Wong Liu-tsong
Known professionally as Anna May Wong, Wong Lui-tsong (1905-1961) was the first Chinese-American Hollywood star. An international fashion and film star, her work as an icon perseveres.
Wong was born in Los Angeles to second-generation Chinese-American immigrants. She was immediately interested in films, and would often miss school to watch them. From age 9, she would beg filmmakers to give her roles.
At 14, she began working as an extra and dropped out of highschool in 1921 to pursue a full-time acting career. Her first starring role in The Toll of the Sea (1922) was met with widespread critical praise. However, the racism of the time often relegated her to supporting, stereotyping roles even when she was a household name. This was largely due to anti-miscegenation laws, which meant she could not be cast opposite non-Asian men.
Wong's film career continued to grow. Her career spanned silent and sound films, America and Europe, stage, and television. She continued acting until her death, finishing with her TV show The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong, the first U.S. TV show with an Asian American lead, ever.
Now, we may look back on her career and be taken aback by her stereotypically demure "Butterfly" roles and her stereotypically sexual "Dragon Lady" roles, as well as her willingness to play the roles of (caricaturistic) Native American and Inuit characters. However, her dedication to playing and creating roles for Chinese actors was absolutely unheard of in her own time.
Wong will appear on the reverse of the quarter (USA currency). She will be the first Asian American to appear on US currency.
