Anecdotes

Upset at the tragedy of 9-11, and concerned about the fate of his two sons who lived in New York City at the time, Victor, who had already survived multiple strokes, deprived himself of needed sleep while riveted to the TV set for nearly two days. He passed away the late evening of September 12, 2001, of heart failure.

Among his many journeys in life, he was, at varying stages, a teenage Christian evangelist, a Protestant minister-in-training, a Zen Buddhist, a visual artist, a poet, a Beat Generation luminary, a pioneering photographer and broadcast journalist, a comedian, and a Hollywood actor.

Was a first-generation Chinese American, born in Chinatown, San Francisco, California to Chinese immigrant parents. His father was a Confucian scholar and successful storeowner who became an unofficial mayor of Chinatown.

Was married four times in all. Had two daughters, Emily and Heather, and three sons, Anton, Lyon, and Duncan. Lyon was killed in a Sacramento fight with another youth in 1986, which triggered Victor's first stroke.

Was an Emmy-winning TV journalist prior to becoming an actor. Although Wong's main beat was San Francisco's Chinatown, he also covered the 1968 Democratic convention, the Zodiac Killer and Patty Hearst and the Symbionese Liberation Army.

Claimed casting directors liked him because of his "lopsided" face, which was caused by Bell's palsy, a facial nerve disorder that struck him in middle age.

Retired from showbusiness in 1998 after suffering two strokes.

Director Bernardo Bertolucci had trouble with Victor on the set of Le dernier empereur (1987) amid arguments over historical authenticity and cut most of Wong's scenes in the film that won the Best Picture Oscar for 1987.

First wife was African-American stage director Olive Thurman, the daughter of Howard Thurman, a well-known author and minister as well as disciple of Gandhi. Howard Thurman established San Francisco's Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, a radical Christian ministry. Wong and his first wife became a dramatic team, staging productions in the auditorium of the church where she directed and he acted and designed and built sets.

After joining Chicago's "Second City" comedy troupe for a brief period of time, he crashed at the home of Langston Hughes, the famed African-American writer.

Contracted tuberculosis while a young boy and spent several years in a sanatorium.

One of television's first Chinese American reporters. He worked on the daily "Newsroom" program on KQED, San Francisco's public TV station, 1968-1974.

His first art exhibit was hosted by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, owner of City Lights Bookstore. Wong, Ferlinghetti and writer Jack Kerouac were friends, with Kerouac mentioning Wong in his book "Big Sur."

When he was in Chicago, he became a member of the Second City improvisational group which was in its formative stages. Wong was asked to leave after only a short time only because the company felt he would not fit into its direction of comedy.

Education: University of California, Berkeley (political science, journalism); University of Chicago; San Francisco Art Institute (painting).

Studied theology at the University of Chicago.

Living the bohemian life style at the time, Wong's first art exhibit as a painting student was hosted by his friend Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the owner of City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco. Wong was also friends and spent much time with another prominent member of the Beat Generation, writer Jack Kerouac, who refers to him in his novel "Big Sur" in the form of the character "Arthur Ma".

He was the only actor to appear in all four 3 Ninjas movies.

Began his career as a stage actor in his hometown's Asian-American Theater.

Studied political science and journalism at the University of California at Berkeley.

Is not related to the 1930s/40s actor Victor Wong, best remembered for his minor appearances as Charlie the cook in King Kong (1933) and Le Fils de Kong (1933).

Brother of Zepplin Wong.

Children: daughters Emily and Heather.