Kim Chan(1917-2008)
- Actor
- Producer
Born in China, Kim Chan fled China in 1928 with his father Lem and two
older sisters. Settling first in Rhode Island, then in New York, Kim
left his family after his father caught him lying about an afternoon
spent at the cinema. Faced with an ultimatum, Kim left for years as a
day laborer, occasionally homeless, frequently sleeping on
vermin-infested ironing boards.
Yet when he was not laboring in laundries and restaurants, Kim Chan sought work as an actor in film, television, and the theater. Many roles were small, often reflecting racial stereotypes - casting as a Japanese soldier was common in the 1940s. Chan's big break came only in 1983 with his comedic turn as Jonno, the butler to the late night talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) in Martin Scorsese's _The King of Comedy (1983)_. Since then he has appeared in numerous roles, seemingly never wanting for work.
Yet when he was not laboring in laundries and restaurants, Kim Chan sought work as an actor in film, television, and the theater. Many roles were small, often reflecting racial stereotypes - casting as a Japanese soldier was common in the 1940s. Chan's big break came only in 1983 with his comedic turn as Jonno, the butler to the late night talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) in Martin Scorsese's _The King of Comedy (1983)_. Since then he has appeared in numerous roles, seemingly never wanting for work.
