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Kam Tong

Actor

Kam Tong

Born December 18, 1906 in San Francisco, California, USADied November 8, 196920 films

Kam Tong (December 18, 1906 – November 8, 1969) was a Chinese-American actor. He was best known for his role as Hey Boy on the CBS television series Have Gun, Will Travel and as Dr. Li in the film version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song. Curiously, though appearing as a series regular on Have Gun, Will Travel he was never afforded a regular featured credit, always instead listed undistinguished from the support guest cast, perhaps an indication of inherent discrimination in that regard.

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Kam was also a regular on the short run CBS-TV series Mr. Garlund in 1960. He appeared in many movies, often as an uncredited Chinese, Japanese, or Filipino character. He appeared in many television shows, including The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Big Valley, The Time Tunnel, The Final War of Olly Winter, and I Spy.

After serving in World War II in an OSS intelligence unit, he became involved in efforts to raise awareness over gun violence. He also owned and operated a restaurant called Shanghai Lil's in San Francisco.

On November 8, 1969, Kam Tong died of non-communicable disease. At the time of his death, he was 63 years old. At the time of his death he survived by his large extended friends and family.

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The best way into Kam Tong's work
The Man Who Came to Dinner posterFirst watchThe Man Who Came to Dinner19417.0as Chinese Guest (uncredited)An acerbic critic wreaks havoc when a hip injury forces him to move in indefinitely with a Midwestern family.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

20 films as actor
  1. 1967Kill a DragonWin Lim
  2. 1966Dimension 5Kim Fong
  3. 1966Mister BuddwingDice Player
  4. 1966Stagecoach
  5. 1966Women of the Prehistoric PlanetJung
  6. 1963It Happened at the World's FairUncle Walter Ling
  7. 1961Flower Drum SongDoctor Li
  8. 1960Who Was That Lady?Lee Wong (uncredited)
  9. 1955Love Is a Many-Splendored ThingDr. Sen (uncredited)
  10. 1955Abbott and Costello Meet the MummyChinese Busboy (uncredited)
  11. 1954This Is My LoveHarry
  12. 1947Dishonored LadyCourtland's Houseboy
  13. 1942China Girl
  14. 1942The Hidden HandMallo
  15. 1942Across the PacificT. Oki
  16. 1942Rubber RacketeersTom
  17. 1941The Man Who Came to DinnerChinese Guest (uncredited)
  18. 1940Drums of Fu ManchuCrawford's Manservant
  19. 1938International SettlementWaiter
  20. 1936The General Died at DawnHouseboy (uncredited)