And The Name Is James Hong!

Not only has he been in a billion zillion* films and television shows, he also helped found the premier Asian American repertory theater in the country...
... but if you're my age (shut up) you would remember him as the eye specialist in "Blade Runner" ...
...or if you're a little younger (seriously, stop it) you might remember him in "Big Trouble In Little China. "

But I tend to think of him as Faye Dunaway's butler in "Chinatown". You can find more about Hong on his website , including how he helped to found EastWest Players, his acting classes, etc. The guy has a lot irons in the fire, not to mention a documentary about him making the rounds called "Man Of A Thousand Faces" and it shows in the over 300 listings for him on IMDB in the actor section alone.

What tends to make James Hong stick out for me as an actor is his humor. He has a crack in his voice and a glint in his eye that lets you know he enjoys his work. Just watch him in anything he does including the episode of "Chuck" he was on the other night. Playing a Triad boss named "Ben", Hong (even though his character is stuck in a wheelchair) is on fire with every appearance he makes in the episode.

The joy of acting is evident in whatever this guy does. Just like my other heroes Vincent Price, William Shatner, Orson Welles, and, of course, Adam West.

I am completely serious about this. You may not like some of the actors I mention, but you have to admit, each one of these talents love what they do.

Which is a rare and wonderful thing, in this cockeyed, carnival ride, to completely screw up Preston Sturges' great line from "Sullivan's Travels".

*A real number, created by Stephen Hawkins in his spare time. Look it up.