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Anna May Wong 1905 - 1961

Anna May Wong was born on January 3, 1905, and died at age 56 years old on February 3, 1961 at Santa Monica, CA. Anna Wong was buried at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery 1831 W Washington Blvd, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Anna May Wong.

Anna May Wong

January 3, 1905

February 3, 1961

Santa Monica, CA

Female

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Anna May Wong Anna Wong (1905 - 1961)

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Anna May Wong's History: 1905 - 1961

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Introduction

Overview Wong Liu Tsong, known professionally as Anna May Wong, was an American actress, considered the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, as well as the first Chinese American actress to gain international recognition. Her varied career spanned silent film, sound film, television, stage, and radio. Born: January 3, 1905, Los Angeles, CA Died: February 3, 1961 (age 56 years), Santa Monica, CA Height: 5′ 7″ Parents: Wong Sam Sing, Lee Gon Toy Siblings: Mary Wong, James Norman, Lew Ying, Richard Wong, Frank Way, Roger Sam Nationality: American
01/3

1905

Birthday

January 3, 1905

Birthdate

Unknown

Birthplace

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Early Life & Education

Anna May Wong from Stars of the Photoplay (1930) Anna May Wong (January 3, 1905 – February 3, 1961) was an American actress of Chinese heritage who grew up in a culturally diverse neighborhood adjacent to Chinatown, Los Angeles. Her father believed in exposing his family to the creative arts, and often took them to see traditional Chinese stage productions. Young Anna, however, was fascinated by the emerging film industry in the area, and would fantasize herself as a movie actress like Pearl White or Mary Pickford. Her daydreams began to look like an achievable goal when local Baptist minister James Wang, who often worked with the film productions, recommended her as an extra in the Alla Nazimova silent production of The Red Lantern. Wong was only 14 years old and eventually left school before graduating. While still a teenager, she was cast in the lead role of Lotus Flower in The Toll of the Sea. Wong worked during an era when East Asian Americans were cast in a negative light, and often played in film by non-East Asian actors who used yellow make-up on their skin and tape on their eyelids to mimic what the industry believed passed as Asian facial features. In spite of having the starring lead and top billing in the 1931 film Daughter of the Dragon, she was paid only half as much as Warner Oland, a non-Asian actor who played her father (the villain Fu Manchu) and had far less screen time. Oland was often cast as an Asian on screen, most notably in numerous films as Chinese detective Charlie Chan. Feeling like she was stereotyped and limited in the United States, Wong relocated to Germany for a few years. Back in the United States, DuMont Television Network created the short-lived The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong mystery series for her in 1951. From then until her death in 1961, Wong appeared on a handful of American television programs. She made 60 films in her career, the first 40 of which were during the silent film era. Wong received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960.
Professional Career

