Nancy Kwan

Biography

Nancy Kwan Ka-shen (Cantonese: 關家蒨; born May 19, 1939) is a Hong Kong-born American actress, author, and philanthropist. She meteorically rose to fame by starring in the Hollywood films The World of Suzie Wong (1960) and Flower Drum Song (1961), which were among the first to cast Asian actors in major roles. Her dazzling 'oriental' style and signature bob cut became iconic and cemented her status as an exotic sex symbol. Later in life, Kwan became involved in philanthropy for AIDS awareness. In 1997, she published a book about her son who died from the disease and donated its profits to support the promotion of AIDS awareness.

Known For

The Daily Show

ER

The A-Team

Golden Globe Awards

Knots Landing

Hawaii Five-O

What's My Line?

Fantasy Island

All Movies (56)

• Bruce Lee: A Life in Ten Pictures2023
• Be Water2020 · as Self - Actress / Friend
• Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming2017 · as Gloria (voice)
• Paint It Black2016 · as Margaret
• To Whom It May Concern: Ka Shen's Journey2010 · as Herself
• You Don't Know Jack: The Jack Soo Story2009 · as Self
• Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective2009 · as Self (archive footage)
• Hollywood Chinese2007 · as Self
• Anna May Wong - Frosted Yellow Willows: Her Life, Times and Legend2007 · as Narrator
• Ray of Sunshine2006 · as Lilly
• Murder on the Yellow Brick Road2005 · as Natalie Chung
• The Unbeatable Bruce Lee2001
• Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar1999 · as Mitsuko McFee
• For Life or Death1996 · as Ling Li
• Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities1995 · as Self
• Rebellious1995 · as Joni
• Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story1993 · as Gussie Yang
• Babies1990 · as Dr. Liu
• Cold Dog Soup1990 · as Madame Chang
• Miracle Landing1990 · as C.B. Lansing
• Sally's Beauty Spot1990 · as Suzie Wong (archive footage)
• Night Children1989 · as Diane Martin
• Slaying the Dragon1988
• Keys to Freedom1988 · as Dr. Lao
• Reel Horror1985 · as Leslie (archive footage)
• Blade in Hong Kong1985 · as Lily
• Walking the Edge1985 · as Christine Holloway
• The Last Ninja1983 · as Noriko Sakura
• Angkor: Cambodia Express1981 · as Sue
• Streets of Hong Kong1979 · as Mei Mei
• Night Creature1978 · as Leslie
• Project: Kill1976 · as Lee Su
• That Lady from Peking1975 · as Sue Ten Chan
• Supercock1975 · as Yuki Chan
• Fortress in the Sun1975 · as Maria
• The Pacific Connection1974 · as Leni
• Spring Comes Not Again1974
• Wonder Women1973 · as Dr. Tsu
• Heiße Ware aus Hong Kong1973 · as Self
• Karioka etchos de America1971
• The McMasters1970 · as Robin
• The Girl Who Knew Too Much1969 · as Revel Drue
• The Wrecking Crew1968 · as Wen Yu-Rang
• Cocoon1968 · as Rosemary Quong
• Nobody's Perfect1968 · as Nurse Tomiko Momyama
• The Corrupt Ones1967 · as Tina
• Arrivederci, Baby!1966 · as Baby
• Lt. Robin Crusoe U.S.N.1966 · as Wednesday
• The Magic Stone1966 · as Mei Ching
• The Wild Affair1965 · as Marjorie Lee
• Fate Is the Hunter1964 · as Sally Fraser
• Honeymoon Hotel1964 · as Lynn Hope
• Tamahine1963 · as Tamahine
• The Main Attraction1962 · as Tessa
• Flower Drum Song1961 · as Linda Low
• The World of Suzie Wong1960 · as Suzie Wong

All TV Shows (14)

• The Daily Show1996 · as Self
• ER1994 · as Mrs. Chen
• Noble House1988 · as Claudia Chen
• Partners in Crime1984
• The A-Team1983 · as Lin Wu
• Knots Landing1979 · as Beverly Mikuriya
• Fantasy Island1978 · as Adela
• Kung Fu1972 · as Mayli Ho
• V.I.P. Schaukel1971 · as Self
• Hadleigh1969 · as Kai Yin
• Hawaii Five-O1968 · as Rosemary Quong
• The Bob Hope Show1950 · as Self
• What's My Line?1950 · as Self - Mystery Guest
• Golden Globe Awards1944 · as Self - Nominee