A Former Santa Monica Resident, Anna May Wong is Considered The First Chinese American Film Star in Hollywood and The First Chinese American Actress to Have International Fame.
By Zach Armstrong
The City Council kicked off celebrations of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month by presenting a proclamation to Anna Wong, the niece of famous actress and former Santa Monica Resident Anna May Wong.
Born in 1905 in Los Angeles, Anna May Wong is considered the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood and the first Chinese American actress to have international fame. She famously refused when the director of Dangerous to Know asked her to use Japanese mannerisms while portraying a Chinese character. She appeared in “Shanghai Express”, “Daughter of the Dragon” and “The Toll of the Sea”.
In 1961, Anna May Wong died of a heart attack at the age of 56. The Asian-American Arts Awards and the Asian Fashion Designers group named annual awards after her. According to Msmagazine.com, Anna Wong’s niece lives in L.A. as an event planner and production executive while working to increase awareness of Asian American issues and keeping her Aunt’s legacy alive.
