March 26, 1995
By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
Russell Wong has been recognized.
Best known for his role as the cruel, playboy husband in "The Joy Luck
Club," the 6-foot actor seems oblivious to the gawking female guests at
the Four Seasons Hotel. He's more interested in finishing his fruit salad
and peppermint tea.
Wong, who stars as Jian-Wa
Chang in the syndicated series "Vanishing Son," took a breather to chat
with us during his first trip to Chicago.
Q. If Jian-Wa Chang fought
Russell Wong, would he kick your butt?
Wong: "Yeah,
he probably would. I've studied martial arts on and off for 10 years
but the character is an expert. The Jian-Wa character is kind of
a romantic hero. He plays the violin and he can kick ---, so there
you go."
Q. Are you the
David Carradine of the Generation X set? (Carradine starred in the '70s
series "Kung Fu.")
Wong: "David
Carradine's a good actor but he doesn't have any Asian blood in him, I
don't think. And even today he's still playing an Asian and it's
a joke. If it was a white actor trying to play a black guy, do you
think he would get away with it? (Wong is of Chinese and Dutch heritage.)"
Q. You're often
shirtless on the show. Is your chest naturally smooth or do they
make you wax it?
Wong: "What?
No! Sometimes they put a little layer of glycerin on it."
Q. There aren't
too many Asian male sex symbols out there. What's the worst stereotype
about Asian men?
Wong: "Oh -
you know. Just for the record, I wear size 10- 1/2 shoes."
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