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Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Peter Kwong dead at 73: Big Trouble in Little China movie star, martial arts expert & acting veteran dies in his sleep
The star started his career as a TV actor in the 1970s STAR GONE Peter Kwong dead at 73: Big Trouble in Little China movie star, martial arts expert & acting veteran dies in his sleep Peter Kwong, the movie star, martial arts expert and acting veteran has died, aged 73. Kwong died in his sleep on Tuesday night, according to one of his representatives. Advertisement 3 The actor starred in nearly 90 film and television roles Credit: Splash 3 One of his most well known roles was in the classic Big Trouble in Little China Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Kwong died in his sleep aged 73 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The actor played Rain in John Carpenter's 1986 action classic Big Trouble in Little China. Kwong starred in nearly 90 film and television roles over the course of his career. He began as a TV actor in the late 1970s and 1980s in shows such as The A-Team, Wonder Woman, Little House on the Prairie and Miami Vice. His first film role came in 1977 in the drama Panic in Echo Park. Advertisement In 1986, Kwong took up one of his most famous roles as Tommy Tong in Eddie Murphy's comedy-adventure The Golden Child. That same year Kwong appeared in perhaps his most famous movie role in Big Trouble in Little China where he played Rain, one of the three super-powered martial artists. He starred alongside Kim Cattrall and Kurt Russell. The film has emerged as a cult classic over time despite failing at the box office at the time of release. Advertisement The 1990s saw Kwong appear in a range of other TV shows, in both drama and comedy, including Renegade, Malcolm & Eddie, The District, My Wife and Kids, JAG and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also appeared in other film roles including The Presidio, Gleaming the Cube, I'll Do Anything, Paper Dragons and Cooties. His final role was the voice of Mike in the comedy series Pepito's Mamadas. In addition to being a film star, Kwong was also a martial arts expert. Advertisement He worked in Northern Shaolin kung fu, Chinese kata and a range of weapons including swords, staffs, spears, and nunchaku. Kwong was also a professional dancer which included ballroom, martial arts fusion, disco and breaking. Outside of Hollywood, he was on the SAG National Board of Directors for more than a decade and was also a member of the AFTRA National Board of Directors. He also served on the Television Academy Board of Governors and the Actors Branch Executive Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
‘Big Trouble in Little China' actor Peter Kwong dead aged 73
Peter Kwong has died aged 73. The actor, best known for his role in John Carpenter's cult classic 'Big Trouble in Little China', passed away in his sleep on Tuesday (28.05.25), according to a statement from his team. Deadline, which first reported his passing, said: 'His reps told Deadline that Kwong died overnight Tuesday in his sleep.' Over a career spanning more than four decades, Peter appeared in nearly 90 film and television roles and was widely respected for his contributions to the screen and the acting community through his work in industry organisations. Born in Los Angeles in 1950, Peter began his acting career on television in the late 1970s, landing roles in series such as 'Wonder Woman', 'Little House on the Prairie', 'Miami Vice' and 'The A-Team'. His first appearance in film came in the 1977 drama 'Panic in Echo Park'. In 1986, Peter landed two of his most notable roles. He portrayed Tommy Tong opposite Eddie Murphy in the fantasy comedy-adventure 'The Golden Child', and Rain, one of the three elemental martial artists in 'Big Trouble in Little China'. The latter, which also starred Kim Cattrall and Kurt Russell, was a commercial disappointment upon release but has since grown into a cult classic. Speaking about his role in the Carpenter-directed film, Peter once said: 'The character of Rain was something special. The fight choreography, the costume – it all came together in a way that stuck with people. 'Even decades later, fans still come up to me and talk about it.' That same year, he also appeared in 'Never Too Young to Die'. Beyond his on-screen work, Petr was active in promoting representation and supporting actors' rights in the industry. He served on the Screen Actors Guild's National Board of Directors for more than 10 years and was a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists' National Board. The actor and martial artist also held positions on the Television Academy's Board of Governors and the Actors Branch Executive Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Iconic Big Trouble in Little China star dies as tributes pour in from fans
Big Trouble in Little China star Peter Kwong has died aged 73, his representative have confirmed. The actor and martial artist was best known for playing Rain in John Carpenter's 1986 classic film alongside Kim Cattrall and Kurt Russell. The actor died in his sleep on Tuesday night, with his representative sharing no further details. The Californian actor took on roles in The A-Team, Wonder Woman, Little House of the Prairie and Miami Vice throughout the '70s and '80s. Since the sad news broke, Peter's fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to the iconic film star. One wrote on X: "Peter Kwong who played Rain in Big Trouble in Little China has sadly passed away. Another small piece of our childhood gone. RIP." Another tweeted: "This is shocking and I'm saddened that Peter Kwong, the actor who played "RAIN" has passed away in his sleep overnight at the age of 73. Peter, will forever be to me, RAIN, the coolest cat, ever with long locks to wear a two piece suit! #RIP."
