Entertainment

James Hong, 93, FINALLY gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after six decades


James Hong was on top of the world on Tuesday as he celebrated the latest milestone in his astounding six-decade career: getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The 93-year-old actor, who is one of the most prolific actors ever with over 600 film and television credits dating back to the 1950s, was joined by friends, family and costars including Jamie Lee Curtis, Tia Carrere and Daniel Dae Kim as his star was unveiled in Hollywood.

The star, who was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1929, looked sprightly as he celebrated his big day and even danced a bit with Curtis.

At last: James Hong, 93, finally received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday after appearing in more than 650 films and TV shows since the mid-1950s

Costars: He was joined by some of his friends and costars in Hollywood, including Jamie Lee Curtis and Tia Carrere

At last: James Hong, 93, finally received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday after appearing in more than 650 films and TV shows since the mid-1950s. He was joined by some of his friends and costars in Hollywood, including Jamie Lee Curtis and Tia Carrere

Hong arrived at the ceremony decked out in a red satin Chinese coat that matched the red carpet surrounding his star.

He contrasted it with a navy vest and black trousers, along with a gray–blue shirt and a gold silk tie. 

The Chinatown actor covered up with a playful black trilby hat and stayed casual and comfortable in black trainers.

‘I’m here! I’m alive!’ he said energetically while addressing the crowd, according to the Los Angeles Times

He received a prime spot for his star on Hollywood Boulevard, located between the iconic Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. 

Seeing red: Hong arrived at the ceremony decked out in a red satin Chinese coat that matched the red carpet surrounding his star

Seeing red: Hong arrived at the ceremony decked out in a red satin Chinese coat that matched the red carpet surrounding his star

On point: He contrasted it with a navy vest and black trousers, along with a gray–blue shirt and a gold silk tie

On point: He contrasted it with a navy vest and black trousers, along with a gray–blue shirt and a gold silk tie

Casual: The Chinatown actor covered up with a playful black trilby hat and stayed casual and comfortable in black trainers

Casual: The Chinatown actor covered up with a playful black trilby hat and stayed casual and comfortable in black trainers

Prime real estate: 'I’m here! I’m alive!' he said energetically while addressing the crowd, according to the Los Angeles Times . He received a prime spot for his star on Hollywood Boulevard, located between the iconic Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum

Prime real estate: ‘I’m here! I’m alive!’ he said energetically while addressing the crowd, according to the Los Angeles Times . He received a prime spot for his star on Hollywood Boulevard, located between the iconic Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum

Joining Hong to celebrate his star’s unveiling was his Everything Everywhere All At Once costar Jamie Lee Curtis.

The actress complemented his jacket with her own sleek red suit with peaked lapels, which she paired with a red top and red suede heels.

She added a cool pair of silver-framed aviator-style glasses and wore her white hair in her standard pixie cut.

The Knives Out actress addressed the crowd to sing Hong’s praises during the event.

The two actors also let loose later in the ceremony when they appeared to dance up a storm with other revelers. 

During her speech, she complimented Hong’s passion and ‘commitment.’

‘He’s a passionate performer. He’s a hilarious presence on set. … But I also think we share a commitment to ambition, to hustle and flow,’ she said.

‘It’s about f***ing time that we are here honoring James Hong with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.’

Paying her respects: Joining Hong to celebrate his star's unveiling was his Everything Everywhere All At Once costar Jamie Lee Curtis

Paying her respects: Joining Hong to celebrate his star’s unveiling was his Everything Everywhere All At Once costar Jamie Lee Curtis

Woman in red: The actress complemented his jacket with her own sleek red suit with peaked lapels, which she paired with a red top and red suede heels

Stylish: She added a cool pair of silver-framed aviator-style glasses and wore her white hair in her standard pixie cut

Woman in red: The actress complemented his jacket with her own sleek red suit with peaked lapels, which she paired with a red top and red suede heels. She added a cool pair of silver-framed aviator-style glasses and wore her white hair in her standard pixie cut

Big fan: The Knives Out actress addressed the crowd to sing Hong's praises during the event

Big fan: The Knives Out actress addressed the crowd to sing Hong’s praises during the event

