James Hong.Photo: Arturo Holmes/Getty
A moment nearly a century in the making:Everything Everywhere All At Once’sJames Hongattendedthe Oscarsfor the very first time at age 94.
“It’s a great pleasure to be here, the first time to be atthe Academy Awards,” Hong said on ABC’sOn the Red Carpet atthe Oscarspreshow Sunday. “Here I am, after 70 years, I’m here. Actually, I’m 94!”
Everything Everywhere All At Oncehasthe most nominations of any movieat the 95th Academy Awards, receiving 11 total nods, include one for the Best Picture category.
Hong, who plays Gong Gong in the sci-fi adventure film, started his acting career in the 1950s.
James and April Hong.CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The Chinese American actor is also hopeful that his first Oscars appearance won’t be his last.
“When I’m 100, I’ll come back and say hello to everybody,” he added.
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It’s been an eventful awards season for Hong, whoreceived a standing ovationat the 2023SAG Awardslast month after telling the audience about the first movie he acted in 70 years ago alongside Clark Gable.
Then he added, “But look at us now, huh?”
James Hong.Kevin Mazur/Getty
He’s appeared inSeinfeld,The Big Bang Theory,ChinatownandBig Trouble in Little China. Hong has also starred in several animated films, notably voicing Mr. Ping in theKung Fu Pandaseries and villain Chi-Fu in Disney’sMulan.
Hong has been married twice: first to Pearl Huang, whom he divorced in 1973 after nearly six years of marriage, and then to current wifeSusan Hong, with whom he tied the knot in 1977. He and Susan, 70, share daughterApril Hong, 44, who he brought as his date to the 2023 Oscars.
For Sunday’s ceremony, Hong complemented his suit with a blue bowtie featuring googly eyes, a nod toEverything Everywhere All At Once.
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The Oscarsair live on ABC on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET.
source: people.com
