Some people fight long battles, that may not end even in their lifetimes. But still, they go on with what they stand for and believe in. The legendary Hollywood star Anna May Wong was such a figure. She became a memorable icon in the movie industry even when faced with discrimination and underpayment.
The actress was an effortless fighter, proving her worth by bettering herself. She moved from the US to Europe later, in order to find better acting opportunities. And she did gain better roles in English, German and French films. Her career was not limited to movies, but she was also a persistent presence on the television screen and the stage. Here’s all you need to know about the first Asian-American to appear in US Currency.
Read More: How Much Do Nobel Prize Winners Receive? Where Does The Money Come From?
Hollywood’s First Asian American Movie Star
Wong is recognized as Hollywood’s first Asian American movie star, who acted in about 60 films over her decade-long career. The actress fought for greater representation of Asian people in Hollywood and challenged the stereotypical representations, at a time when “yellowface” dominated the industry and the Chinese Exclusion Act was still a law.
“Why is it that the screen Chinese is nearly always the villain of the piece, and so cruel a villain – murderous, treacherous, a snake in the grass,” Wong said in a 1933 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “We are not like that.” The artist began acting at the age of 14 and landed her first leading role in three years’ time. She often got racist and underpaid jobs.
Though one of the most beautiful in the industry, she never got to play any romantic lead roles. This was because kissing on screen was prohibited between different races. After moving to Europe, she became the first Asian American to be cast as the lead in a television show, ‘The Gallery of Madame Lui-Tsong‘.
Anna May Wong Will Appear On US Currency
It has been decided that starting Monday, Wong’s image will be appearing imprinted on quarters across the country. The director of US Mint, Ventris Ginson described the actress as “a courageous advocate who championed for increased representation and more multi-dimensional roles for Asian American actors”. In 1960, the actress was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
This is the fifth coin that is being designed under the American Quarters Program, which highlights female pioneers on coins: previously the designs imprinted were of astronaut Sally Ride, activist, and poet Maya Angelou, the first woman chief of Cherokee Nation Wilma Mankiller, and the suffragist Nina Otero-Warren.
Read More: How Much Money Did Johnny Depp Spend On The Nude Painting Of Pregnant Kate Middleton?