Celebration: The two actors also let loose later in the ceremony when they appeared to dance up a storm with other revelers

Celebration: The two actors also let loose later in the ceremony when they appeared to dance up a storm with other revelers

Impressive: During her speech, she complimented Hong's passion and 'commitment'

Praise:

Impressive: During her speech, she complimented Hong’s passion and ‘commitment.’ ‘He’s a passionate performer. He’s a hilarious presence on set. … But I also think we share a commitment to ambition, to hustle and flow,’ she said

Tia Carrere, who worked with Hong on 1993’s Wayne’s World 2, sat next to Curtis on the dais.

She was dressed in an elegant black lace dress that highlighted her toned legs, and she complemented it with a black quilted handbag covered in long black fringe.

The model and actress wore her long raven locks swept to one side, and she matched Jamie Lee with her aviator-style glasses. 

Hong was also honored by his other Everything Everywhere All At Once costars, including Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu and the directing duo known as Daniels, Daniel ‘Dan’ Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.

Old friends: Tia Carrere, who worked with Hong on 1993's Wayne's World 2, sat next to Curtis on the dais

Old friends: Tia Carrere, who worked with Hong on 1993’s Wayne’s World 2, sat next to Curtis on the dais

Back in black: She was dressed in an elegant black lace dress that highlighted her toned legs, and she complemented it with a black quilted handbag covered in long black fringe

Back in black: She was dressed in an elegant black lace dress that highlighted her toned legs, and she complemented it with a black quilted handbag covered in long black fringe

Matching: The model and actress wore her long raven locks swept to one side, and she matched Jamie Lee with her aviator-style glasses

Matching: The model and actress wore her long raven locks swept to one side, and she matched Jamie Lee with her aviator-style glasses

Full house: Hong was also honored by his other Everything Everywhere All At Once costars, including Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu and the directing duo known as Daniels, Daniel 'Dan' Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

Full house: Hong was also honored by his other Everything Everywhere All At Once costars, including Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu and the directing duo known as Daniels, Daniel ‘Dan’ Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

Although the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame are given to the biggest and most influential names in entertainment, they’re not a free offering, and the stars are required to pay for the honor.

The unveiling might not have been possible without Lost star Daniel Dae Kim, who in 2020 started a crowdfunding campaign to raise the $55,000 required for the star, which was reached in only four days, according to Variety.

Kim looked dapper in a purple blazer with slim lapels and a tie-free lavender shirt.

He contrasted it with khaki trousers and white sneakers, and he wore a silver luxury wristwatch and rectangular black-frame glasses.

The actor was among the speakers at the unveiling, and he shared an affectionate hug with Hong while introducing him. 

The two actors first met when they appeared together on a 2001 episode of Charmed. 

‘Of course, even then I knew who he was and all that he had accomplished,’ Kim told Variety. ‘Then, around five or six years ago, I was meeting some friends and we started naming all the amazing projects that he’d been a part of. We realized the number was literally in the thousands. It caused me to ask why more people didn’t know him by name, or recognized his incredible career. That’s when I decided that I would do what I could to get him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.’

Helping hand: The unveiling might not have been possible without Lost star Daniel Dae Kim

That was fast: In 2020, he started a crowdfunding campaign to raise the $55,000 required for the star, which was reached in only four days, according to Variety

Helping hand: The unveiling might not have been possible without Lost star Daniel Dae Kim, who in 2020 started a crowdfunding campaign to raise the $55,000 required for the star, which was reached in only four days, according to Variety

Looking good: Kim looked dapper in a purple blazer with slim lapels and a tie-free lavender shirt. He contrasted it with khaki trousers and white sneakers, and he wore a silver luxury wristwatch and rectangular black-frame glasses

Looking good: Kim looked dapper in a purple blazer with slim lapels and a tie-free lavender shirt. He contrasted it with khaki trousers and white sneakers, and he wore a silver luxury wristwatch and rectangular black-frame glasses

Warm: The actor was among the speakers at the unveiling, and he shared an affectionate hug with Hong while introducing him

Warm: The actor was among the speakers at the unveiling, and he shared an affectionate hug with Hong while introducing him

Way back: The two actors first met when they appeared together on a 2001 episode of Charmed

Way back: The two actors first met when they appeared together on a 2001 episode of Charmed

Although he had some famous faces working to get him his star, Hong initially didn’t even know about the crowdfunding campaign.

