist Films, 1998; Breakout, S. Entertainment, 1998.

Actor in television movies including, Earth II, 1970; The Forgotten Man, ABC, 1971; A Tattered Web, CBS, 1971; Vanished, NBC, 1971; Pueblo, CBS, 1973; Sunshine, CBS, 1973; The Missiles of October, ABC, 1974; Panic in Echo Park, NBC, 1977; My Husband Is Missing, NBC, 1978; Last of the Good Guys, CBS, 1978; Dr. Scorpion, ABC, 1978; When Hell Was in Session, NBC, 1979; The Letter, ABC, 1982; Marco Polo, NBC, 1982; China Rose, CBS, 1983; Harry's Hong Kong, 1987; In Love and War, 1987; Leap of Faith, CBS, 1988; The Karen Carpenter Story, CBS, 1989; Tongs, 1989; Last Flight Out, NBC, 1990; Framed, 1990; Crime Lords, 1991; Come Die with Me: A Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Mystery (also known as Deader Than Ever: A Mike Hammer Mystery), CBS, 1994; Triplecross, Showtime, 1995; Bloodsport II, CBS, 1998; The Brotherhood of the Rose, NBC, 1989.

Actor in television series including, The New Adventures of Charlie Chan, syndicated, 1957-58; Days of Our Lives, 1967-68; Switch, CBS, 1977-78; General Hospital, ABC, 1983; Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, CBS, 1984-85; Days of Our Lives, 1985; The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., 1993.

Appeared as guest actor in television series including, Tombstone Territory, ABC, 1957; "The Ming Vase," The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, 1959; "East of Danger," Richard Diamond, Private Detective, 1960; Have Gun—Will Travel, CBS, 1961; "The Case of the Weary Watchdog," Perry Mason, CBS, 1962; The Lloyd Bridges Show, CBS, 1962; Ensign O'Toole, NBC, 1962; Square Cop, 1962; Wagon Train, 1962; This Is the Life, 1963; Day in Court, ABC, 1963; The Outer Limits, ABC, 1963; Seventy-Seven Sunset Strip, ABC, 1963; "The Case of the Floating Stones," Perry Mason, CBS, 1963; Kentucky Jones, NBC, 1964; Slattery's People, CBS, 1964; The Mickey Rooney Show, 1964; I Spy, NBC, 1965; Ben Casey, ABC, 1965; The Man from U.N.C.L.E., NBC, 1965; The FBI, ABC, 1965; "End of the Line," The Fugitive, ABC, 1965; The Donna Reed Show, ABC, 1965; "Shakedown," The Wackiest Ship in the Army, NBC, 1965; "Jeannie and the Kidnap Caper," I Dream of Jeannie, NBC, 1965; "The Lamb Who Hunted Wolves: Part1&2," The Wackiest Ship in the Army, NBC, 1966; "The Dynamite Driver," The Iron Horse, 1966; "The Baby Sitters," Family Affair, 1968; "A Thousand Pardons—You're Dead," Hawaii Five-0, 1969; "Number One Boy," Family Affair, 1969; "The Devil and Mr. Frog," Hawaii Five-O, 1969; "The Lucy Laundress," Here's Lucy, 1970; "Archie Gives Blood," All in the Family, 1971; "The Merchant," Mission: Impossible, 1971; "Air Cargo—Dial for Murder," Hawaii Five-O, 1971; "Bob and Emily and Howard and Carol and Jerry," The Bob Newhart Show, 1972; Anna and the King, CBS, 1972; "The Squawman," Kung Fu, 1973; "The Arrogant Dragon," Kung Fu, 1974; "The Valley of Terror," Kung Fu, 1974; "A Small Beheading," Kung Fu, 1974; "The Garments of Rage," Kung Fu, 1975; "The Thief of Chendo," Kung Fu, 1975; "Edith Breaks Out," All in the Family, CBS, 1975; "Forbidden City," Harry O, 1975; "The Melted Man," Cannon, 1975; Jigsaw John, NBC, 1976; "Presumed Dead," Baa Baa Black Sheep, 1976; "The Thrill Killers," The Streets of San Francisco, 1976; "The Chinese Connection," S.W.A.T., 1976; "The Oracle Wore a Cashmere Suit," The Rockford Files, 1976; "The Psychic," Starsky and Hutch, 1977; "Angels in Vegas," Charlie's Angels, 1978; "The Great Race," Taxi, ABC, 1979; "Man with Jade Eyes," Hart to Hart, 1979; "Ewing-Gate," Dallas, CBS, 1981; "The Hostage," Bring 'em Back Alive, CBS, 1982; "Miz Tisdale on the Lam," The Dukes of Hazzard, 1982; "Graveyard," St. Elsewhere, 1983; "The Trial," T.J. Hooker, 1983; "The Maltese Cow," The A-Team, 1983; "Always Say Always," The Fall Guy, 1984; "Night of the Dragons," Hunter, NBC, 1985; "Mind Games," The A-Team, NBC, 1985; Cagney and Lacey, CBS, 1985; Crazy Like a Fox, CBS, 1986; "Monas Limo," Who's the Boss?, ABC, 1986; "The Wish Child," MacGyver, ABC, 1986; "Lost Love," MacGyver, ABC, 1987; Magnum P.I., CBS, 1987; Tour of Duty, CBS, 1987; Miami Vice, NBC, 1987; "Anytime, Anywhere," Stingray, NBC, 1987; Outlaws, CBS, 1987; "Honorable Profession," Hunter, 1988; Beauty and the Beast, CBS, 1988; Tour of Duty, CBS, 1988; The Equalizer, CBS, 1988; Jake and the Fatman, CBS, 1989; Tour of Duty, CBS, 1989; "The Last Supper," War of the Worlds, 1989; "Love Life," Booker, Fox, 1990; Nasty Boys, NBC, 1990; Doogie Howser, M.D., 1990; "The Chinese Restaurant," Seinfeld, NBC, 1991; "The Coltons," MacGyver, 1991; Naked Hollywood, 1991; "Cherry Blossoms," Forever Knight, 1992; "Prey," Raven, 1992; "Dragonswing II," Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, 1994; Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, 1994; "The Ethics of Hope," Chicago Hope, CBS, 1995; "Murder in the Courthouse," Diagnosis Murder, 1995; "Aladdin," Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (animated), HBO, 1995; Legend, 1995; Muscle, 1995; Sisters, 1995; "Games, Flames & Automobiles," Home Improvement, ABC, 1995; "Hell Money," The X-Files, 1996; Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah, Ellen, ABC, 1996; Malcolm & Eddie, UPN, 1996; Nash Bridges, CBS, 1996; Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, ABC, 1997; Head Over Heels, UPN, 1997; "Desperate Times," Murphy Brown, CBS, 1997; "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion," Friends, NBC, 1997; "In Deep," The Practice, ABC, 1998; The Drew Carey Show, ABC, 1998; "Painted Faces," Martial Law, CBS, 1999; "Mr. Lee," The Pretender, NBC, 1999; "Bardo Thodol," Millennium, Fox, 1999. Also appeared in Dragnet; Bonanza; Sky King; Hardy Boys; Maude; The Bionic Woman; Wonder Woman; The Rookies; Baretta; Khan; McMillan and Wife; Rhoda; Barnaby Jones; The Young Lawyers; Ironside; SFX; The Bill Cosby Show; Fantasy Island; Lou Grant; Soap; Diff'rent Strokes; Code Red; Airwolf; It's a Living; Double Dare; Dynasty; Falcon Crest; Gideon Oliver.

