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Anna May Wong


Anna May Wong (January 3, 1905-February 3, 1961) was the first truly notable Chinese American Hollywood actress. Born Wong Liu Tsong (黃柳霜, pinyin: Huáng Liǔshuāng) in Los Angeles, California, she began playing bit parts as a teenager. Her first role was in the silent film, The Red Lantern (1919) with Alla Nazimova, as an uncredited extra. Her ethnicity prevented her from getting choice parts, especially romantic ones due to the Hays code anti-miscegenation rules. When MGM was casting for the The Good Earth (1937), she was passed up for the lead female role of O-lan because Paul Muni, an actor of European descent, was to play Wang Lung, O-lan's husband. Even though Muni was to be wear heavy make up to look Asian, industry regulations prevented her from playing romantic roles opposite actors of different ethnicity.

Despite this discrimination, she had a number of significant film roles. Her first starring role was in The Toll of the Sea (1921). Anna May travelled throughout Europe, and was one of the leads in the British film, Piccadilly (1929). She has also made films in German and French. In addition, she co-starred with Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express (1932) and with Lana Turner in Portrait in Black. She toured extensively on the stage throughout Europe and the United States, including opposite Vincent Price in Princess Turandot , a stage version of Giacomo Puccini’s opera.

Partial filmography




Last updated: 02-07-2005 17:07:53
Last updated: 02-24-2005 04:26:49