Unapologetic, relentless, and fearless, Anna May Wong was a woman who lived a storied life. She experienced countless setbacks and frustrating incidents while navigating Hollywood as an Asian American. Through her talent and perseverance, Wong fought her way to international fame and recognition.
Anna May Wong was born as Wong Liu Tsong on January 3, 1905 in Los Angeles to Chinese American parents. Growing up, Wong and her siblings faced racial discrimination at school. She found an escape through theater. From a young age, Wong would ofen ditch class to watch local film sets, which inspired her to begin acting. At just 14 years old, Wong landed her first role as an extra in The Red Lantern.
Anna May Wong’s road to Hollywood success was not an easy one. She was left to play offensive, stereotypical, and often sensualized Asian female roles: butterflies– submissive, exocitized characters, or Dragon Ladies– villainous, fierce, and promiscuous roles. Additionally, at the time there were anti-miscegenation laws–laws that censored interracial marriages or affairs in real life and on screen–enacted that barred Wong from starring in most romantic movies. Instead, lead roles were given to white actresses who wore yellowface. Fed up with the unfair treatment she received, Wong left America to become an actress in Europe for several years in hopes of finding greater success there.
The most notable and devastating instance of Wong’s career was when she was denied the main lead role for the 1937 film adaptation of The Good Earth. Wong auditioned yet lost the part to Luise Rainier, a white actress who used yellowface. Rainier would later go on to win an Oscar for the role.
After The Good Earth, Wong struggled to get back on her feet. Even so, Hollywood failed to knock her down completely. She toured China for a year and later became the first Asian American actress to lead a TV show. Wong lived a tumultuous few years until dying of a heart attack at age 56.
While all of the odds were stacked against her, Anna May Wong found a way to break through all of the barriers to become the first Asian American movie star. Despite the hardships she endured, Wong managed to land significant roles in famous films and prove herself a worthy actress. Wong’s ability to survive and make a name for herself in a brutally misogynistic, racist industry and business is a testament to her tenacity and determination. Wong has gone down in history as one of the most influential and accomplished Asian Hollywood actresses to date.