Barbara Jean Wong

Known For: Acting

Biography

Barbara Jean Wong was a fourth generation Chinese-American born to produce market owners Thomas and Maye Wong on March 3, 1924. She began her performance career at the age of five and was soon dubbed the Chinese-American Shirley Temple due to her long black hair curled into ringlets and her charming persona. She attended the University of Southern California (USC) and Columbia University to earn degrees in drama and English. After college, she branched into films and worked in 20 films including "The Good Earth", "The Man from Button Willow", "Love is a Many Splendored Thing", and many Charlie Chan films. When Barbara Jean was married, she retired from acting and earned her teaching credential from Cal State Los Angeles to begin serving her community as a teacher. She was very active in civic organizations throughout her life and died of respiratory illness on November 13, 1999.

Filmography

1965

The Man from Button Willow as Stormy (voice)

1954

The Lone Wolf as Rose Kai

1949

Chinatown at Midnight as Betty Chang

1946

The Trap as San Toy
Calcutta as Mrs. Smith's Manicurist (uncredited)
That Brennan Girl as Nightclub Singer (uncredited)

1945

The Red Dragon as Iris Ling (as Jean Wong)

1943

China as Nan Ti
Behind the Rising Sun as Chinese Girl Given Opium