Martial artist and actor with a distinctive appearance, characterized by a slightly drooping face due to a bout of Bell's palsy, which resulted from a unique combination of facial features.
Prior to his acting career, he studied political science, art, and journalism, demonstrating a well-rounded educational background.
In the late 1960s, he began his career as a news reporter for a San Francisco public TV station, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt to different roles.
Despite an early stint on the TV soap opera Search for Tomorrow in the mid-1970s, he didn't break into the film industry until his late fifties, with a minor role in the telemovie Nightsongs in 1984.
He then went on to appear in the action-packed Year of the Dragon alongside Mickey Rourke, followed by the heartwarming Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart, before landing the iconic role of the Chinese wizard "Egg Shen" in Big Trouble in Little China, where he helped truck driver Kurt Russell defeat the evil Lo-Pan.
Wong's offbeat style and unique persona remained in demand, with roles in Prince of Darkness and Tremors, where he played an opportunistic store owner who gets more than he bargained for.
He then appeared as the wise grandfather and retired ninja in the kids' martial arts adventure 3 Ninjas, and reprised his popular role for the sequels 3 Ninjas Kick Back, 3 Ninjas: Knuckle Up, and 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain.
Sadly, Wong retired from acting in 1998 due to ill health and passed away in September 2001 from heart failure, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a distinctive on-screen presence.
