He has worked with everyone from Clark Gable to Harrison Ford. Now the actor is finally getting the attention he deserves. He talks about hidden prejudice, tickling Kim Cattrall – and his dreams for the future
Most 94-year-olds would be happy to sit back and put their feet up, but James Hong didn’t become one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood by taking it easy. His wife, Susan, keeps asking him when he’ll retire. He’s just too busy. Even though he has more than 450 acting credits to his name, there’s still so much he wants to do. “I’d like to make a couple of other movies because this is my chance,” he says. “I’ve waited all these years to do projects and now people are going to back me.”
And that’s down to Everything Everywhere All at Once. The sci-fi martial arts fantasy, starring Michelle Yeoh as a frazzled Chinese American immigrant named Evelyn who suddenly finds herself swept up in a multiverse-spanning battle, was the breakout hit of 2022 and has since become an awards juggernaut, with 11 Oscar nominations. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, it’s the frontrunner to pick up the best picture statuette at the Academy Awards this month.