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Peter Kwong dead at 73: Big Trouble in Little China movie star, martial arts expert & acting veteran dies in his sleep
Peter Kwong, the movie star, martial arts expert and acting veteran has died, aged 73. Kwong died in his sleep on Tuesday night, according to one of his representatives. Advertisement 2 Kwong died in his sleep aged 73 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 The actor starred as Rain in Big Trouble in Little China Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The actor played Rain in John Carpenter's 1986 action classic Big Trouble in Little China. He began his career as a TV actor in the late 1970s and 1980s in shows such as The A-Team, Wonder Woman, Little House on the Prairie and Miami Vice. His most well known role came in Big Trouble in Little China in which he played Rain, one of the three super-powered martial artists. He starred alongside Kim Cattrall and Kurt Russell. Advertisement The film has emerged as a cult classic over time despite failing at the box office at the time of release. Kwong also starred in Never Too Young to Die in 1986 alongside John Stamos and Vanity. He also appeared alongside Eddie Murphy and Charles dance in The Golden Child. Outside of Hollywood, he was on the SAG National Board of Directors for more than a decade and was also a member of the AFTRA National Board of Directors. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity He also served on the Television Academy Board of Governors and the Actors Branch Executive Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Toronto Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
12 television shows influenced by the Vietnam War
Published May 02, 2025 • Last updated 9 minutes ago • 6 minute read The original cast of The A-Team T.V. show. Photo by NBC / SunMedia The evening news brought the Vietnam War into American living rooms, but once the news was over, so was the war. Prime-time shows brought nary a mention of it as networks looked to bring uncontroversial content to the broadest possible audience. But the war simmered below the surface as subtext, and when enough years passed, television would finally take it on as a subject. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.' (1964-1969) 'Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.' premiered on CBS six weeks after the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin resolution authorized U.S. combat troops in Vietnam, and the daft comedy was among the chief images of the military in American homes through the peak of U.S. involvement in 1969. Naturally, the show about a country rube in the Marine Corps never directly mentioned the war. But most of the real-life Marines who marched in its introduction would soon be fighting in Vietnam. Star Jim Nabors later said watching that intro was difficult, knowing some of those men had died. 'All in the Family' (1971-1979) It would take 'All in the Family' to bring the war into prime-time discourse. The Norman Lear-created CBS comedy owed its popularity to timely political bickering between cantankerous patriarch Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) and his liberal-minded son-in-law Michael 'Meathead' Stivic (Rob Reiner). Vietnam was the sole subject of a landmark 1976 episode where a draft-dodging fugitive friend of Michael's comes to Christmas dinner, and an explosive argument ensues. 'When the hell are you going to admit that the war was wrong?!' Michael shouts. A friend of Archie's whose son died in the war shocks him by taking his son-in-law's side. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'M*A*S*H' (1972-1983) Set in the Korean War of the early 1950s, 'M*A*S*H,' the CBS dramedy about wisecracking U.S. Army doctors, was among the most popular shows in the country during the Vietnam War's final years. It was heavy with anti-military, anti-war sentiment, evoking the zeitgeist of a Vietnam-exhausted populace. 'War isn't Hell,' Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda, says in a typical line. 'There are no innocent bystanders in Hell, but war is chock full of them.' (The Robert Altman film the show stemmed from deliberately minimized references to Korea to maximize its unspoken commentary on Vietnam.) 'The A-Team' (1983-1987) Television's first regular portrayal of Vietnam veterans came in the form of a cartoonish crew of daring mercenaries that reflected the era of Reagan and Rambo. NBC's 'The A-Team,' whose members included a mohawked-and-gold-chained Mr. T and a cigar-chomping George Peppard, were a 'crack commando unit' who were innocent fugitives from military justice and worked as mercenaries pulling off weekly capers. Explosions and jumping cars abounded. In a fourth-season episode, the team returns to Vietnam for a job. Peppard's Hannibal momentarily struggles with dark war memories before getting back to the lighthearted action. