Kim Chan, 1915-2008

[wraithfodder]

Well, darn, and I was just thinking about him last week wondering if Kim was still in NYC...

Kim Chan, Who Had Roles in TV and ‘King of Comedy,’ Is Dead

Kim Chan, an actor who became a familiar face in a variety of Asian roles, died on Sunday in Brooklyn. His niece Judy Gee, who confirmed his death, said that he was probably 93 or 94.

One of his most notable roles is his part as Jerry Lewis’ butler in the Martin Scorsese film The King of Comedy, a character who had furious battle with an obsessed fan played by Robert De Niro, Chan, who immigrated to the United States from the province of Canton, China, discovered show business while working in his family’s restaurant in the theater district of Manhattan. Playing bit parts as a houseboy or a Japanese soldier, Chan worked his way to bigger parts in films like Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, The Owl and the Pussycat, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Cadillac Man, the Thai fast-food vendor Mr. Kim in The Fifth Element, Uncle Benny Chan in Lethal Weapon 4 and Jackie Chan’s father in Shanghai Knights.

He was a producer of one of his final films, Zen Noir (2004). His survivors include a son, Michael Chandler, of Queens.

from The New York Times

Source: http://www.asianweek.com/2008/10/10/daily-dose-101008/

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I remember him from Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, where he played a character called 'The Ancient' and met him at Fu Fest back in the 90s (same con I met David Hewlett at). He was a real hoot to talk with!

 

Comments

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

I know! I loved the Ancient and from what I read he really WAS ancient :D I've never seen The King of Comedy because I caan't stand Jerry Lewis but now I want to check it out!

[ancientcitadel.livejournal.com]

I loved the Ancient, and the humour that showed through in that character. :(

[johnsheppardluv.livejournal.com]

loved him in kftlc (as the ancient/ping hai, he really was "bloody marvelous!" as he would say) & luved him in lethal weapon 4 too! he was definitely full of humor and goodwill from the get-go. and he is definitely missed! :(

~Sharma

PS Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi of The Karate Kid 1-4) and Mako (who was in Sidekicks with Chuck Norris and Johnathan Brandis & was also in kftlc as the leader of the triad sect) also died recently. :(

Seriously, dude, it's like all the awesome asians/asian americans are going at the same time, and it makes me very sad. 'cuz not only were they all excellent actors, they were all excellent mentors and humanitarians and "comedians" as well!

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

I met him at that same con as well and he was one of the kindest people I had ever met! Sad to see he is gone.