Sammee Tong

Born: 1901-04-21

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sammee Tong (April 21, 1901 – October 27, 1964) was an American film and television character actor. One of Tong's more notable roles was that of Peter Tong on the sitcom Bachelor Father, which aired on all three national networks from 1957 to 1962. Tong signed with Columbia Pictures, and in 1934, he made his film debut in a bit part in the comedy film The Captain Hates the Sea. In 1939 he returned to his home town as director of entertainment at the Chinese Village of San Francisco's World's Fair, and began the first Chinese radio hour on KSAN. Throughout the 1940s, he had small, usually uncredited, roles in films. He returned to Hollywood in the early 1950s and took roles on television. Tong made his television debut in 1953 in an episode of You Are There. The following year, he appeared in a recurring role as "George, the cook" in a series of television shorts which aired during The Mickey Mouse Club entitled The Adventures of Spin and Marty. In 1955, he reprised his role as George in the feature-length film Spin and Marty: The Movie. He also had a role in the sequel series The Further Adventures of Spin and Marty. In 1957, he landed a co-starring role in the sitcom Bachelor Father, starring John Forsythe and Noreen Corcoran. In the series, Tong portrayed "Peter Tong", Bentley Gregg's (Forsythe) live-in houseboy and valet. Although he was playing a servant, Tong enjoyed the role stating, "Houseboys in movies and the theater always bow low, mutter a few sing song words and disappear, but not on this show. I get dialogue and laughs." In his Bachelor Father role, Tong was not subservient and at one point walked out because he was not paid enough. He spoke with an accent even though the actor was born in the U.S., making it hard to judge how he spoke in real life. After Bachelor Father's cancellation in 1962, Tong was cast as Sammy Ling in the ABC sitcom Mickey, starring Mickey Rooney. Due to low ratings, ABC was considering canceling Mickey. The network was hesitant to cancel the series due to the popularity of Tong's character who had a solid fanbase thanks to his role in Bachelor Father. Tong's death effectively ended any chance for the series' survival and ABC canceled Mickey in December 1964. His final screen appearance was as "Cook" in the 1965 film Fluffy, starring Tony Randall and Shirley Jones. The film was released after Tong's death. In October 1964, Tong committed suicide at the age of 63. At the time of his death, he was appearing in a supporting role on the ABC sitcom, Mickey, starring Mickey Rooney.


Placeholder

Godzilla, King of the Monsters!

as Dr. Yamane / Dr. Tabata (voice) (uncredited)
Released: 1956-05-18

During an assignment, foreign correspondent Steve Martin spends a layover in Tokyo and is caught...

Movie page

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

as Laundryman
Released: 1963-11-07

A group of strangers come across a man dying after a car crash who proceeds to tell them about...

Movie page

Woman on the Run

as Witness to Suzie's Fall (uncredited)
Released: 1950-11-10

Frank Johnson, a sole witness to a gangland murder, goes into hiding and is trailed by Police...

Movie page

Only Angels Have Wings

as Sam the Cook
Released: 1939-05-15

A traveling performer arrives at a remote South American port town where the head of an air...

Movie page

For Those Who Think Young

as Clyde
Released: 1964-06-01

A wealthy young man tries to woo a university student, while her two uncles work to popularize a...

Movie page

Love Before Breakfast

as Steward (uncredited)
Released: 1936-03-09

Scott is a very rich businessman who hangs out with a snooty, silly Countess, but has the hots...

Movie page

China

as Aide to Japanese General
Released: 1943-04-21

Shortly before Pearl Harbor, American opportunist Jones and partner Johnny are in China to sell...

Movie page

The Midnight Story

as Restaurant Proprietor (uncredited)
Released: 1957-06-04

Beloved priest Father Thomasino is murdered in a San Francisco alley, and the police have few...

Movie page

Youth on Parole

as Chinese Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
Released: 1937-10-04

Two strangers, a man and a woman, are framed for a jewel robbery and thrown in jail. After they...

Movie page

God Is My Co-Pilot

as Chinese Civilian (uncredited)
Released: 1945-04-07

Robert L. Scott has dreamed his whole life of being a fighter pilot, but when war comes he finds...

Movie page

The Accusing Finger

as Chinese-American Convict
Released: 1936-11-17

A proud, pro-capital punishment district attorney with a 90% execution rate, finds himself...

Movie page

Hell Bound

as Murdered Seaman (uncredited)
Released: 1957-10-01

After WW2, a Los Angeles crime ring uses a complex scheme, involving a freight ship, a junkie,...

Movie page

Suicide Battalion

as Papa Lily
Released: 1958-02-28

Second World War drama, set in the Philippines about a group of men recruited for the dangerous...

Movie page

Matinee Theater

as uncredited
First aired: 1955-10-31

Matinee Theater is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of...

TV Show page

Hawaiian Eye

as uncredited
First aired: 1959-10-07

Private Eyes Tom Lopaka and Tracy Steele are based out of Hawaiian Village Resort where they...

TV Show page

Telephone Time

as uncredited
First aired: 1956-04-08

Telephone Time is an American anthology drama series that aired on CBS in 1956, and on ABC from...

TV Show page

Bachelor Father

as Peter Tong
First aired: 1957-09-15

Bachelor Father is an American sitcom starring John Forsythe, Noreen Corcoran, and Sammee Tong....

TV Show page

The Man Called X

as uncredited
First aired: 1956-01-27

TV Show page

Mickey

as uncredited
First aired: 1964-09-16

Mickey is an American situation comedy that aired on ABC from September 1964 to January 1965....

TV Show page

General Electric Theater

as Peter Tong
First aired: 1953-02-01

General Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was...

TV Show page