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Sammee Tong

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sammee Tong (April 21, 1901 – October 27, 1964) was an American film and television character actor. One of Tong's more notable roles was that of Peter Tong on the sitcom Bachelor Father, which aired on all three national networks from 1957 to 1962. Tong signed with Columbia Pictures, and in 1934, he made his film debut in a bit part in the comedy film The Captain Hates the Sea. In 1939 he returned to his home town as director of entertainment at the Chinese Village of San Francisco's World's Fair, and began the first Chinese radio hour on KSAN. Throughout the 1940s, he had small, usually uncredited, roles in films. He returned to Hollywood in the early 1950s and took roles on television. Tong made his television debut in 1953 in an episode of You Are There. The following year, he appeared in a recurring role as "George, the cook" in a series of television shorts which aired during The Mickey Mouse Club entitled The Adventures of Spin and Marty. In 1955, he reprised his role as George in the feature-length film Spin and Marty: The Movie. He also had a role in the sequel series The Further Adventures of Spin and Marty. In 1957, he landed a co-starring role in the sitcom Bachelor Father, starring John Forsythe and Noreen Corcoran. In the series, Tong portrayed "Peter Tong", Bentley Gregg's (Forsythe) live-in houseboy and valet. Although he was playing a servant, Tong enjoyed the role stating, "Houseboys in movies and the theater always bow low, mutter a few sing song words and disappear, but not on this show. I get dialogue and laughs." In his Bachelor Father role, Tong was not subservient and at one point walked out because he was not paid enough. He spoke with an accent even though the actor was born in the U.S., making it hard to judge how he spoke in real life. After Bachelor Father's cancellation in 1962, Tong was cast as Sammy Ling in the ABC sitcom Mickey, starring Mickey Rooney. Due to low ratings, ABC was considering canceling Mickey. The network was hesitant to cancel the series due to the popularity of Tong's character who had a solid fanbase thanks to his role in Bachelor Father. Tong's death effectively ended any chance for the series' survival and ABC canceled Mickey in December 1964. His final screen appearance was as "Cook" in the 1965 film Fluffy, starring Tony Randall and Shirley Jones. The film was released after Tong's death. In October 1964, Tong committed suicide at the age of 63. At the time of his death, he was appearing in a supporting role on the ABC sitcom, Mickey, starring Mickey Rooney.


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Born:
Apr 21, 1901 In San Francisco, California, USA
Movie/TV Credits:
23
First Appeared:
In the movie Love Before Breakfast 1936-03-09
Latest Project:
Series Mickey 1964-09-16
Known For
Poster of Suicide Battalion
Poster of Hell Bound
Poster of Slaughter on 10th Avenue
Poster of Hey, Jeannie!
Filmography
Series Mickey 1964-09-16
Movie For Those Who Think Young Clyde 1964-06-01
Movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Laundryman 1963-11-07
Series Hawaiian Eye Unknown 1959-10-07
Movie Suicide Battalion Papa Lily 1958-02-28
Movie The Midnight Story Restaurant Proprietor (uncredited) 1957-06-04
Movie Hell Bound Murdered Seaman (uncredited) 1957-10-01
Movie Slaughter on 10th Avenue 1957-09-01
Series Bachelor Father Peter Tong 1957-09-15
Series The Man Called X Unknown 1956-01-27
Series Telephone Time Unknown 1956-04-08
Series Hey, Jeannie! Lee 1956-09-08
Movie Godzilla, King of the Monsters! Dr. Yamane / Dr. Tabata (voice) (uncredited) 1956-05-18
Series Matinee Theater Unknown 1955-10-31
Series General Electric Theater Peter Tong 1953-02-01
Movie Woman on the Run Witness to Suzie's Fall (uncredited) 1950-11-10
Movie God Is My Co-Pilot Chinese Civilian (uncredited) 1945-04-07
Movie China Aide to Japanese General 1943-04-21
Movie Only Angels Have Wings Sam the Cook 1939-05-15
Movie Youth on Parole Chinese Orchestra Leader (uncredited) 1937-10-04
Movie Daughter of Shanghai Chinese Alien in Airplane (uncredited) 1937-12-17
Movie Love Before Breakfast Steward (uncredited) 1936-03-09
Movie The Accusing Finger Chinese-American Convict 1936-11-17