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The Welcome Home Concert' (1987) HBO aired and helped organize a 1987 charity concert dubbed 'Welcome Home' that billed itself as the warm celebration Vietnam War veterans never got upon their return. Performers included James Brown, Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Wonder. The July Fourth concert was not a militaristic affair, and had a hate-the-war, love-the-troops vibe. Some of the most anti-war songs of the '60s were performed by artists like John Fogerty and Crosby, Stills & Nash. The event would be a harbinger of a wave of cultural nostalgia and reckoning as baby boomers began turning 40 and were in the mood to reflect. 'Tour of Duty' (1987-1990) With 'Tour of Duty,' the Vietnam War finally came to prime time. The CBS series that premiered in 1987 showed actual combat and the young men who fought and died in it. It might have been called 'Platoon: The Series,' after the Vietnam film that had just won best picture at the Oscars. Surprisingly gory and gritty for a network show, it had all the hallmarks of the era's many Vietnam movies. But executives seeking lower costs and higher ratings _ which never came — eventually moved production from Hawaii to California and introduced romances and soapy plotlines typical of TV dramas. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'China Beach' (1988-1991) And suddenly, there were two Vietnam series on TV. ABC's 'China Beach' was part-'M(asterisk)A(asterisk)S(asterisk)H,' part-'Grey's Anatomy,' part-'Mad Men.' Set in a wartime evacuation hospital — the title was the Americans' nickname for My Khe Beach in Đa Nẵng — it focused on Army medics and civilians. It was festooned with '60s songs whose copyrights have kept the series off streaming services. Beloved by critics, 'China Beach' made a star and a best-actress Emmy winner of Dana Delany, but never found a mass audience. With its cancellation, network TV depictions of the war would disappear for years. 'The Wonder Years' (1988-1993) 'The Wonder Years' was baby boomer nostalgia in its purest form. The ABC series, narrated by an adult Kevin Arnold (voiced by Daniel Stern, played as a child by Fred Savage), depicts his boyhood feelings and experiences with the backing of sentimental '60s songs. The specter of Vietnam dominates its first season, which sees Kevin's hero — the big brother of his neighbor and crush Winnie Cooper — die in the war. In a 2021 reboot, the story shifts to a Black family in Alabama, with narrator Dean Williams' brother a returning Vietnam vet who faces racism at home. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The '60s' (1999) The NBC miniseries 'The '60s' was a roundup of the decade's cliches that by then had been well-established in movies and TV. The 1999 two-night event was billed as 'the movie event of a generation.' Its subjects were three Chicago siblings who each go on very 1960s journeys. For Jerry O'Connell's high-school quarterback character, that meant serving in Vietnam. He enlists in a gung-ho moment, but by the show's second night, he's back home with an Army jacket and long hair, drinking to bury his trauma. The show drew a big audience at a time when NBC was ratings king. 'This Is Us' (2016-2022) The time-hopping, tear-jerking NBC family drama 'This Is Us' used the Vietnam War to delve into the psyche of Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia), who refused to talk about his experience as a soldier with his wife and kids before his premature death. In dual plotlines that run through its third season, with the emotional themes and folk-acoustic soundtrack that are hallmarks of 'This Is Us,' Jack is shown enlisting to try to protect his drafted younger brother. Decades later, his son Kevin (Justin Hartley) travels to Vietnam to find out what happened to his father and uncle. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The Vietnam War' (2017) In a docuseries that ran over 10 nights on PBS, the Vietnam War got the same hallowed treatment Ken Burns brought nearly 30 years earlier to the Civil War. Burns and Lynn Novick's 'The Vietnam War' was not as soft or sentimental as his reputation might have suggested. It was a rare PBS show with a TV-MA rating, and its tone, with a modern soundtrack from composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, matched the messiness of the conflict. The show went to lengths to include a North Vietnamese perspective along with American and South Vietnamese vets and historians. 'The Sympathizer' (2024) It took until 2024 before a fictional television show would attempt a Vietnamese perspective of the war's end and its aftermath, though it brought mixed reactions from Vietnamese American viewers. HBO's 'The Sympathizer' was based on Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The first two episodes of the black-comic limited series depict a harrowing flight during the fall of Saigon. Actors of Vietnamese descent played most of its main roles, including lead Hoa Xuande. But much of the attention given to it _ and its only Emmy nomination — went to Robert Downey Jr. for his portrayal of four different white American men. Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs Editorial Cartoons Canada Sunshine Girls
