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IMDbPro

Kim Chan(1917-2008)

  • Actor
  • Producer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Kim Chan in Zen Noir (2004)
A Chinese Rabbi comes to America - Inspired by the true history of the Chinese Kaifeng Jews. The congregants of a fledgling synagogue in a New York seaside community are shocked when their new Rabbi shows up – and is Chinese. Though worlds apart, the Rabbi and the congregants discover common ground in matters of love, loss and honor. Through the laughter, they find solace and healing in each other.
Play trailer1:38
Oy Vey! (2007)
1 Video
8 Photos
Born in China, Kim Chan fled China in 1928 with his father Lem and two older sisters. Settling first in Rhode Island, then in New York, Kim left his family after his father caught him lying about an afternoon spent at the cinema. Faced with an ultimatum, Kim left for years as a day laborer, occasionally homeless, frequently sleeping on vermin-infested ironing boards.

Yet when he was not laboring in laundries and restaurants, Kim Chan sought work as an actor in film, television, and the theater. Many roles were small, often reflecting racial stereotypes - casting as a Japanese soldier was common in the 1940s. Chan's big break came only in 1983 with his comedic turn as Jonno, the butler to the late night talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) in Martin Scorsese's _The King of Comedy (1983)_. Since then he has appeared in numerous roles, seemingly never wanting for work.
BornDecember 28, 1917
DiedOctober 5, 2008(90)
BornDecember 28, 1917
DiedOctober 5, 2008(90)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

Photos7

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Known for

Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, and Bruce Willis in The Fifth Element (1997)
The Fifth Element
7.6
  • Thai
  • 1997
Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, and Chris Rock in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
Lethal Weapon 4
6.6
  • Uncle Benny
  • 1998
Mark Wahlberg and Chow Yun-Fat in The Corruptor (1999)
The Corruptor
6.1
  • Benny Wong
  • 1999
Bruce Willis, David Morse, and Yasiin Bey in 16 Blocks (2006)
16 Blocks
6.6
  • Sam
  • 2006

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor



  • Oy Vey! (2007)
    Oy Vey!
    8.3
    Short
    • Chen
    • 2007
  • Bruce Willis, David Morse, and Yasiin Bey in 16 Blocks (2006)
    16 Blocks
    6.6
    • Sam
    • 2006
  • The Dig
    7.5
    Short
    • 2005
  • Ninja Bombs (2005)
    Ninja Bombs
    4.1
    Short
    • Crazy Uncle
    • 2005
  • Gabrielle Union, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps, and Regina Hall in The Honeymooners (2005)
    The Honeymooners
    3.5
    • Quinn
    • 2005
  • Jonny Zero (2005)
    Jonny Zero
    7.3
    TV Series
    • Bang
    • 2005
  • Mariska Hargitay in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)
    Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
    8.1
    TV Series
    • Mr. Zhang
    • 2004
  • Zen Noir (2004)
    Zen Noir
    6.0
    • The Master
    • 2004
  • Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson in Shanghai Knights (2003)
    Shanghai Knights
    6.2
    • Chon Wang's Father (as Kim S. Chan)
    • 2003
  • Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Eric Bogosian, Julianne Nicholson, and Chris Noth in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001)
    Law & Order: Criminal Intent
    7.6
    TV Series
    • Mr. Hsu
    • 2002
  • High Times Potluck (2002)
    High Times Potluck
    4.9
    • Saki
    • 2002
  • A Zen Tale (2001)
    A Zen Tale
    6.6
    Short
    • The three monks
    • 2001
  • On the Q.T. (2001)
    On the Q.T.
    5.6
    • Asian Busker
    • 2001
  • The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne (2000)
    The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne
    6.8
    TV Series
    • Zai Chao
    • 2000
  • Eric Close, Margaret Colin, and Dennis Haysbert in Now and Again (1999)
    Now and Again
    8.1
    TV Series
    • The Eggman
    • the Eggman
    • 1999–2000

Producer



  • Zen Noir (2004)
    Zen Noir
    6.0
    • executive producer
    • 2004

Videos1

Oy Vey!
Trailer 1:38
Oy Vey!

Personal details

Edit
  • Alternative name
    • Kim S. Chan
  • Height
    • 5′ 8″ (1.73 m)
  • Born
    • December 28, 1917
    • Guangdong, China
  • Died
    • October 5, 2008
    • Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA(undisclosed)
  • Other works
    TV commercial (taxi driver) for Verizon Wireless (2003)
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Article

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Played characters nick-named "Uncle Benny" in two unrelated movies: "Lethal Weapon 4" (1998) and "The Corruptor" (1999).
  • Quotes
    I always like comedy. I enjoy making somebody laugh.

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