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Sammee Tong
Actor
Died October 27, 1964 (63 years)
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.
Filmography
| 1965 | Fluffy · as Cook |
| 1964 | For Those Who Think Young · as Clyde |
| 1963 | It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World · as Laundryman |
| 1959 | Battle Flame · as Chinese Prisoner |
| 1959 | |
| 1959 | Bold Venture (TV Series) · as Sam Chew |
| 1958 | Suicide Battalion · as Unknown |
| 1957 | Hell Bound · as Murdered Seaman (uncredited) |
| 1957 | Bachelor Father (TV Series) · as Peter Tong |
| 1957 | The Californians (TV Series) · as Quon Wei |
| 1956 | Godzilla: King of the Monsters! · as Dr. Yamane (voice) (uncredited) |
| 1956 | Flight to Hong Kong · as Shop Proprietor |
| 1955 | The Left Hand of God · as Servant |
| 1955 | The Adventures of Spin and Marty (TV Series) · as Sam the Cook |
| 1955 | Judge Roy Bean (TV Series) · as Ah Sid |
| 1955 | My Friend Flicka (TV Series) · as Wong |
| 1955 | The Mickey Mouse Club (TV Series) · as 'The Adventures of Spin and Marty' serial |
| 1953 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) · as Peter Tong |
| 1952 | Death Valley Days (TV Series) · as Thomas Bottle |
| 1952 | Cavalcade of America (TV Series) · as Mr. Jorhat |
| 1951 | Sky King (TV Series) · as Ipp |
| 1950 | The Jack Benny Program (TV Series) · as Maitre d' of Lotus Blosom Inn |
| 1950 | Woman on the Run · as Witness to Suzie's Fall (uncredited) |
| 1945 | God Is My Co-Pilot · as Chinese Civilian |
| 1943 | China · as Aide to Japanese General |
| 1939 | Only Angels Have Wings · as Sam the Cook |
| 1937 | The Good Earth · as Chinese Man |
| 1936 | Stowaway · as Bing Crosby Imitator |
| 1936 | Love Before Breakfast · as Steward (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Happy-Go-Lucky · as Driver |