James Hong is 96 years old and has appeared in over 700 films and TV shows since the 1950s. Born February 22, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he became what Daniel Dae Kim called “the most prolific actor in Hollywood history.” His transformation from civil engineer to Hollywood legend changed how Asian American actors are seen in entertainment.
James Hong’s net worth is estimated at $3 million as of 2025. Standing 5’10” tall, he’s voiced Mr. Ping in the Kung Fu Panda franchise and played the immortal sorcerer Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China. His 2023 SAG Award win for Everything Everywhere All at Once brought him recognition that took seven decades to achieve.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | James Hong (吳漢章) |
| Date of Birth | February 22, 1929 |
| Age | 96 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
| Height | 5’10” (1.78 m) |
| Net Worth | $3 million (estimated 2025) |
| Spouse | Susan Tong (m. 1977), Pearl Huang (m. 1967-1973) |
| Children | 3 daughters (including April Hong) |
| Grandchildren | 8 |
| Occupation | Actor, Voice Actor, Producer, Director |
| Years Active | 1953 – Present (72 years) |
| Total Credits | 700+ films and TV shows |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Current Residence | Los Angeles, California |
Early Life Heritage
James Hong was born to Chinese immigrant parents Ng Fok Hong (Frank Wu Hong) and Lee Suey Far in Minneapolis. His father owned a restaurant and led the local Hip Sing Tong, a fraternal organization supporting Chinese Americans in the Midwest. The family lived above his father’s herb shop in Chinatown, where young Hong watched Peking opera performers rehearse on weekends.
Hong relocated to Hong Kong for early education, living in Kowloon before returning to America at age 10. He became the only Asian student in a class of 500 at Minneapolis Central High School. Classmates bullied him for his limited English, shaping his later advocacy work.
His mother raised seven children while maintaining their cultural traditions through food and language. Hong spoke Taishanese, the dialect of his family’s ancestral region in Guangdong Province, China. These formative experiences with discrimination became fuel for his future work creating opportunities for Asian American representation in media.
Education and Engineering
James Hong studied civil engineering at the University of Minnesota, dedicating his free time to drill squad work. He joined the Minnesota Army National Guard while attending university. The Korean War mobilization interrupted his studies in 1952.
After service ended, Hong completed his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Southern California. He worked as a road engineer for Los Angeles County while acting nights and weekends. He even used sick days and vacation time to appear in film roles.
This dual existence lasted five and a half years before Hong made the leap to full-time performing. The financial sacrifice was significant but necessary. Steady engineering work paid bills while Hollywood offered uncertain prospects for Asian American actors in the 1950s.
Military Service Experience
James Hong served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 1952 to 1953 during the Korean War according to IMDb. He trained at Fort McClellan and Camp Rucker, Alabama (now Fort Novosel) with Special Services. Each evening after training, he entertained soldiers with comedy routines and impersonations.
The camp general was so impressed he asked Hong to stay stateside running live shows instead of deploying overseas. Hong later reflected candidly about the unique danger he avoided. “With a G.I. cap and this face charging at the Korean army, the Koreans would try to kill me,” he explained about the precarious position Asian American soldiers faced in that conflict.
He earned the Good Conduct Medal and reached Staff Sergeant rank while serving in the Armed Forces Radio Service. This military entertainment experience opened unexpected doors. The performing skills he developed would prove invaluable when he arrived in Los Angeles the following year.
Hollywood Career Beginnings
James Hong moved to Los Angeles in 1953 with comedy partner Don Parker as the duo “Hong and Parker.” They struggled to book any performances. “They didn’t know what an Asian and a half-Indian in a comedy show did,” Hong recalled about the racism blocking their path.
His breakthrough came in February 1954 on Groucho Marx’s game show “You Bet Your Life.” Hong’s impersonations of Marx, James Cagney, and others generated massive fan mail. The exposure landed him an agent and his first major film role opposite Clark Gable in Soldier of Fortune (1955).
Behind the scenes, Hong built experience through voice dubbing work. He voiced characters Ogata and Dr. Serizawa in the 1956 American version of Godzilla, King of the Monsters! This work helped him develop connections while on-screen opportunities remained limited during the yellowface era when white actors played Asian roles with taped eyes.
East West Players
In 1965, James Hong co-founded East West Players, the first Asian American theater organization in the United States. He worked alongside pioneers including Mako, June Kyoto Lu, Guy Lee, Pat Li, Yet Lock, and Beulah Quo. The company directly addressed the lack of opportunities Hollywood provided to Asian American performers.
East West Players remains operational today as the oldest Asian American theater in Los Angeles. Mako served as Artistic Director for the first 23 years while the organization built a foundation for change. Hong also established the Association of Asian Pacific American Actors as president.
This activism became Hong’s most significant contribution beyond performing. The organization created pathways for generations who followed. “My efforts, like starting East West Players, will be carried on by these new people,” Hong said at the 2023 Critics Choice Association event recognizing his impact on the entertainment industry.
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Film and Television
James Hong appeared in Flower Drum Song (1961) as a Chinese restaurant host, a role type that would recur throughout his career. His portrayal of Evelyn Mulwray’s butler in Chinatown (1974) became memorable enough to reprise 16 years later in The Two Jakes (1990). He also appeared in The Sand Pebbles (1966) with Steve McQueen.
The 1980s brought cult classic films that defined Hong’s legacy. As Chew the eye manufacturer in Blade Runner (1982), he contributed to influential science fiction cinema. His portrayal of immortal sorcerer Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China (1986) became iconic. He appeared as a Japanese WWII officer in Airplane! (1980), showcasing versatility.
