James Wang (c. 1863 – 1935) was a Chinese actor and casting agent who worked in Hollywood from the 1910s to the 1930s. He is known for discovering the actress Anna May Wong.

James Wang
A Chinese man with a goatee, wearing a brimless cap and a traditional quilted jacket
James Wang, from a 1919 publication
Born1863
Died1935 (aged 71–72)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Casting agent
Years active1910 - 1930

Biography

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Wang arrived in San Francisco around 1878 at the age of 18.[1]

He told reporters he had been raised by missionaries in China, and that when he came to the United States, he began working as a minister at churches in Boston and New York City.[2][3][4][5]

He was accused of being a member of the Hip Sing Association — a Chinese-American street gang — in the early 1900s, although he was also an advocate for reform in New York City's Chinatown neighborhood, and offered up evidence that led to a number of police raids.[6][7]

Eventually, he made his way to Los Angeles, where he pursued a career as an actor and a casting agent. He was often called on to procure Chinese talent by the major studios,[8] and it was in this capacity that he discovered a young Anna May Wong in Los Angeles's Chinatown neighborhood.[5]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ "Inside Stories on Hollywood". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. April 17, 1933. p. 8. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Feature New Girl in Each of 20 Movies". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. April 5, 1933. p. 18. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Keavy, Hubbard (April 3, 1933). "Hollywood Screen Life". The Poughkeepsie Eagle-News. Poughkeepsie, New York. p. 6. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Oldest Actor Plays Again". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. March 14, 1933. p. 7. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b Chan 2007, p. 30.
  6. ^ "Chinatown Raided". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. April 27, 1905. p. 12. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Says Jim Wang's a Grafter". The Sun. New York, New York. June 23, 1905. p. 12. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Chinese Play Is Offered at Empire". The Honolulu Advertiser. Honolulu, Hawaii. April 23, 1922. p. 30. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.

Bibliography

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