Net Worth Ranker
What Is James Hong’s Net Worth?
James Hong, a multifaceted American actor, voice actor, writer, producer, and director, has amassed a net worth of $3 million. This financial standing reflects his extensive and diverse career spanning over six decades in the entertainment industry.
James Hong’s Extensive Career
Hong’s journey in show business began in the 1950s, initially involving redubbing soundtracks for Asian films. This early work laid the foundation for a career characterized by remarkable longevity and versatility. He showcased his talent across various platforms, including film, television, and video games, accumulating hundreds of roles over the years.
Between 1956 and 1965, Hong made appearances in notable TV shows such as “Sky King,” a western aviation adventure series; “The New Adventures of Charlie Chan”; Walt Disney’s ABC series “Zorro”; and CBS’s “Perry Mason.” These early roles helped establish his presence in the industry.
One of his most iconic roles remains the immortal ghost sorcerer David Lo Pan in John Carpenter’s 1986 cult classic, “Big Trouble in Little China.” This role solidified his status as a recognizable and memorable figure in pop culture. Beyond this, Hong has appeared in numerous popular shows, including “The West Wing,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Alias,” and “Friends.” These appearances demonstrate his ability to adapt to diverse roles across different genres and eras of television.
His voice artistry has been featured in various media formats, further diversifying his portfolio. He has also ventured into writing, directing, and producing films, with credits including “Teen Lust” (1978) and “Man of a Thousand Faces” (2024). These projects highlight his creative involvement behind the camera, showcasing his multifaceted talent.
In 2022, Hong played Gong Gong in the Academy Award-winning film “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” This role added another significant achievement to his already impressive career, contributing to a film that grossed $143.4 million at the box office and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Early Life and Education
James Hong was born on February 22, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His parents, Lee Suey Far and Ng Fok Hong, immigrated to Chicago, Illinois, from Hong Kong before relocating to Minneapolis. There, his father owned an herb shop and led the local chapter of the labor organization Hip Sing Tong. These familial roots and early influences played a significant role in shaping Hong’s path.
As a child, Hong traveled to Hong Kong for his education before returning to the U.S. at age 10. He later graduated from Minneapolis Central High School. His experiences as one of the only Asian students in his class informed his perspectives on cultural identity and representation. During a 2020 interview with CBS News, Hong recounted the challenges he faced, stating, “I think my class was, you know, probably 500 kids. I was the only Asian student. So, the bullies would pick on me and beat me up so because, you know, bullies are bullies, right? They’ll pick on the underdog.”
Hong’s interest in the performing arts was sparked after witnessing Peking opera performers rehearsing at his father’s herb shop. This exposure ignited a passion that would fuel his career for decades. After graduating from high school, Hong enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where he studied civil engineering. While a student, he joined the Minnesota Army National Guard. His unit was mobilized and sent to Alabama for training during the Korean War.
During his 18 months of training with the Special Services, Hong entertained the soldiers daily. His talent led the camp general to recruit him to oversee live shows at Camp Rucker, preventing his deployment overseas. This opportunity allowed him to hone his performance skills and build a foundation for his future acting career.
Career Milestones
In 1953, Hong moved to Los Angeles with a friend and earned a degree from the University of Southern California. He began working as a road engineer for L.A. County, balancing this with acting projects. After more than five years, he left his job to focus entirely on his acting career, a pivotal decision that underscored his commitment to the entertainment industry.
In the 1950s, Hong held uncredited roles in several films and guest-starred on shows such as “Crusader” (1956), “Flight” (1958), “Dragnet” (1958), “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin” (1959), and “Zorro” (1959). From 1957 to 1958, he played Barry Chan on the syndicated series “The New Adventures of Charlie Chan,” marking an early significant role in his career.
The 1960s saw Hong appear in films like “Flower Drum Song” (1961), “The Satan Bug” (1965), “One Spy Too Many” (1966), “Destination Inner Space” (1966), “The Sand Pebbles” (1966), and “The Bamboo Saucer” (1968). He also had recurring roles on “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” (1965–1966), “The Wackiest Ship in the Army” (1965–1966), “I Spy” (1965–1967), and “Hawaii Five-O” (1969–1974). These roles collectively contributed to his growing recognition and solidified his place in Hollywood.