‘In actuality, I didn’t hear a thing,’ he told Variety. ‘Somehow the internet wasn’t quite working or I didn’t get the email. The next thing I hear, they had the money already.’

The screen legend added that he was moved by the outpouring of support after his many years in Hollywood. 

‘I want to thank all the fans and friends who donated their money. It boggles my mind to think that there’s enough people out there who would do that,’ he continued. ‘And I don’t know who they are, so I’ll just have to thank them through your article.’

Hong’s unveiling included several Chinese lion dancers, and many of those in attendance carried paddles with Hong’s face on them. 

Surprise! Although he had some famous faces working to get him his star, Hong initially didn't even know about the crowdfunding campaign. 'In actuality, I didn’t hear a thing,' he told Variety. 'Somehow the internet wasn’t quite working or I didn’t get the email. The next thing I hear, they had the money already'

Surprise! Although he had some famous faces working to get him his star, Hong initially didn’t even know about the crowdfunding campaign. ‘In actuality, I didn’t hear a thing,’ he told Variety. ‘Somehow the internet wasn’t quite working or I didn’t get the email. The next thing I hear, they had the money already’

Honored: The screen legend added that he was moved by the outpouring of support after his many years in Hollywood

Honored: The screen legend added that he was moved by the outpouring of support after his many years in Hollywood

Sweet: 'I want to thank all the fans and friends who donated their money. It boggles my mind to think that there’s enough people out there who would do that,' he continued

Sweet: ‘I want to thank all the fans and friends who donated their money. It boggles my mind to think that there’s enough people out there who would do that,’ he continued

Hong, who is Chinese American, was born in Minneapolis, but his family later moved to Hong Kong, only to return to the US when he was 10.

He served in the army during the Korean War, but his skill with acting and performing allowed him to remain at Camp Rucker in Alabama to arrange entertainment for soldiers.

Hong, who noted that he was ‘probably the only living guy that has worked with Groucho Marx,’ began appearing in films and television in 1954, and he worked with several icons of Hollywood’s golden age early on.

He appeared on a string of popular TV shows, including Groucho Marx’s You Bet Your Life, Hawaii Five-O, Bonanaza, and I Spy.

Among his film roles, he’s best known for playing a butler that Jack Nicholson has testy interactions with in Chinatown, as well as a geneticist in Blade Runner, the villain in Big Trouble In Little China and Carrere’s father in Wayne’s World 2.

He received particular acclaim for his recent role in the hit sci fi action–dramedy Everything Everywhere All At Once, which featured one of his meatiest roles to date. 

Back and forth: Hong, who is Chinese American, was born in Minneapolis, but his family later moved to Hong Kong, only to return to the US when he was 10

Back and forth: Hong, who is Chinese American, was born in Minneapolis, but his family later moved to Hong Kong, only to return to the US when he was 10

Out of harm: He served in the army during the Korean War, but his skill with acting and performing allowed him to remain at Camp Rucker in Alabama to arrange entertainment for soldiers

Out of harm: He served in the army during the Korean War, but his skill with acting and performing allowed him to remain at Camp Rucker in Alabama to arrange entertainment for soldiers

Iconic: His most famous roles have been in Chinatown, Blade Runner, Big Trouble In Little China and Wayne's World 2

Iconic: His most famous roles have been in Chinatown, Blade Runner, Big Trouble In Little China and Wayne’s World 2

He still has it: He received particular acclaim for his recent role in the hit sci fi action–dramedy Everything Everywhere All At Once, which featured one of his meatiest roles to date

He still has it: He received particular acclaim for his recent role in the hit sci fi action–dramedy Everything Everywhere All At Once, which featured one of his meatiest roles to date

Making it a party: Joining Hong and his friends and family were Chinese lion dancers

Making it a party: Joining Hong and his friends and family were Chinese lion dancers



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