Soon-Tek Oh was an American actor known for his roles in “The Man with the Golden Gun,” “Mulan,” and “Death Wish 4: The Crackdown.” Born on June 29, 1932, in Mokpo, South Korea, he became a prominent figure in Asian-American theatre and film.
Personal and Family Life
Soon-Tek Oh was born during a time when Korea was under Japanese control. He moved to the United States in 1959 with his family, including a sister, and settled in Southern California. Oh pursued his education in acting, earning a Master’s degree from UCLA after studying at USC.
Career
Oh began his acting career in the 1960s, co-founding the East West Players theatre company, which aimed to create better roles for Asian actors. He appeared in various TV shows and films throughout his career, breaking away from stereotypical roles. His notable performances include Lt. Hip in “The Man with the Golden Gun” and the voice of Fa Zhou in Disney’s “Mulan.”
Death and Legacy
Soon-Tek Oh passed away on April 4, 2018, in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 85 years old at the time of his death. His contributions to Asian-American representation in theatre and film have left a lasting impact.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Man with the Golden Gun | 1974-12-14 | Lieutenant Hip |
| Mulan | 1998-06-18 | Fa Zhou (voice) |
| Mulan II | 2004-11-03 | Fa Zhou (voice) |
| Death Wish 4: The Crackdown | 1987-06-11 | Det. Phil Nozaki |
| Beverly Hills Ninja | 1997-01-17 | Sensei |
| Missing in Action 2: The Beginning | 1985-03-01 | Colonel Yin |
| Good Guys Wear Black | 1978-06-01 | Mhin |
| Kung Fu: The Legend Continues | 1993-01-27 | Bon Bon Hai |
| Hawaii Five-O | 1968-09-20 | Wo Fat’s Lab Technician |
| East of Eden | 1981-02-08 | Lee |
| MASH | 1972-09-17 | Syn Paik |
| Marco Polo | 1982-12-05 | Wang-Zhu |