ST
Sammee Tong
Actor
Born April 21, 1901Died 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.
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 | Hawaiian Eye (TV Series) |
| 1959 | |
| 1959 | Battle Flame · as Chinese Prisoner |
| 1959 | Bold Venture (TV Series) · as Sam Chew |
| 1958 | Suicide Battalion · as Papa Lily |
| 1957 | Stopover Tokyo · as Diplomat |
| 1957 | Man of a Thousand Faces · as Chinese Extra |
| 1957 | Hell Bound · as Murdered Seaman (uncredited) |
| 1957 | The Californians (TV Series) · as Quon Wei |
| 1957 | The Thin Man (TV Series) · as Cook |
| 1957 | Bachelor Father (TV Series) · as Peter Tong |
| 1957 | Slaughter on 10th Avenue · as Sam |
| 1957 | The Iron Sheriff · as Charley Key - Laundry Owner |
| 1957 | The Midnight Story · as Restaurant Proprietor (uncredited) |
| 1956 | The Further Adventures of Spin and Marty (TV Series) · as Sam |
| 1956 | Flight to Hong Kong · as Shop Proprietor |
| 1956 | Hey Jeannie! (TV Series) · as Lee |
| 1956 | Godzilla: King of the Monsters! · as Dr. Yamane / Dr. Tabata (voice) (uncredited) |
| 1956 | Telephone Time (TV Series) |
| 1955 | The Adventures of Spin and Marty (TV Series) · as Sam The Cook |
| 1955 | Matinee Theater (TV Series) |
| 1955 | My Friend Flicka (TV Series) · as Wong |
| 1955 | Judge Roy Bean (TV Series) · as Ah Sid |
| 1955 | The Left Hand of God · as Servant |
| 1955 | The Mickey Mouse Club (TV Series) · as 'the Adventures Of Spin And Marty' Serial |
| 1955 | Spin and Marty: The Movie · as George |
| 1953 | You Are There (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1953 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) · as Peter Tong |
| 1952 | Cavalcade of America (TV Series) · as Mr. Jorhat |
| 1952 | Death Valley Days (TV Series) · as Thomas Bottle |
| 1951 | Sky King (TV Series) · as Ipp |
| 1950 | Woman on the Run · as Witness To Suzie's Fall (uncredited) |
| 1950 | The Jack Benny Program (TV Series) · as Maitre D' Of Lotus Blosom Inn |
| 1945 | Out of This World · as Chinese Radio Announcer |
| 1945 | God Is My Co-Pilot · as Chinese Civilian (uncredited) |
| 1943 | China · as Aide To Japanese General |
| 1939 | Only Angels Have Wings · as Sam The Cook |
| 1937 | Daughter of Shanghai · as Chinese Alien In Airplane (uncredited) |
| 1937 | West of Shanghai · as Messenger |
| 1937 | Youth on Parole · as Chinese Orchestra Leader (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Think Fast, Mr. Moto · as Cheela - Marloff's Houseboy |
| 1937 | The Good Earth · as Chinese Man |
| 1937 | China Passage · as Rooftop Marauder |
| 1936 | Stowaway · as Bing Crosby Imitator |
| 1936 | Happy-Go-Lucky · as Driver |
| 1936 | The Accusing Finger · as Chinese-American Convict |
| 1936 | Love Before Breakfast · as Steward (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Charlie Chan in Shanghai · as Waiter |
| 1934 | The Captain Hates the Sea · as Sin Kee |