James Hong, a Hollywood veteran and Asian American pioneer, will be honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the organization behind the Los Angeles attraction announced Thursday.
In all, nearly 40 stars from film, television, radio, theater and sports will be added as part of the class of 2022 including Ming-Na Wen, Jason Momoa and the Black Eye Peas.
Hong, 92, has worked in a variety of roles since the 1950s and is known as one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood with more than 600 film and TV credits to his name.
He first gained fame playing Charlie Chan’s number 1 son, Barry Chan, in 1957. The popular detective series has long been criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of Asian Americans and use of yellowface. Yet Hong has endeared himself to the community having been features in such films as Chinatown (1974), Airplane (1980) and Blade Runner (1982).
More recent roles include Mulan (1998), Kung Fu Panda (2008) and Black Ops II (2012).
He also helped establish the East West Players in 1965.
Actor Daniel Dae Kim paid homage to Hong last year when he launched a drive to get hall a star on the Walk of Fame. A Go Fund Me campaign to fund the driver raised more than $55,000 in just four days.
Kim celebrated the announcement on Twitter.
Wen also celebrated the announcement, declaring she’s “Sooooo happy for #JamesHong! He deserved a star years ago.” She also said news about her own star isn’t “sinking in.” “Holy sh*t. I’m getting a star on the #hollywoodwalkoffame,” she said on Instagram.
She was named a Disney Legend in 2019 for her roles in Mulan, The Joy Luck Club, and Ralph Breaks the Internet. She has since gone on to appear in The Mandalorian.
Television viewers may also remember her for her role as Dr. Jing-Mei “Deb” Chen on the NBC drama series ER.
Jason Momoa is one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars and leading men. The Native Hawaiian best known as the star of the Hollywood blockbuster, Aquaman. He’s also appeared in Game of Thrones, The Simpsons and Lego Movie II.
“I just found out I’m going to be on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” he said on Instagram. “Ahhh! What a crazy world. There’s like Francis Ford Coppola, Selma Hayek, Ewen McGregor. I can’t even believe I’m paired with these names . It’s an honor. Super pumped.”
The Black Eyed Peas has been awarded 8 American Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, and six Grammys. The group features Filipino American apl.de.ap with will.i.am, Taboo, and J. Rey Soul. Fergie joined the group in 2002. Their biggest hit, I Gotta Feeling, sat at number 1 for 14 weeks.
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