James Hong has almost always been a major villain or a secondary character in films that we recall, and he’s stolen the show every time. His larger than life personality and the manner in which he plays his roles is so great that if you see him in the film or hear that he might be making an appearance you tend to get excited simply because it’s him. A lot of the current generation might not know him that well but if any of them have watched Kung Fu Panda then they will at least have heard his voice. He’s got a long list of films and TV shows he’s appeared and in he’s even done quite a bit of voice acting for cartoons and video games. It’s very hard to mistake him for anyone else, as the energy he brings to his roles is just awesome.
Here’s a few movies in which his personality kind of stole the show.
5. Balls of Fury – Wong
Wong is somehow wise but clueless. He’s the wise old master crossed with the village idiot that somehow knows how every secret there is about Ping Pong. Plus, he’s about the biggest star in this movie aside from Christopher Walken. Overpowering everyone else in this film with his personality is the easy part to accept, what’s not easy to accept is how he keeps putting those chopsticks back in his mouth after they’ve been in various locations other than his bowl.
4. Wayne’s World 2 – Jeff Wong
It had to happen, right? Eventually Wayne would want to be a permanent part of Cassandra’s life and he would have to meet her parents. That’s when he finds out that every girl’s dad is bound to think that the man she wants to marry is absolutely no good for her. The fight that ensues is like something straight out of a 1970’s movie along with the spoof value, but it’s priceless for its comedic value.
3. Revenge of the Nerds 2 – Snotty
When the student is ready the master shall appear. No one ever thought that anyone could be as gross as Booger, right? The sheer disgusting nature of the young man made it seemingly impossible to imagine that anyone else could even come close to the revolting persona he’d assumed. But then Snotty came along and all the rules changed. Anyone that can belch loud enough to break a mirror deserves a little respect, and some breathing space.
2. Kung Fu Panda – Mr. Ping
Mr. Ping seems a little oblivious at times as well as a little overbearing, but that’s his charm really. He’s all about the soup, and the noodles, and quite possibly tofu if he gets really ambitious. One other thing he’s all about though is Po, and as funny as he can be Mr. Ping is still a goose that’s extremely proud of his son, even if he does tend to eat more than four or five customers combined.
1. Big Trouble in Little China – David Lo Pan
So which would you rather face, the little old basketcase on wheels or the ten-foot tall roadblock? Given the fact that they’re one and the same person I’d like to say neither, especially with the kind of light show he’s putting on after getting nailed by a SEMI TRUCK. This is one film where Hong actually had to contend with the talents of another actor, as Kurt Russell managed to match him line for line most times. It made for an interesting matchup.
James Hong is definitely an actor you can watch again and again.
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