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Sammee Tong

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
25

Gender
Male

Birthday
April 21, 1901 (125 years old)

Place of Birth
San Francisco, California, USA

Sammee Tong

Biography

Sammee Tong (April 21, 1901 – October 27, 1964) was an American film and television character actor. He was best known for his starring role as John Forsythe's live-in houseboy/valet Peter Tong on the sitcom Bachelor Father, which aired on all three national networks from 1957 to 1962.

Tong signed with Columbia Pictures, and made his film debut in a bit part in the comedy film The Captain Hates the Sea (1934). 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 a 1953 episode of You Are There. He had a recurring role as George the cook the first two seasons of the Mickey Mouse Club serial The Adventures of Spin and Marty (1955 - 1956). 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." After Bachelor Father's cancellation in 1962, Tong was cast as Sammy Ling in the ABC sitcom Mickey (1964 - 1965), starring Mickey Rooney. Despite low ratings, Tong's character 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 its first season.

His final screen appearance was as "Cook" in the film Fluffy (1965), starring Tony Randall and Shirley Jones. The film was released after Tong's death in October 1964 from an intentional barbiturate overdose.

Known For

Acting

1964Mickeyas Sammy Ling
1964For Those Who Think Youngas Clyde
1963It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Worldas Laundryman
1959Hawaiian Eyeas
1959Bonanzaas Hop Ling
1958Suicide Battalionas Papa Lily
1957Hell Boundas Murdered Seaman (uncredited)
1957Bachelor Fatheras Peter Tong
1957The Midnight Storyas Restaurant Proprietor (uncredited)
1956Further Adventures of Spin and Martyas Sam the Cook
1956Hey, Jeannie!as Lee
1956Godzilla, King of the Monsters!as Dr. Yamane / Dr. Tabata / misc. characters (voices) (uncredited)
1956Telephone Timeas
1956The Man Called Xas
1955The Adventures of Spin and Martyas Sam the Cook
1955Matinee Theateras
1953General Electric Theateras Peter Tong
1950Woman on the Runas Witness to Suzie's Fall (uncredited)
1945God Is My Co-Pilotas Chinese Civilian (uncredited)
1943Chinaas Aide to Japanese General
1939Only Angels Have Wingsas Sam (uncredited)
1937Daughter of Shanghaias Chinese Alien in Airplane (uncredited)
1937Youth on Paroleas Chinese Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
1936The Accusing Fingeras Chinese-American Convict
1936Love Before Breakfastas Steward (uncredited)

Production