Alving Ing, a Broadway actor best known for his work on Flower Drum Song and Pacific Overtures, has died at 89, Deadline reports.
Ing passed away Saturday, People reports. On Tuesday, his representation confirmed that he had died of complications from COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated. The actor was diagnosed with COVID-19 in mid-July and died of cardiac arrest two weeks later.
Ing was born in Honolulu and studied music at the University of Hawaii, People reports. He made his Broadway debut as Shogun’s mother in the 1976 original production of Pacific Overtures.
In 2002, Ing starred in the Broadway revival of Flower Drum Song alongside Lea Salonga.
“His voice was glorious and filled the room with its flawless sound, but beyond that, his sound was steeped in joy,” Salonga, said in a statement, according to People. “Alvin was a joyful presence to be around at every rehearsal and performance. Beyond that his voice always sounded incredible, he brought a sweetness and kindness everywhere and to everyone. There was always a gentleness to him, but also a sassy sense of humor. He was a gift to everybody that got to work with him, and I’m only extremely blessed to have had that opportunity.”
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In 2016, Ing came out as gay at a cabaret event. He explained his decision in an interview with Onstage Blog:
“Lainie Sakakura, who put my act together, she convinced me that I was old enough not to be so reticent about it,” he said. “In a way, it was very satisfying, but I really would like to do it for the gay community. I haven’t had a chance to do it, of course, because of the pandemic. But I have been in touch with certain gay producers, and when this pandemic is over, maybe I can still do it with them. That’s what I’m hoping. Because, number one, I’m old, I’m Asian, and I’m gay, so maybe it would be — I don’t know, an inspiration for other people.”
Several AAPI voices in Hollywood paid tribute to Ing on social media.
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