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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
WHAT'S HOLDING BACK RUSSELL WONG?
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:57:01 PM)
s the superfly triad enforcer in ROMEO MUST DIE Russell Wong set millions of female hearts palpitating and as many Asian Americans waiting with bated breath. Two years later Hollywood has yet to announce a significant followup role for the gorgeous Chinese American actor. And he turned 38 in March.
This isn't the first time Wong's career seemed to derail for no apparent reason. Four years earlier countless female hearts had been set aflutter by his long-lashed portrayal of the dashing quester in the syndicated VANISHING SON series. Then, for no apparent reason, the series was canceled.
It isn't as though Wong is a flash in the pan. Over the past fifteen years he has caught Asian American eyes in a dozen movies and TV dramas like JOY LUCK CLUB, EAT A BOWL OF TEA, TAI PAN, 21 JUMP STREET and CHINA WHITE. Most weren't starring roles but his looks and charisma made him a standout. Critics have questioned his range as an actor but few have accused him of being any worse at his craft than, say, Keanu Reeves who routinely commands seven figures in blockbusters.
Naturally Asian Americans wonder if Wong's career has been hampered by his surname. Like Reeves, Wong is the product of a Chinese father and a white mother. The most obvious difference is that Reeves took his white stepfather's surname after early separation from his natural father. Another thing, Wong's younger brother Michael is a major Hong Kong action star.
Is Wong's Asian ethnicity too in-your-face for Hollywood to accept him as a leading man? Or is it too threatening for white America? Or is something else holding him back?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
I think Russell Wong needs to come across the right script. His being an Asian actor should not stop him from going for any role he may be interested in. I have enjoyed watching him in all movies I have seen him in. To be honest, I really did like "Romeo Must Die." He is very handsome, and he can act (in my opinion). If I were a well known Screenwriter, I would write a few scripts for him as the lead (non - martial arts roles). Maybe that is something I will work on...writing a script for him. It's really sad he doesn't get the recognition he deserves because he is Asian. People need to wake up and smell the coffee! This is 2001. This issue with racism should be a thing of the past. I am a black female and I think he is absolutely gorgeous!! He deserves more...he shouldn't have to change his last name to get some respect in the acting business. People should accept him and his acting abilities based on who he is...
Russell Wong Lover
Thursday, November 01, 2001 at 20:31:40 (PST)
I love Russell Wong. I think that he should be giving acting parts that arent stereotypical. I am black and Indian mixed, and I love Asian culture and asian men ^_^. So three cheers to hunky Russell Wong.
Camille
Thursday, November 01, 2001 at 12:55:12 (PST)
Russell Wong is the victim of a white male dominated Hollywood and I think he always was a threat because he is part asian and doesn't hide it and also because he is good looking and charismatic, cant have the non Asian women falling for Asian Hunk, because he might steal the movies roles meant for popular white actors and they cant see him kissing on Meg Ryan or someone like that. Also he speaks English without an accent and I think that white american and Hollywood have this image that anyone that looks Asian speaks accented English.
I disagree that Asians need a Spike Lee type director, because Spike Lee is very divisive and hateful attitude and he is always so hypcrytical. He says in his movie "Bamboozled" that black males are being stereotyped as the loud, jive talking, foul mouthed clowns, and then he turns around and directs the Kings of Comedy.
Hong Kong directors like Tsui Hark have touched on the serious issues of anti-Asian rascism in period action pieces like Once Upon a Time in China and I dont think white america wants to be reminded of its imperialistic past.
Russell should have done like his brother Michael Wong, a major star in Hong Kong films and learned Chinese and I am sure he would have been had better luck there then he would had in Hollywood, at least it maybe it would have paved a path for him, like it did Chow Yun-Fat.
chowyunpat
chowyunpat@aol.com
Monday, October 22, 2001 at 14:55:29 (PDT)
Keanu Reeves is half asian. His father is 1/2 chinese and 1/2 hawaiian, while his mother is english.
Answer
Friday, October 12, 2001 at 13:55:21 (PDT)
I think in this case, it's a very of the two extremes. The first, being that although we're are in the year 2001, we (as a whole) have not learned to accept others as community leaders. The word "community" also meaning "Hollywood". Secondly, I believe Russell is being very precise and careful in choosing a role that will not misrepresent Asian-Americans. So far, stereotypes are, what I believe are holding Russell Wong back. But I feel that he's man enough to shatter the misconceptions.
Jade67
Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 15:55:35 (PDT)
I agree with Russel fan.
