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

TitleRelease DateCharacter
Women in the Night1948-01-02Chang
Our Man Flint1966-01-16Dr. Schneider
Flower Drum Song1961-11-09Wang Chi-Yang
Deception1946-10-26The Manservant [Jimmy]
Conquest of Space1955-04-20Imoto
Charley Varrick1973-09-19Honest John
The Love Bug1968-12-23Mr. Wu
The Left Hand of God1955-09-02Chun Tien
Charlie Chan in the Secret Service1944-02-14Tommie Chan
Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat1944-05-20Tommy Chan, #3 Son
The Shanghai Cobra1945-09-29Tommy Chan
The Red Dragon1945-08-01Tommy Chan
The Scarlet Clue1945-05-11Tommy Chan
Dark Alibi1946-05-25Tommy Chan
The Keys of the Kingdom1944-12-15Joseph
Kung Fu The Movie1986-02-01The Old One
His Majesty O’Keefe1954-01-16Mr. Chou
Oliver’s Story1978-12-15John Hsiang
Peking Express1951-08-01Wong
Secret Agent X-91945-07-24Dr. Hakahima
Walk Like a Dragon1960-06-01Wu
Five Gates to Hell1959-09-23Gung Sa
First Yank into Tokyo1945-09-05Capt. Tanahe
Destroyer1943-08-19Japanese Sonar Man
China Sky1945-05-16Chung
Girls! Girls! Girls!1962-11-21Kin Yung
The Strongest Man in the World1975-02-06Ah Fong
Charlie Chan at the Opera1936-12-04Opera Supernumerary (uncredited)
Behind the Rising Sun1943-08-01Japanese Officer with Message
China1943-04-21Guerrilla
Jinxed!1982-10-22Mr. Wing
Back to Bataan1945-05-30Officer Making Broadcast (uncredited)
Calcutta1946-12-20Young Chinese Clerk
S.O.B.1981-07-01Felix and Sally’s personal chef
Chinatown at Midnight1949-11-17Joe Wing
Boston Blackie’s Chinese Venture1949-03-02Ah Hing
Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge1981-05-09Min Lo Chan
He Is My Brother1975-01-29Kiko
Three Husbands1950-11-10George – the Butler (uncredited)
Submarine Command1951-11-01
Back at the Front1952-10-01Rickshaw Boy
The Purple Heart

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