Anna May Wong ♀️

Anna May Wong (January 3, 1905 – February 3, 1961) was an American actress, considered to be the first Chinese American movie star and the first Asian American actress to gain widespread recognition. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she began appearing in silent films at the age of 17, quickly becoming a leading lady in Hollywood. Over the course of her four-decade career, she starred in over sixty films, mostly in supporting roles. Notable works include Toll of the Sea (1922) and The Thief of Bagdad (1924), in which she became the first Asian woman to act in a Hollywood feature film. She also achieved success as a stage actress, appearing in London and touring Europe in the 1920s, and making three trips to China and one to India. In addition to acting, Wong also had a successful career as an entrepreneur and model. She was a fashion icon in the 1920s, as well as the first Chinese American to publish a novel and the first to become a cosmetics spokesmodel. Although she was a trailblazer in the film industry, Wong's career was hampered by the racism of Hollywood and its refusal to cast her in lead roles related to her Chinese heritage. Still, she is fondly remembered for her pioneering accomplishments and is often cited as an early role model for other Asian American actors. In 1998, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared Anna May Wong Day in her honor. She is memorialized in the names of city parks and buildings in Los Angeles, including the historic Anna May Wong Theater. Anna May Wong is the first Asian American to appear on a US coin.