James Hong recalls producer telling him 'Asians were not good enough' in SAG Awards speech

Actor James Hong won an award at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night. His impassioned acceptance speech focused on advancing Asian representation in Hollywood.

Veteran actor’s ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ co-star Michelle Yeoh introduced the performer by stating that the 94-year-old had been acting ‘since there were only 49 states,’ and it took nearly seven decades of work to get him to the SAG Awards stage.

As Hong accepted his trophy for Cast in a Motion Picture, he said ‘I got my first SAG card 70 years ago. My first movie was with Clark Gable. Back in those days, I have to tell you this, the leading roles were played by these guys with their eyes taped up. And the producer said that Asians were not good enough, and they are not box office. But, look at us now, huh?’

Hong then joked that Jamie Lee Curtis, who won the Female Actor in a Supporting Role award, was a welcome addition to the project's cast. ‘We're not all Chinese. But, 'Jamie Lee' is a good Chinese name,’ he said.

Concluding his speech, he expressed hope that he'll return to the SAG Awards after he turns 100.

James Hong starred as Gong Gong, the father to Yeoh's Evelyn, in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.

Michelle Yeoh, in her SAG Awards acceptance speech for Female Actor in a Leading Role, said that she hoped her performance would stand as an inspiration to Asian women. ‘I think if I speak, my heart will explode. SAG-AFTRA, to get this from you, who understand what it is to get here, every one of you know the journey, the roller coaster ride, the ups and downs, but, most important, we never give up," she said, later adding: "This is not just for me; this is for every little girl that looks like me.... Thank you for giving me a seat at the table because so many of us need this. We want to be seen, we want to be heard, and tonight you've shown us that it is possible, and I'm grateful. And my mom will be eternally grateful to you!,’ she said.

The 2023 SAG Awards ceremony aired live on Netflix's YouTube Channel from the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

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