Irene Yah-Ling Sun (born September 1, 1946) is an American actor. She is best known for her appearance as judoka Myrna Wong in the 1978 film Harper Valley PTA. She attained the status of a regular cast member in the short-lived television series Khan! (1975), where she played the role of Anna, the daughter of the main character. Additionally, she made cameo appearances in well-known television shows such as Hawaii Five-O, The Rockford Files, and Quincy, M.E.[1]

Early life

Sun was born on September 1, 1946, in Shanghai, China and raised in Taiwan; her family later moved to Manhattan, where she studied ballet.[2]

Career

Sun made her stage debut as a dancer in Flower Drum Song, followed by The World of Suzie Wong.[2]

Sun was a series regular in the short-lived Khan! (1975), as Anna, the daughter of the titular character (played by Khigh Dhiegh), helping her father solve crimes alongside her brother Kim (played by Evan C. Kim).[3] Other television guest spots include appearances in Hawaii Five-O, The Rockford Files, and Quincy, M.E.

"Chinese Must Go" cap pistol, c.1879–1890; Yoshio Kishi / Irene Yah Ling Sun Collection, Fales Library, New York University

She also helped assemble an extensive collection of memorabilia depicting how Asian Americans have been portrayed in popular culture along with her friend, the film editor, writer, and book dealer Yoshio Kishi. The collection was acquired by the Asian/Pacific/American Studies Program and Institute of New York University in 2003,[4] and a portion was exhibited in 2005 as "Archivist of the 'Yellow Peril'",[5] at NYU (Feb 3 – Jul 31)[6] and MoCA (Aug 16 – Dec 31).[7]

In 2017, Sun appeared in a nonspeaking role (as "Grandma") in a short public service spot commissioned by DDB San Francisco for Energy Upgrade California, directed by Bradley G Munkowitz (GMUNK).[8][9]

Personal life

She is an accomplished chef, specializing in Chinese dishes.[2]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1976 The Quest China Television movie/pilot episode for the subsequent television series
1978 The Courage and the Passion Tuyet Berkle Television movie
Harper Valley PTA Myrna Wong Credited as Irene Yah Ling Sun
1983 Inspector Perez Lisa Soong Television movie
Savage in the Orient Tap Lee Television movie
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1963 Armstrong Circle Theatre Chan Po Lin/Poh Lin Episode: "The Journey of Poh Lin"
The Doctors Nurse Lee Chan Episode: "So Far from Home"
1966 Preview Tonight Zooney Episode: "The Cliff Dwellers"
1975 Khan! Anna Khan 4 episodes
1976 Police Woman Princess Hanako Episode: "The Trick Book"
The Quest China Episode: "Welcome to America, Jade Snow"
Hawaii Five-O Lee Mei Liu Episode: "Yes, My Deadly Daughter"
Most Wanted Ngo Luc Liu Episode: "The Ten-Percenter"
1977 The Rockford Files Pham Vam Mai Episode: "New Life, Old Dragons"
Quincy, M.E. Takayo Kamura Episode: "Touch of Death"
1978 Hawaii Five-O Marla Kahuana Episode: "Deadly Courier"
The Incredible Hulk May Chuan Episode: "Another Path"
1980 Hawaii Five-O Nadira Episode: "The Golden Noose"
Love of Life Kim Soo Ling
1981 The Incredible Hulk Tam Episode: "East Winds"
Magnum, P.I. Mitsu McWilliams Episode: "The Taking of Dick Williams"
1982 Magnum, P.I. Marissa, the Singer Episode: "Flashback"
1983 Family Ties Tanly Nguyen Episode: "I Gotta Be Ming"
1984 Airwolf Nhi Houng Episode: "Daddy's Gone a Hunt'n"
Call to Glory Dieu Quang Episode: "Go/No Go"
1986 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Tranh Sen Episode: "The Man Who Died Twice"
1991 The New Adam-12 Mrs. Lee Episode: "Trick-or-Treat"
MacGyver Loretta Fielding Episode: "The Coltons"
Secret Bodyguard Aunt Edith Episode: "Secret Bodyguard"
1997 Sunset Beach Mrs. Chang 8 episodes
2004 The Stones Joan Episode: "Pilot"

References

  1. ^ "Irene Yah-Ling Sun: Biography, Age, Height, Facts, Trivia, Birthday, Photos,, Family". FilmiFeed. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Scott, Vernon (March 21, 1975). "Profile: 'Khan' costar thick in Asian charm". Denton Record-Chronicle. UPI. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  3. ^ Scott, Vernon (February 23, 1975). "Khigh Dhiegh: Charlie Chan's Successor?". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Yoshio Kishi and Irene Yah Ling Sun Collection". Asian/Pacific/American Studies Program and Institute, New York University. August 25, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  5. ^ Hartocollis, Anemona (May 1, 2005). "In a West Side Apartment, a World". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "Archivist of the 'Yellow Peril' (February 3 – July 31, 2005)". Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU. May 15, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  7. ^ ""Yellow Peril", 2005". Museum of Chinese in America. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "Energy Upgrade California". GMUNK. April 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  9. ^ Energy Upgrade California – GMunk on Vimeo

External links

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