Kam Fong was an American actor who is best known for his role as Chin Ho in the original Hawaii Five-O TV series. Born Kam Tong Chun on May 27, 1918, in Honolulu, Hawaii, he became a significant figure in Asian-American television history.
Personal and Family Life
Kam Fong was married twice; his first wife, Esther, passed away on June 8, 1944, along with their two children in a tragic accident involving two B-25s. Later, he married Gladys Lindo in 1948, and together they had four children. He worked various jobs, including as a boilermaker during World War II, and later served as a Honolulu police officer for 16 years.
Career
Fong’s acting career began while he was still on the police force, starting with a role in the low-budget film Ghost of the China Sea in 1958. He gained fame for his portrayal of Chin Ho Kelly in Hawaii Five-O, appearing in 10 of its 12 seasons. After retiring from the police force, he continued to pursue acting and was involved in community theater and real estate.
Death and Legacy
Kam Fong passed away on October 18, 2002, in Honolulu due to lung cancer at the age of 84. He left behind a legacy as a pioneering Asian-American actor in television, with his son, Dennis Chun, continuing the family’s connection to the Hawaii Five-O franchise in its reboot.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost of the China Sea | 1958-08-01 | Pvt. Hakashima |
| Gidget Goes Hawaiian | 1961-06-02 | Hotel Night Clerk (uncredited) |
| Diamond Head | 1962-12-27 | |
| Cocoon | 1968-09-20 | Chin Ho |
| Magnum, P.I. | 1980-12-11 | |
| Hawaii Five-O | 1968-09-20 | Chin Ho |