Anna May Wong filmography Title Year Role Notes Ref(s) The Red Lantern 1919 Lantern Bearer Uncredited The Nazimova Productions [11] Dinty 1920 Half Moon Uncredited First National Pictures [11] Outside the Law 1920 Chinese Girl Uncredited Universal Pictures [12] The First Born 1921 Hayakawa Feature Play Co. for Robertson-Cole Distributing Corp. [11] Shame 1921 The Lotus Blossom lost film Fox Film [13] Bits of Life 1921 Toy Sing, Chin Chow's wife lost film Marshall Neilan Productions [14] A Tale of Two Worlds 1921 Uncredited role Goldwyn Pictures Corp [11] The White Mouse 1921 Uncredited as Chinese wife Selig-Roark [11] The Toll of the Sea 1922 Lotus Flower Preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive [5] Mary of the Movies 1923 Herself Uncredited Columbia Pictures [15] Drifting 1923 Rose Li Universal Pictures [16] Thundering Dawn 1923 Honky-Tonk Girl lost film Universal Pictures [17] Lilies of the Field 1924 lost film First National Pictures [18] The Thief of Bagdad 1924 The Mongol slave United Artists [19] The Fortieth Door 1924 Zira lost film Pathé Exchange [20] The Alaskan 1924 Keok lost film Famous Players–Lasky Corp [17] Peter Pan 1924 Tiger Lily Famous Players–Lasky [21] Forty Winks 1925 Annabelle Wu lost film Famous Players–Lasky Corp [22] His Supreme Moment 1925 Harem Girl in play lost film, Uncredited [17] Screen Snapshots No. 3 1925 Herself [15] Fifth Avenue 1926 Nan Lo lost film Belasco Productions [23] A Trip to Chinatown 1926 Ohati lost film Fox Film [24] The Silk Bouquet 1926 Dragon Horse lost film Fairmount Productions China Education Film Company [25] The Desert's Toll 1926 Oneta MGM [26] Driven from Home 1927 Chadwick Pictures [27] Mr. Wu 1927 Loo Song MGM [28] The Honorable Mr. Buggs 1927 Baroness Stoloff Short Pathé/Hal Roach [29] Old San Francisco 1927 A Flower of the Orient Chinese girl Preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive Warner Bros. [30] Why Girls Love Sailors 1927 Delamar Pathé Short scenes deleted [29] The Chinese Parrot 1927 Nautch Dancer lost film Universal Pictures [29] The Devil Dancer 1927 Sada lost film Samuel Goldwyn for United Artists [31] Streets of Shanghai 1927 Su Quan lost film Tiffany Pictures [32] The Crimson City 1928 Su Warner Bros. [33] Across to Singapore 1928 Singapore Woman dancing girl Uncredited MGM [34] Chinatown Charlie 1928 Mandarin's sweetheart First National Pictures Preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive [35] Song (Schmutziges Geld) 1928 Song, a Malaysian dancer German-British International Co. Production [36] Piccadilly 1929 Shosho British International Pictures [36] Pavement Butterfly (Großstadtschmetterling) 1929 Mah aka The City Butterfly British International Pictures [36] The Flame of Love (US title) The Road to Dishonour (UK title) 1930 Hai-Tang English-language version British International Pictures/Wardour Films [36] Hai-Tang: Der Weg zur Schande (The Road to Dishonour) 1930 Hai-Tang German-language version of The Flame of Love British International Pictures [36] Le Chemin du déshonneur (The Road to Dishonour / Hai-Tang) 1930 Hai-Tang French-language version of The Flame of Love British International Pictures [36] Sabotage 1930 Directed by Erno Metzner [36] Elstree Calling 1930 Herself Cameo BIP Wardour [37] Daughter of the Dragon 1931 Princess Ling Moy Her first sound film Preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive [38] Shanghai Express 1932 Hui Fei Preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive [39] A Study in Scarlet 1933 Mrs. Pyke [40] Tiger Bay 1934 Lui Chang KBS Productions for World Wide Pictures and Fox Film Corp [37] Chu Chin Chow 1934 Zahrat (British production) Gaumont-British; Gainsborough Pictures [41] Java Head 1934 Princess Taou Yuen (British production) [37] Limehouse Blues 1934 Tu Tuan Paramount [42] Anna May Wong visits Shanghai, China 1936 Preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive Stock footage shot for, but never used in, Hearst Metrotone news [43] Hollywood Party 1937 Herself MGM photographed in Technicolor Daughter of Shanghai 1937 Lan Ying Lin Copyright December 1937; release January 1938 [44] Dangerous to Know 1938 Lan Ying Paramount [45] When Were You Born 1938 Mei Lei Ming (Aquarius) Warner Bros., First National Pictures [46] King of Chinatown 1939 Dr. Mary Ling Paramount Pictures [47] Island of Lost Men 1939 Kim Ling Paramount Pictures [48] Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery 1941 Lois Ling Larry Darmour Productions [49] Bombs Over Burma 1942 Lin Ying Producers Releasing Corporation [50] Lady from Chungking 1942 Kwan Mei Producers Releasing Corporation [51] Bob Ripley's party 1946 Herself Hearst newsreel [52] Impact 1949 Su Lin Cardinal Pictures [53] Portrait in Black 1960 Tawny Universal Pictures [54] Just Joe 1960 Peach Blossom Parkside Productions [9]
Personal Life & Family

Actress
02/3

1961

Death

February 3, 1961

Death date

Heart Attack.

Cause of death

Santa Monica, CA
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Angelus Rosedale Cemetery 1831 W Washington Blvd, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California 90007, United States
Burial location
Obituary

Anna May Wong died of a heart attack on February 3, 1961, at the age of 56. She was in her Santa Monica home at the time of her death, and she was believed to have suffered from liver disease for years prior. Wong was a trailblazing actress, the first Chinese American to achieve international recognition, and she was also the first Asian American to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her death was mourned by many, and her legacy continues to inspire. Elaboration: Death: Anna May Wong died of a heart attack on February 3, 1961. Location: She died at home in Santa Monica, California. Age: She was 56 years old. Health: She had been suffering from liver disease for years before her death. Legacy: Wong was a groundbreaking actress, paving the way for other Asian Americans in the entertainment industry. She was the first Chinese American to achieve international recognition, and she was also the first Asian American to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her legacy continues to inspire, and she is now featured on a U.S. quarter. Biography: Anna May Wong Anna May Wong was born on January 3, 1905 in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles, California. The second child of eight children. National Women's History Museum Anna May Wong On February 3, 1961, at the age of 56, Wong died of a heart attack as she slept at home in Santa Monica. Anna May Wong - Career, Movies & Facts - Biography May 7, 2024 — Death and Legacy Wong died on February 3, 1961, in Santa Monica, California. She was 56. The cause of death was a heart... Anna May Wong Obituary from en.wikipedia.org Anna May Wong ; Died, February 3, 1961(1961-02-03) (aged 56). Santa Monica, California, U.S. ; Resting place, Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery ; Occupation, Actress.