From 1972 to 1975, Hong appeared in nine episodes of “Kung Fu,” and around this time, he was in the films “The Hawaiians” (1970), “Dynamite Brothers” (1974), “Chinatown” (1974), “The Missiles of October” (1974), “China Girl” (1975), “Bound for Glory” (1976), and “The In-Laws” (1979). These roles demonstrated his versatility and ability to perform in various genres.
Next, James appeared in popular films such as “Airplane!” (1980), “Blade Runner” (1982), “Big Trouble in Little China” (1986), and “Tango & Cash” (1989) and had recurring roles as Dr. Chen Ling on “Dynasty” (1983) and Charles Fong on “Falcon Crest” (1983). His role in “Blade Runner,” in particular, remains a highlight in his filmography, showcasing his impact on science fiction cinema.
He starred in more than 30 films in the 1990s, including “The Two Jakes” (1990), “The Perfect Weapon” (1991), “Body Trouble” (1992), “Wayne’s World 2” (1993), “Tank Girl” (1995), “Operation Dumbo Drop” (1995), “Bloodsport III” (1997), and “Breakout” (1998). He voiced Chi-Fu in the 1998 animated Disney film “Mulan,” adding voice acting to his skill set. The success of “Mulan” further cemented his reputation in family entertainment.
From 2002 to 2004, he provided the voice of Daolon Wong on “Jackie Chan Adventures.” Hong then appeared in films such as “Forbidden Warrior” (2005), “Shanghai Kiss” (2007), “Balls of Fury” (2007), “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008), “Safe” (2012), “R.I.P.D.” (2013), “Fortune Cookie” (2016), and “Grand-Daddy Day Care” (2019). He voiced Mr. Ping in the animated films “Kung Fu Panda” (2008), “Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011), “Kung Fu Panda 3” (2016), and “Kung Fu Panda 4” (2024), the short film “Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll” (2016), and the television series “Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny” (2018–2019) and “Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight” (2022–2023), and he also lent his voice to 2022’s “Turning Red.” His role as Mr. Ping significantly contributed to his earnings and recognition in animation.
In 2022, he played Gong Gong in the film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” alongside Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film grossed $143.4 million at the box office and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. His participation in this critically acclaimed and commercially successful film further elevated his profile.
Personal Life and Real Estate
James Hong’s personal life includes two marriages. He married Pearl Huang on May 9, 1967, and they divorced in April 1973. Subsequently, he married Susan Tong on October 20, 1977. James and Susan have three daughters together. Hong follows the Presbyterian religion, and during his youth, his family attended the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. These personal details provide insight into his family life and values.
In 2020, actor Daniel Dae Kim launched a GoFundMe campaign to secure James a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The successful campaign culminated in Hong receiving his star in May 2022 at age 93, making him the oldest person to receive this honor. This achievement underscores the respect and admiration he has earned from his peers and the broader entertainment community.
In July 2009, Hong purchased a 1,437-square-foot condo in Los Angeles for $721,000. The property features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. This real estate investment represents a portion of his assets and financial planning.
Awards and Nominations
In 2007, Hong was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards, acknowledging his extensive contributions to the film industry. In 2009, James earned an Annie Award nomination for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature for “Kung Fu Panda.” He was nominated in that category for “Kung Fu Panda 2” in 2012 and won for Best Voice Acting in a Television Production for “Kung Fu Panda Holiday” in 2011. These accolades recognize his exceptional talent in voice acting.
In 2012, Hong received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.” In 2022, he shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Motion Picture and a Hollywood Critics Association Award for Best Cast Ensemble with his “Everything Everywhere All at Once” co-stars. These awards highlight his ability to work collaboratively and contribute to successful ensemble casts.
That year, James also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and won an Icon Award for Asian Pacific Cinema and Television at the Critics Choice Awards Celebration of Cinema & Television. These honors celebrate his enduring impact on Asian representation in the entertainment industry and his overall legacy in cinema and television.
