Anna May Wong was born January 3, 1905, in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles. Her birthname was Wong Liu Tsong, which means “Frosted Yellow Willow.” Her family gave her the English name Anna May. Wong came up with her stage name at age eleven by combining her English and Chinese names. She was the first Chinese American movie star in Hollywood and appeared in more than 60 films and gained international fame. Throughout her career, she worked in silent film, sound film, television, stage, and radio. In 1922, at age seventeen, Wong landed her first leading role in The Toll of the Sea. She went on to audition for leading roles but was pigeonholed. Under the weight of constant discrimination, she left the United States to pursue opportunities in Europe for several years. Paramount Studios convinced Wong to return to the states in the 1930s with the promise of leading roles, but it was stereotypical roles that came her way. She eventually landed one of her most famous films, Shanghai Express, and appeared in the production alongside her friend Marlene Dietrich. Wong became the first Asian American to star as the lead in a television show in the 1950s when she headlined The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong – a series about a gallery owner solving mysteries. Wong’s image is to appear on a quarter coin as part of the American Women Quarters™ Program.

This artwork will be on display at Rocky Mount Mills through March 31, 2022, but will be available for delivery after that date. Applicable sales tax will be applied to the price shown.

Unframed, Ready to hang