Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian
Photograph was edited for publication purposes. Philip Ahn was born Pil Lip Ahn on March 29, 1905 in Highland Park, California. He was the first Korean American film actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ahn appeared in numerous films and television shows in a career spanning 43 years. He is best known for his television role as Master Kan on the television series Kung Fu. His father was Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, an activist, leader of the Korean resistance movements (1905-1945) and a leader in the Korean-American community. His brother Philson was also and actor and his sister, Susan Ahn Cuddy, was the first Asian-American woman to join the U.S. Navy. Ahn opened a Chinese restaurant with his sister, Soorah, called Phil Ahn's Moongate Restaurant at 8632 Van Nuys Boulevard, in the 1950s. It was one of the first Chinese restaurants in Panorama City and operated for more than thirty years before closing. Ahn died on February 28, 1978. Photograph caption dated November 27, 1961 reads "Veteran Oriental character actor and Valley restaurateur Philip Ahn gagged up this shot on the 'Confessions of an Opium Eater' set at Allied Artists. His pretending not to be able to decipher the Chinese characters on the sign (he SAID he was pretending) reminded us of the time Valley Times TODAY photographer Gordon Dean stopped at his Chinese laundry and heard recorded Chinese music and lyrics coming from the back of the shop. 'At last!' he said, 'Chinese who understand Chinese!' But a thirtyish Chinaman replied 'Are you kidding? We haven't learned the language yet but it does create a beautiful atmosphere, doesn't it?' Ah so."
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Ahn, Philip,--1905-1978 Cuddy, Susan Ahn,--1915--Family An, Ch'ang-ho,--1878-1938--Family Allied Artists Pictures Corporation Men--California--San Fernando Valley Motion picture actors and actresses--United States Television actors and actresses--United States Restaurateurs--California--San Fernando Valley Chinese characters--California--San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley (Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs
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