JAMES HONG
(b. 1929, Minneapolis, MN) 

James Hong celebrates his 68th year as a performer this year, honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on May 10, 2022. Beginning with a guest appearance on Groucho Marx's You Bet Your Life in 1954, Hong has worked with some of the industry's most distinguished film directors, including John Carpenter, Edward Dmytryk, Sam Fuller, Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Ridley Scott, Roman Polanski, Bob Rafelson, William Wellman, and most recently, the Daniels—Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert—in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).

Big Trouble in Little China

James Hong gives a showstopping performance as sorcerer Lo Pan in this cult favorite. Directed by horror-meister John Carpenter, Big Trouble in Little China takes a supernatural spin on Hollywood’s Chinatown tropes, populating the neighborhood with mystical beings. Kurt Russell plays an antihero, but he’s not the typical white savior—he’s an outsider who’s clueless without his Chinese American friend Wang Chi, portrayed with modest aplomb by Dennis Dun. Veteran actor Victor Wong offers crusty comic relief as a sorcerer-cum-tour bus driver. 

Black Widow 

With over 500 acting credits to his name, including scene-stealing performances in Chinatown (1974), Blade Runner (1982), and Kung Fu Panda (2008), James Hong counts Black Widow as one of his favorites. In this crime drama centered on the case of a murderess, Hong first appears mid-point as a drug-addicted investigator. For the role, the actor drew upon his improvisation training and bi-cultural background: “I just say the lines that are in my head, and of course what’s in my head is cussing out in Chinese to Theresa Russell—all patterned after all those Chinese people who came to my dad’s herb store in Minnesota.”

Make It Dinner and a Movie

Fanny's Restaurant & Café

All guests who present a ticket for a film screening, Tuesday through Saturday (and the first Sunday of every month), receive 10% off all food and non-alcoholic beverages at Fanny's. Discount only applicable on the same day as the screening and cannot be redeemed for another screening or date. Dinner reservations can be made on OpenTable or Resy.