Chao Li Chi
Born: 1927-04-05 in Shanxi Province, China
Died: 2010-10-16
Known For: Acting
Biography
Chao-Li Chi (冀朝理; 5 April 1927, Shanxi Province, China – 16 October 2010, Granada Hills, California) was a Chinese-American actor and dancer, one of the first native Chinese actors to break into Hollywood. He fled China at age 12 during the Second Sino-Japanese War, became an accomplished dancer who toured with Maya Deren, and studied acting through Pearl S. Buck's East-and-West Association. He was best known for his 227-episode run as Chao-Li on Falcon Crest (1981–1990). His film credits include Big Trouble in Little China (1986), The Joy Luck Club (1993), Blood Work (2002), and The Prestige (2006, his final film). On television he also appeared in M*A*S*H, Barney Miller, NYPD Blue, and Pushing Daisies. He was also a philosopher and teacher who promoted Taoist philosophy and Tai Chi in the U.S. He died peacefully in his sleep at age 83. No major awards are on record.
Filmography
2007
- Pushing Daisies as Hua Jaing
2006
- The Prestige as Chung Ling Soo
- American Dreamz as Chinese Premiere
2005
- Wedding Crashers as Old Chinese Man
2002
- Blood Work as Mr. Kang
- The Master of Disguise as Mongolian
- In the Mirror of Maya Deren as Himself
2001
- Extreme Days as Grandpa G
2000
- The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood as Chinese Man
- What's Cooking? as Grandpa Nguyen
- Now Chinatown as Mr. Quong
1999
- Providence as Tao
1998
- Martial Law as Timothy Chang
1997
- Warriors of Virtue as Master Chung
- Still Breathing as Formosa Bartender
1996
- The Nutty Professor as Asian Man
1995
- The Single Guy as Mr. Pao
1994
- Party of Five as Ling
1993
- Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story as Elder
- The Joy Luck Club as Canning Woo
- Eye of the Stranger as Mr. Lee
1992
- Batman: The Animated Series as Yoru (voice)
1991
- Seeds of Tragedy as Dishwasher
1987
- Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour as Self
1986
- Big Trouble in Little China as Uncle Chu
1983
- The Nightingale as Gardener
- Inspector Perez as Master Fong
1982
- Faerie Tale Theatre as Gardener
1981
- Falcon Crest as Chao-Li
- Eyewitness as Mr. Long
- The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire as Astrologer
1980
- The Big Brawl as Kwan
- Damien: The Leper Priest
- First Family as Chinese Ambassador
1979
- Trapper John, M.D.
- Hello, Larry as Mr. Wong
- Bob Hope on the Road to China ... (Production Assistant)
1978
- Fantasy Island as The Elder
1976
1975
- Barney Miller as Victor Ling (as Chao-Li Chi)
- S.W.A.T.
1972
- M*A*S*H as Korean Husband
1964
- Open the Door and See all the People as Wei 3
1949
- Meditation on Violence as Himself