Kim Chan

• Name — Kim Chan • Other Names — Kim S. Chan • Birth Name — Chan Kim Shung • Born — December 28, 1917 • Birthplace — Shanghai, Republic of China • Died — 5 October 2008 • Place of death — New York City, United States • Years Active — 1951–2007

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 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 as menial jobs in construction, restaurants, and laundries during this time.

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 thru 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.

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

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.

Kim Chan television credits • 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 — Law & Order — 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"