Actor in television specials including, CBS Playhouse, CBS, 1966; Switch, 1975; Jade Snow, PBS, 1976; Paper Angels, 1985; Reverend Sung and Reverend Jimmy Tuin, Camp California, 1989; M C, Partners in Life, 1990.

Producer of the play Rashomon, East West Players, 1956. Director of televion special Year of the Dog, NBC, 1970. Director of films including, The GirlsNext Door, 1977; (with Bill Rice), The Vineyard, New World, 1989; associate producer, Caged Fury, 1990; executive producer, Catherine's Grove, PM Entertainment, 1997; producer and director, Singapore Sling, 1998. Military service: Served in the armed forces; served as head of live entertainment at Camp Rucker, AL, and at Ft. McClellan.

MEMBER:

Screen Actors' Guild (member, board of directors), Association of Asian/Pacific American Artists (past president and charter member).

WRITINGS:

SCREENPLAYS; WITH OTHERS

Perfect Match, 1968.

Year of the Dog, NBC, 1970.

Connections, 1972.

The Girls Next Door, 1977.

The Vineyard, New World Pictures, 1989.

SIDELIGHTS:

James Hong has acted in literally hundreds of movies and television shows. He has appeared in classic films such as Chinatown and Blade Runner. With all of his movie experience, Hong has also tried his hand at producing, directing, and writing. He directed, wrote, and starred in The Vineyard, a story of Dr. Elson Po. Dr. Po is a wine maker who requires constant blood transfusions. If the doctor does not get regular transfusions he becomes a disfigured, terrible monster.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television, Volume 28, Gale (Detroit, MI), 2000.

ONLINE

James Hong, Actor: Official Web site,http://www.ameshong.com (Septemeber 15, 2003).*