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Anna May Wong lived 18 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 56.

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5 Memories, Stories & Photos about Anna

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

06/11/2025

Anna May Wong

Movie Star.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

06/11/2025

Anna May Wong

Movie Star.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

06/11/2025

Anna May Wong

Movie Star.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

06/11/2025

Anna May Wong

Movie Star.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Kathy Pinna

2.74k+ favorites

09/21/2011

Chinese Movie Star

MacKaye Morris and Anna May Wong, the first Chinese-American movie star, in a production of Turandot.

Anna May Wong (born Wong Liu Tsong - which means frosted yellow willows) was a star in silent movies, "talkies", radio, television, and stage. Her career spanned almost 50 years. She was a beautiful and interesting lady with a fascinating life.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964, photographer

Date & Place: August 11, 1946 in USA

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Anna Wong's Family Tree & Friends

Anna Wong's Family Tree

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Anna May Wong Jan 3, 1905 - Feb 3, 1961

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Other Biographies

Other Anna Wong Biographies

Wong, Anna (Mar 15, 1912 - Oct 18, 1993) Wong, Anna (Jan 25, 1961 - Feb 19, 1999) Wong, Anna (Jul 5, 1912 - Apr 2, 1999) Wong, Anna (Dec 25, 1905 - Apr 14, 1998) Wong, Anna (Sep 27, 1903 - Sep 1993) Wong, Anna (Apr 4, 1955 - Aug 17, 1996) Wong, Anna (Nov 25, 1897 - Aug 6, 1998) Wong, Anna (May 12, 1912 - Sep 1990) Wong, Anna (Oct 22, 1927 - Oct 26, 1997) Wong, Anna (Mar 20, 1940 - Oct 15, 2005)

Wong, Anna (Jul 25, 1947 - Nov 22, 1999) Wong, Anna (Dec 9, 1935 - Nov 13, 2003) Wong, Anna (Jan 24, 1916 - Jan 20, 1999) Wong, Anna (Sep 15, 1921 - May 4, 2005) Wong, Anna (Oct 9, 1928 - Feb 1985) Wong, Anna (Dec 3, 1923 - Jan 4, 2011) Wong, Anna (Apr 20, 1918 - Sep 19, 1994) Wong, Anna (Mar 3, 1911 - May 1985) Wong, Anna (Sep 27, 1945 - Jun 19, 2008) Wong, Anna (Aug 12, 1923 - Jul 8, 2006)

Other Wong Family Biographies

Wong, June Wong, Hong (Oct 12, 1894 - Aug 1966) Wong, Henry (Jan 3, 1898 - Sep 1979) Wong, Germaine (Oct 15, 1930 - Aug 1978) Wong, Kathleen (May 28, 1943 - Sep 1987) Wong, Heng Sig (Mar 29, 1910 - Sep 23, 1995) Wong, Bak (May 2, 1901 - Nov 1974) Wong, Yoke (Feb 3, 1910 - Apr 1973) Wong, Wing (Mar 22, 1897 - Sep 1980) Wong, Mee Tow Ng (Jan 20, 1917 - Sep 8, 1998)

Wong, You (Dec 12, 1908 - Feb 25, 1999) Wong, Moon (Dec 2, 1908 - Nov 1957) Wong, Yon (Apr 11, 1921 - Feb 1981) Wong, Thlu (Aug 24, 1926 - Apr 1993) Wong, Cherk (Sep 15, 1876 - Oct 1962) Wong, Bing (Jan 10, 1899 - Jun 1954) Wong, Eddie (Aug 15, 1892 - Mar 1975) Wong, Valeda (Mar 26, 1920 - Mar 1973) Wong, Hing (Aug 1, 1901 - May 1952) Wong, Sak (Sep 7, 1925 - Apr 18, 1995)

About the AncientFaces Community

Anna May Wong 1905 - 1961

Anna May Wong's History: 1905 - 1961

Introduction

Birthday

Early Life & Education

Professional Career

Personal Life & Family

Death

Gravesite & Burial

Obituary

5 Memories, Stories & Photos about Anna

Anna Wong's Family Tree & Friends

Anna Wong's Family Tree

Anna's Friends

Other Anna Wong Biographies

Other Wong Family Biographies