James Hong has been in everything, everywhere, but not all at once.
The 94-year-old has appeared in more than 650 screen projects during his eight-decade-long career, and he has no intention of slowing down.
“I would like to do some more films because this is my chance,” he said guardian In a recent profile about his decision not to retire from Hollywood. “I have waited so many years to do a project and now people are going to support me.”
The “everything everything all at once” icon began his film career in the 1950s, and his first major film was “Soldier of Fortune” opposite Clark Gable.
Hong said it was “almost a miracle” that he would be cast in a film as big as “Everything Everywhere” after years in the industry. “I never dreamed it would happen,” he said.
The adventure comedy did well in the 2023 awards season, earning 11 Oscar nominations and two Golden Globe Awards.
The prominent Asian-American actor portrays Gong Gong in the film, the grandfather of Michelle Yeoh’s character, Evelyn Quan Wang.
The “Blade Runner” star also explained how the Asian community had to make their way through the entertainment industry, as Tinseltown was often filled with “yellowface,” or white actors portraying Asian roles.
“The producers said Asians weren’t good enough and they weren’t box office,” Hong said. “But look at us now!”
“We were given side parts as ‘coolies’ or distressed Asians rescued by a white man. We were underlings,” he added.
Hong described how he “counted on my two hands the roles I got that were non-clichéd,” playing a doctor in several projects and a scientist in the 1970 sci-fi film, “Colossus: The Forbin Project.” performed
“As far as the film industry was concerned, we weren’t important people in the United States,” he said. “About 10 years ago when we started winning awards. So it has been a journey from ground zero to what it is now. But there is still a long way to go.”
“Big Trouble in Little China” star Finally was gifted with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May 2022. He became the oldest person to receive a star on the legendary walkway.
Her “Everything Everywhere” costar Jamie Lee Curtis and “Hawaii Five-0” star Daniel Dae Kim were there to cheer her on.
“I want to feel that moment,” Hong beamed at the ceremony. “Before I did, you know, ‘everything was all right’ except for little, little things here and there.”
While congratulating Hong on his achievement, Kim, 54, told the audience that he believed it was an “oversight” that Hong was “not recognized” after decades in the industry.
“And so I just wanted to point out the fact that we have this national treasure working today, alive and vital, as you saw, that could use some recognition,” the “Lost” star said. .
