Dennis Gong Dun (born April 19, 1952) is an American stage and screen actor.
Early life and education Of Chinese Jamaican descent, Dun was born in Stockton, California. He trained in martial arts and Chinese opera growing up. He originally studied marketing in college, before developing an interest in acting.
Career
Theatre Dun began acting at the Asian American Theater Company in San Francisco, California. He has appeared onstage at East West Players, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and Lodestone Theatre Ensemble. For his performance in Chay Yew's A Language of Their Own at the Celebration Theatre, he won an LA Weekly Theater Award for Ensemble Performance (shared with Noel Alumit, Anthony David and Chris Tashima). He has participated in both the film and theatre labs at the Sundance Institute.
Dun wrote and performed the one-man show Giant Oranges, commissioned by the Mark Taper Forum and produced by Chay Yew's Solo Works Festival in Los Angeles.
Film and television Dun made his film debut in Michael Cimino's crime drama Year of the Dragon (1985). He was cast to play the co-lead role, Wang Chi, in John Carpenter's cult classic film Big Trouble in Little China (1986). He played Puyi's valet Big Li in the historical epic The Last Emperor (1987), which won nine Oscars including Best Picture.
Dun has also had prominent roles in Carpenter's Prince of Darkness (1987), Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive (1989), Thousand Pieces of Gold (1991), and Warriors of Virtue (1997).
In addition, he has appeared in independent Asian American projects such as My American Vacation (1999) and My Life Disoriented (2006).
For three seasons he was a regular cast member on the NBC television series Midnight Caller (1988–1991).
Filmography
Film + Year Title Role Notes1985 Year of the Dragon Herbert Kwong1986 Big Trouble in Little China Wang Chi1987 The Last Emperor Big Li Prince of Darkness Walter1989 Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive Narrator1991 Thousand Pieces of GoldJim1992 The Kiss The Kiss Man Short1995 Venus Rising Eddie1996 Up Close & Personal Satellite Van Technician Good Luck Chang1997 Warriors of Virtue Ming Dog Watch Lee1999 Journey from the Heart Henry Pros & Cons Head of the tuxedo gang2002 Safe Journey Man Short A Ribbon of Dreams Pai-Woo (voice)2018Something HorribleRandolph Carter2024EndlingRichard ChenShort
Television + Year Title Role Notes1984 Partners in Crime Jimmy's Pal Episode: "Duke"1988 Beauty and the Beast Henry Pei Episode: "China Moon"1988-91 Midnight Caller Billy Po 61 episodes1995 Grace Under Fire Walter Episode: "No Money Down"1998 The Nanny Doctor Fu Episode: "Making Whoopi"2001 CharmedMr. Chang Episode: "Wrestling with Demons" JAG Capt. Jarot 2 episodes2002 The Bernie Mac Show DoctorEpisode: "The Sweet Life"2004 All Grown Up! Japanese Airline Rep/Hawaiian Airline Rep Episode: "The Finster Who Stole Christmas"2006 Independent Lens Johnny FungEpisode: "My Life..Disoriented" 2012 Luck Leo Chan 4 Episodes
References
External links
Dennis Dun bio on www.mylifedisoriented.com Dennis Dun at AboutTheArtists