Victor Wong was an American actor best known for his roles in Son of Kong, King Kong, and War Correspondent. He was born on September 24, 1906, in Los Angeles, California, and died on April 7, 1972, in the same city.
Personal and Family Life
Victor Wong was born and raised in Los Angeles. As an actor of Chinese descent, he faced challenges in Hollywood, often being typecast in smaller roles. Despite this, he left a mark on the industry and was appreciated for his performances, particularly in early monster films.
Career Highlights
Wong’s notable early role was as Charlie the cook in King Kong (1933), even though it was uncredited at first. He reprised this role in the sequel, Son of Kong (1933), where he received proper credit. Throughout his career, he often played supporting characters, including a bandit leader in Lost Horizon (1937), which helped define his presence in the film industry.
Death and Legacy
Victor Wong passed away on April 7, 1972. His contributions to cinema are recognized, especially for breaking ground for Asian American actors in Hollywood. Many of his films remain part of classic cinema history, showcasing his talent and perseverance.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| King Kong | 1933-03-15 | Ship’s Cook Charlie |
| The Son of Kong | 1933-12-22 | Charlie the Cook |
| War Correspondent | 1932-07-25 | Wu Sun |
| Lost Horizon | 1937-03-03 | Bandit Leader (uncredited) |
| Hair-Trigger Casey | 1936-03-01 | Lee Fin – Karney’s Enemy |
| Phantom of Chinatown | 1940-11-18 | Charley Won |
| Shanghai Express | 1932-02-12 | Chinese Officer (uncredited) |
| Dragon Seed | 1944-07-20 | Japanese Officer (uncredited) |
| No, No, Nanette | 1940-12-19 | John, Tom’s Houseboy |
| The Phantom Submarine | 1940-12-20 | Willie Ming |