Kim Chan (born Kim Shung Chan; ; December 28, 1917 – October 5, 2008) was a Chinese and American actor and producer. He was most notable for his roles as Lo Si, also known as The Ancient, in Kung Fu: The Legend Continues and Mr. Kim in The Fifth Element.

Early life and education Kim Shung Chan was born in Shanghai, to a family originally from Taishan, Guangdong. Together with his father and two sisters, Chan immigrated to the United States in 1928, first living in Rhode Island, before settling in the Bronx in New York City in 1938. Chan worked as a maître d'hôtel at the House of Chan family restaurant in Manhattan. Having held a life-long fascination with the film industry, he left this position in the 1940s to pursue an acting career, which led to his father cutting off ties with him. Although Chan was happy with the higher wages for work as an extra, he had frequent financial difficulties and was homeless for two years, often living in Central Park. He primarily worked menial jobs in construction, restaurants and laundries, during this time.

Career Chan was a familiar character actor, especially when he was elderly. An early role that brought him notice was in the Martin Scorsese film The King of Comedy with Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis, in which he played Lewis' butler.

He played the character Lo Si, also known as The Ancient, in 52 episodes of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, from 1993 through 1997. He also played the villainous monk Ping Hai on the TV series. The series was a revised version of the original 1973 classic Kung Fu, with both series starring David Carradine. He played the recurring villain The Eggman in four episodes of the science fiction TV series Now and Again. He appeared in many guest roles in series, including: Mad About You (1998), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2002) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2004).

Other film roles include: uncle Benny Chan in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), the father of Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) in Shanghai Knights (2003), Mr. Kim in The Fifth Element (1997), Fuji in Who's the Man? (1993), Benny Wong in The Corruptor (1999), The Master in Zen Noir (2004), and a cameo appearance as a waiter in Private Parts (1997). He was also a producer on Zen Noir.

Chan retired from acting in 2007, subsequently moving from his long-time residence in the Bronx to an assisted living facility in Brooklyn.

Personal life Chan never married, but had romantic relationships with non-Chinese women. He had no biological children, but had an adoptive son, Michael Chandler.

Death Chan died on October 5, 2008, after being hospitalized for respiratory disease. His age at death is most commonly reported as 90, although he had reportedly told Linda Wang that he was 93, shortly before he died. His niece, Judy Gee, also claimed that he was likely 93 or 94 years old.

He was featured in a photography exhibit when he was in his 90s. In October 2009, a year after his death, Chan appeared on the cover of the journal The Gerontologist beside his photography portrait.

Honors and awards In November 1999, the Screen Actors Guild presented Chan with an award for lifetime achievement. He received another award for lifetime achievement in August 2004, at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

Filmography

Film

+ Year Title Role Notes 1957 A Face in the Crowd Commercial Spokesperson No Dialogue / Uncredited 1970 The Owl and the Pussycat Theatre Cashier 1979 Squadra antigangsters Chan Chu Kai Uncredited 1982 Soup for One Harold The Cook 1983 The King of Comedy Jonno 1984 Over the Brooklyn Bridge Japanese Buyer #2 Moscow on the Hudson Chinese Customer The Cotton Club Ling 1985 Desperately Seeking Susan Park Bum Streetwalkin' Desk Clerk 1986 9½ Weeks Chinatown Butcher Gung Ho Member of Board Jumpin' Jack Flash Korean Flower Vendor No Mercy Old Asian Man 1987 Fatal Attraction Party Guest Uncredited 1989 Cookie Hong Kong Tailor Second Sight Chinese Store Owner 1990 Cadillac Man Dim Sum Cook Alice Dr. Yang's Patient 1991 Thousand Pieces of Gold Li Ping American Shaolin Master Kwan 1993 Who's the Man? Fuji 1994 Robot in the Family Massage Parlor Patron #1 1996 Breathing Room Meditation Teacher 1997 Private Parts Waiter The Fifth Element Mr. Kim The Devil's Advocate Chinese Man Kundun Second Chinese General 1998 Lethal Weapon 4 Benny 'Uncle Benny' Chan 1999 A Fish in the Bathtub Medicine Shop Owner The Corruptor Benny 'Uncle Benny' Wong On the Q.T. Asian Busker 2002 High Times' Potluck Saki Rollerball Uncredited 2003 Shanghai Knights Chon Wang's Father 2004 Zen Noir The Master 2005 The Honeymooners Quinn 2006 16 Blocks Sam

Television

+ Year Title Role Notes 1985 The Equalizer Man Sitting on Steps (uncredited) Episode: "China Rain" 1986 Outlaws Mr. Luk 1990 Law & Order Juror (uncredited) Episode: "Indifference" 1991 Restaurant Manager Episode: "Heaven" 1993–1997 Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Lo Si (The Ancient) / Ping Hai 54 episodes 1999–2000 Now and Again The Eggman 4 episodes 2002 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Mr. Hsu Episode: "Chinoiserie" 2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mr. Zhang Episode: "Debt"

References

External links

Kim Chan's obituary