Television work kept Hong constantly employed across decades. He played eight different characters on the original Kung Fu series. His role as Bruce in the Seinfeld episode “The Chinese Restaurant” (1991) became celebrated television. Guest appearances spanned Hawaii Five-O, Perry Mason, The Outer Limits, Friends, The West Wing, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The Big Bang Theory.
Voice Acting Mastery
James Hong discovered new opportunities through voice acting, becoming the voice of Mr. Ping in the Kung Fu Panda franchise since 2008. He remains the only actor appearing in every feature film and TV series installment. His performance earned an Annie Award for Voice Acting in the Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special in 2010.
Hong voiced Chi-Fu in Disney’s Mulan (1998), reuniting him professionally with Ming-Na Wen who voiced the title character. He brought life to Daolon Wong on Jackie Chan Adventures (2002-2004). Additional roles include Monk Tashi in Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005), Mr. Gao in Turning Red (2022), and Grandpa Wing in Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai (2023).
Video game voice work expanded Hong’s reach into interactive media. He voiced Colonel Zhou Peng in Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction and Uncle Po in Sleeping Dogs. His work includes the jeweler Covetous Shen in Diablo III and Master Bruised Paw in World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria.
Everything Everywhere Recognition
James Hong gained renewed attention for his role as Gong Gong in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). The A24 film became a cultural phenomenon. Hong faced linguistic challenges since he spoke Taishanese as a child but the script required Cantonese, necessitating careful work with the dialogue.
The ensemble won the Screen Actors Guild Award at the 2023 ceremony. Hong’s acceptance speech resonated powerfully. “I got my SAG card 70 years ago,” he began. “Back in those days, the leading roles were played by these guys with their eyes taped up, and the producers said that Asians were not good enough. But, look at us now!”
The film won 7 Oscars from 11 nominations including Best Picture at the 2023 Academy Awards. Hong attended wearing a bow tie with googly eyes—a playful nod to the film’s visual style. Earlier in 2022, he received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star at age 93 after Daniel Dae Kim launched a GoFundMe campaign raising over $55,000.
Personal Life
James Hong married Susan Tong on October 20, 1977. The couple has three daughters, including April Hong who appeared with her parents in Full Cycle: A World Odyssey (1994). They have eight grandchildren and reside in Los Angeles, California.
Hong was previously married to Pearl Huang from May 1967 to April 1973 according to People Magazine. He identifies as Presbyterian, attending Westminster Presbyterian Church with his family during his Minneapolis childhood. This faith connection remained throughout his life.
When asked about maintaining energy at 96, Hong responded with humor. “Thank goodness my mother fed me those herbs from her village in China when I was so small in Minneapolis!” His continued work makes him one of the oldest active performers in Hollywood history.
Legacy and Impact
James Hong appeared in four films selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress: Flower Drum Song (1961), Chinatown (1974), Airplane! (1980), and Blade Runner (1982). Five of his films received Best Picture nominations at the Academy Awards, with Everything Everywhere All at Once winning in 2023.
AMPAS invited Hong to join their Actors Branch in 2016. He aims to enter the Guinness World Records for most television guest appearances. His career progression from playing waiters in 1962 on Perry Mason to restaurant owners in 2006 on The King of Queens mirrors expanding opportunities for Asian American performers.
His work founding East West Players changed the landscape permanently. “Now I look at the list of honorees for this celebration, and I’m flabbergasted,” Hong said in 2023. “The innovators, the creators—like Daniel Dae Kim, Janet Yang, Ang Lee—will drive this forward.”
Conclusion
James Hong’s career spans from Golden Age of Hollywood to modern streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime. From dubbing Godzilla in 1956 to winning a SAG Award in 2023, he transformed industry limitations into opportunities. His activism through East West Players created lasting institutional change.
At 96, Hong continues recording for the Kung Fu Panda franchise, maintaining his unique distinction across all installments. His net worth of $3 million reflects historical undervaluation of character actors during decades of systemic barriers. His journey proves that persistence combined with community advocacy reshapes entire industries.
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FAQ About James Hong
What is James Hong’s net worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth James Hong’s net worth is estimated at $3 million, earned through over 700 credits in film, television, and voice acting across seven decades.
How old is James Hong?
James Hong is 96 years old, born February 22, 1929, making him one of the oldest working actors in Hollywood.
Who is James Hong married to?
James Hong married Susan Tong in 1977, and they have three daughters and eight grandchildren in Los Angeles.
What is James Hong’s most famous role?
Hong is recognized for voicing Mr. Ping in Kung Fu Panda, playing Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China, and appearing in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
How many movies has James Hong been in?
James Hong has over 700 acting credits, possibly holding the record for most television guest appearances in history.
What did James Hong do before acting?
Hong worked as a civil engineer for Los Angeles County for five years while acting nights and weekends before pursuing performing full-time.
Did James Hong serve in the military?
Hong served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 1952-1953, earning the Good Conduct Medal while entertaining troops at Camp Rucker.
What awards has James Hong won?
Hong won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Everything Everywhere All at Once and an Annie Award for Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special.
Hello, I’m Serena Flores, a passionate writer with over 4 years of experience in lifestyle, biography, and internet culture content. I specialize in creating engaging, easy-to-read articles that simplify modern trends, slang, and real-life stories for every reader. My goal is to make complex topics relatable, offering well-researched insights and fresh perspectives that keep readers informed, inspired, and connected.