Benson Fong

Benson Fong was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Keys of the Kingdom, The Shanghai Cobra, and Flower Drum Song.

Personal and Family Life

Benson Fong was born on October 10, 1916, in Sacramento, California. He was married to Maylia on November 11, 1946, and they had five children together: Brian, Preston Oden, Pamela Kwong, and Lisa Fong. Fong also operated a grocery store in Sacramento while pursuing his acting career.

Career Highlights

Fong started acting in small film roles from 1937, often portraying meek Asian characters and sometimes Japanese villains during wartime movies. He is particularly known for playing Charlie Chan’s third son in several films from the 1940s. In addition to his film work, he owned a popular restaurant in California called “Ah Fong’s Restaurants.”

Death and Legacy

Benson Fong passed away on August 1, 1987, in Los Angeles, California, due to a stroke. He left behind a legacy as an actor who opened doors for Asian performers in Hollywood, and his son Preston Oden Fong became a well-known Christian musician.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Women in the Night 1948-01-02 Chang
Our Man Flint 1966-01-16 Dr. Schneider
Flower Drum Song 1961-11-09 Wang Chi-Yang
Deception 1946-10-26 The Manservant [Jimmy]
Conquest of Space 1955-04-20 Imoto
Charley Varrick 1973-09-19 Honest John
The Love Bug 1968-12-23 Mr. Wu
The Left Hand of God 1955-09-02 Chun Tien
Charlie Chan in the Secret Service 1944-02-14 Tommie Chan
Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat 1944-05-20 Tommy Chan, #3 Son
The Shanghai Cobra 1945-09-29 Tommy Chan
The Red Dragon 1945-08-01 Tommy Chan
The Scarlet Clue 1945-05-11 Tommy Chan
Dark Alibi 1946-05-25 Tommy Chan
The Keys of the Kingdom 1944-12-15 Joseph
Kung Fu The Movie 1986-02-01 The Old One
His Majesty O’Keefe 1954-01-16 Mr. Chou
Oliver’s Story 1978-12-15 John Hsiang
Peking Express 1951-08-01 Wong
Secret Agent X-9 1945-07-24 Dr. Hakahima
Walk Like a Dragon 1960-06-01 Wu
Five Gates to Hell 1959-09-23 Gung Sa
First Yank into Tokyo 1945-09-05 Capt. Tanahe
Destroyer 1943-08-19 Japanese Sonar Man
China Sky 1945-05-16 Chung
Girls! Girls! Girls! 1962-11-21 Kin Yung
The Strongest Man in the World 1975-02-06 Ah Fong
Charlie Chan at the Opera 1936-12-04 Opera Supernumerary (uncredited)
Behind the Rising Sun 1943-08-01 Japanese Officer with Message
China 1943-04-21 Guerrilla
Jinxed! 1982-10-22 Mr. Wing
Back to Bataan 1945-05-30 Officer Making Broadcast (uncredited)
Calcutta 1946-12-20 Young Chinese Clerk
S.O.B. 1981-07-01 Felix and Sally’s personal chef
Chinatown at Midnight 1949-11-17 Joe Wing
Boston Blackie’s Chinese Venture 1949-03-02 Ah Hing
Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge 1981-05-09 Min Lo Chan
He Is My Brother 1975-01-29 Kiko
Three Husbands 1950-11-10 George – the Butler (uncredited)
Submarine Command 1951-11-01
Back at the Front 1952-10-01 Rickshaw Boy
The Purple Heart

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