We need to consolidate our power in this country for us to have any chance of fair representation in the media. Such is the culture of America -- everything is do-it-yourself. And that applies to getting respect as a group of people. While continuing with our scientific/economic excellence, we need to branch out into politics/arts too. I will go to business school after college, take a crack at become very wealthy, then use those funds to help further asian Amercian agendas in the political areaa.
Future Millionaire, So-Cal Politician.
Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 01:06:01 (PDT)
Malpaso~
Oh certainly ignorance is at work, I don't deny that. And it is not so much a " conspiracy" ,as such, at play as the Hollywood Almighty dollar. The movie industry is big big business...but even more importantly, this country and culture tends to elevate our movie stars to a stature unsurpassed by any other group, save the occasional sports hero like Michael Jordan. ( And now the NY firefighters, thankfully, though they will never get paid what an actor does.)
What I am expressing is the thought that if star's words and support or lack therof of everything from designer labels to political candidates has an impact on the American publics perception and actions - which it does - then yes, I do believe that Hollywood prefers that minoritys are kept down. I do believe that a minority member having the use of the forum of their celebrity status to express their views and sway public opinion can be considered threatening. Imagine if Michael Jordan or Denzel Washington would appeal to other Africa Americans to boycot KMart, for example. Thats an extreme example, and not likely, but my point being...would their celebrity give their proposition more weight? You bet! Could it be effective? Quite likely!!!
I don't think Hollywood worries that Russell Wong will misuse power, any more than they fear that Denzel will organize boycots. But I do sincerely believe that they do not wish to have a strong minority representation, despite their claims to the contrary. Only within the pigeonholes they have established - which for Asians,as we all know, is the karate-chopping-busboy-thug-gangsta-geeky- doctor role. To move beyond that would cause a shift in the power structure, and that is what I am referring to when I say that Russell , as well as other minority members, are still too threatening to the Hollywood Machine.
Russell fan
Friday, October 05, 2001 at 08:26:36 (PDT)
Isn't Keanu Reeves only a quarter Asian (grandfather) and Russell Wong is half (father)? I think this is the most obvious difference - Keanu Reeves doesn't really look Asian.
Just wondering??
Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 10:17:24 (PDT)
[Keanu's natural father is a Chinese American born in Hawaii. --Ed]
yeah baby! he's too much of a threat --too good looking, too integrated.
sad but true
Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 01:04:03 (PDT)
if they want to get big like r wong u got make ur own. They gotta have a asian director like spike lee to the blks. then after that u got movies for us asians. nobody going to make him big unless he makes himself big and we bros gotta stick like spike lee, denzel and will smith and all
if he wants it big
Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 11:32:52 (PDT)
To Russell fan,
I think you give Hollywood too much credit. They fear a predominantly white country isn't going to get behind a non-white lead actor/actress. Conspiracy? Extremely doubtful. Ignorance? Yes. Afterall, the people in Hollywood will do whatever it takes to line their pockets with $$$$.
Malpaso
Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 11:27:23 (PDT)
I think " Just an Observation" hit the nail on the head. Russell Wong has succeeded and could continue to succeed in affecting the sterotypes of Asian men in the media, and putting himself on the same playing field as the Brad Pitts and Tom Cruises of the world. And maybe just maybe, the " powers that be" don't quite want that to happen? They just don't really want an Asian man attaining that kind of stature i.e: power. Just imagine...suddenly his every word would be published ala Tom Cruise coughing making headlines (or so it seems...an exaggeration I know). He could be an actual spokesperson for not just his individual views, but as an Asian man. Could it be that he is kept down because he is a threat? As any Asian man in that position might be?
As far as his acting ability...I think he holds his own. He was terrific in the Joy Luck Club!! And as far as Vanishing Son... that show had potential until the whole premise changed and they started making it slapstick with his ghost brother. It was like Abbott and Costello after that.
Its not just Russell, you realize. Its his agents as well. Are they doing their job? Man I would go bust my chops for this guy!! lol
Well anyway...he is a far better actor than Julia Roberts. Go figure. She gets any role she wants. When is the last time you saw Tamilyn Tomita or Joan Chen? Same philosophy at work here I believe.
In a nutshell, I am saying I believe that maybe Russell had TOO much potential, and for that very reason is getting backs turned on him now.
Russell fan
Monday, October 01, 2001 at 07:51:13 (PDT)
Ed,
How about a feature on Rick Yune? Russel is a cutie, but Rick is 100% Asian American man that turns me on! A pictorial and an interview (like you did with Rusel Wong) would totally light my fire! Come on, Ed! *Kisses*
Korean Hottie.
Monday, October 01, 2001 at 00:13:10 (PDT)
[We featured Rick Yune recently in conjunction with Lisa Ling in What's Rick Doing with Lisa?. --Ed]
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