After 700 roles, actor James Hong honored by the Hollywood Walk of Fame

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

After 700 roles in his 70-year acting career, James Hong gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

When long-time actor James Hong received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Tuesday, he danced with lions.

“I’m here! I’m alive!,” exclaimed the energetic 93-year-old actor as the 2,723rd star on the Walk of Fame was unveiled, located at 6931 Hollywood Blvd., between Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and the TCL Chinese Theater.

After he gave impromptu acceptance remarks, the Chinese dragon dancers began giving life to the cloth dragon amidst a cacophony of beating drums and clashing cymbals, Hong joined the group showing off some of own moves.

The sidewalk star for Hong, who has played over 700 film and television roles in his over 70-year career, was championed by Daniel Dae Kim, who gave some remarks prior to Hong's unexpected performance, sponsored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Kim made note that only 1% of 2723 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame were of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. Including this year's installment of stars, there are now 19 AAPI performers to receive the sidewalk honor.

“Though that number is entirely too low,” Kim said, “it does underscore the fact that we need to celebrate every single one of us who has been fortunate enough to be recognized, and that includes the other three AAPI [performers] who are being inducted this year. So let’s give it up for Ming-Na Wen, Jason Momoa and (Black Eyed Peas founding member) apl.de.ap,” the latter being the first Filipino American to receive the distinction.

Kim continued to say that he's "confident in saying that no one will have blazed the trail the way that James Hong has. … Today, during the heart of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, it’s only fitting that we honor someone who personifies the term ‘trailblazer.’”

In 1953, Hong left Minnesota, where he was born and studied engineering, to drive cross country on Route 66. He began his career during an era in Hollywood, where white actors would routinely play Asian characters. Realizing that Hollywood wouldn't be able to provide the roles Asian Americans deserved, Hong set out to carve his own space. Along with actor Mako Iwamatsu, Hong helped organize an Asian American acting group in Los Angeles, which became the legendary East West Players. East West Players has nurtured great talent over its 57 years. At one point, approximately 70% of Asian American actors in Hollywood had a connection to East West Players. 

Hong is one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood history, having amassed a total of 700 credits, which include 469 TV shows, 149 feature films, 32 short films, and 22 video games, from iconic films like "Blade Runner” and “Chinatown” to animated features like "Kung Fu Panda,” “Mulan” and classic television shows like "Seinfeld." 

His latest credits are “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “Turning Red” and soon to be released “Gremlins,” “Wendell and Wild” and his own feature “Patsy Lee and the Five Kingdoms.”  Hong is the oldest honoree to receive a star on the Walk of Fame.

“What an honor to be able to celebrate such a prolific actor – James Hong is known for his historical contributions to the field of entertainment, his acting abilities and his perseverance. And at 93, he continues to prove that if you love something, you keep going. He is an inspiration for us all!” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

From left: Ming-Na Wen, Jason Momoa and apl.de.ap.

Apl.de.ap is getting his Hollywood Walk of Fame star with the rest of the Black Eyed Peas members for the recording category. The Black Eyed Peas, which rose to fame with the 2003 single "Where is the love?" has since become one of the best-selling groups of all time, with an estimated 75 million records sold.

Wen has starred in numerous critical and blockbuster hits, such as "Joy Luck Club,"  “Mulan,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” and more recently, "Agents of Shield" and “The Mandalorian.” 

Jason Momoa, who is known for his superhero role “Aquaman,” and playing Khal Drogo, in "Game of Thrones." He currently stars in Apple TV's "See" and HBO Max's "Dune."

Besides the four AAPI actors, the Walk of Fame Class of 2022 includes the following names from the film and TV fields: Byron Allen, Greg Berlanti, Francis Ford Coppola, Macaulay Culkin, Willem Dafoe, Carrie Fisher, Ricky Gervais, Salma Hayek, Helen Hunt, Michael B. Jordan, Regina King, Peter Krause, Ray Liotta, Ewan McGregor, Adam McKay, Bob Odenkirk, Holly Robinson Peete, Norman Reedus, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jean Smart, Kenan Thompson and Tessa Thompson.

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