Anna May Wong, an American actress, is regarded as the first Chinese-American actress to achieve international acclaim and become a Hollywood movie star. She was born on January 3, 1905, and she passed away on February 3, 1961, from a heart attack. She worked in radio, television, theatre, silent and sound films, as well as other mediums.
She is the first Asian American to appear on US currency and one of the first women to be portrayed on the back of a quarter in the 2022–2025 American Women quarters series. When Metro Pictures needed 300 female extras for Alla Nazimova’s film The Red Lantern, she was working at the Ville de Paris department store in Hollywood (1919).
She left Hollywood in 1928 for Europe because she was fed up with being stereotyped and being passed over for leading Asian character roles in favor of non-Asian actors. American studios were searching for new European talent in the 1930s. Ironically, they were drawn to Anna May Wong, who in 1930 received a contract offer from Paramount Studios.
She went back to the United States after being lured by the prospect of leading roles and top billing. She was given a lead role in the Broadway production of On the Spot thanks to her reputation and the training she received while living in Europe.
Anna May Wong Siblings: Meet Mary Wong and Lew Ying.
Anna May Wong had two sisters. Mary Wong, who was also an actress and Lew Ying. Mary was born on March 11, 1910. She passed away on July 15, 1940. Lew Ying on the other hand was born on December 21, 1902. She died in 1995.
