James Hong is a Hollywood icon. He has more than 600 credits for his name and has helped inspire the careers of many Asian-American actors. Despite his prolific career, he has yet to star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Now actor Daniel Dae Kim wants to correct that wrong.
Actors like Harry Shum Jr. and Ken Jeong followed the case, showing their support by retweeting Kim’s call to action, or asking what they could do to help.
According to the Hollywood Walk of Fame nomination procedure, anyone – including a fan – can nominate a nominee, as long as the infamous person also submits a letter of agreement. Each year, the commission selects about 30 names to be added to the Walk of Fame. After selection, the Walk of Fame requires a $ 50,000 fee to make and install the star. The deadline for submission for the Class of 2022 is May 29, 2021.
Hong’s legendary career spans decades. You may know him as the maître d ‘in the episode “Seinfeld” entitled “The Chinese Restaurant.” Or as David Lo Pan in “Big Trouble In Little China,” as in the man who made his way back from a fight in “Wayne’s World 2.”
In addition to his endless resume, Hong was a vital force in making Asian-American voices in Hollywood.
Together with actor Mako Iwamatsu, he helped organize the theater group East West Players, created to show the works of Asian and Asian-American actors.
East West Players have seen many great talents pass through their doors over the 55 years – actors such as Randall Park, George Takei, John Cho and Daniel Dae Kim are all associated with the theater.
And according to the theater’s current artistic director, it is thought that at one point, 70% of Asian-American actors in Hollywood had a connection to East West Players.
Hong worked for decades against stereotypes in Hollywood. In an interview with Great Big Story, Hong said, “Even to this day, 500 credits or so, I have no star on the Walk of Fame. So in that sense, there is a lot of hidden prejudice behind this sector. They do not think of us, as I said, the main character … And I try to fight against it. “
A star for James Hong is also recognition for every actor who had a career because of James Hong, and for every actor who broke ceilings so that new voices can be raised today.
As Kim states in GoFundMe, “It’s time James Hong was honored in the way he deserves, and it’s time to show him how much he – and all the color actors of previous generations – have done to pave the way for us today. “
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