James Hong left fans speechless when he delivered a powerful acceptance speech after his film, Everything Everywhere All at Once, won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
When Michelle Yeoh introduced her co-star, who noted that he had been acting “since there were only 49 states” and had just turned 94, the Kung Fu actor received a standing ovation.
“It has been 69 years of preparation to take it to this stage. Our patriarch, our friend, our Gong-Gong, James Hong! the Malaysian actress, 60, gushed as she stepped up to the microphone.
She began her speech by sweetly recalling that she got her “SAG card 70 years ago” and that her “first movie was with Clark Gable.”
Man of the moment: James Hong wowed fans when he delivered a powerful acceptance speech after his film, Everything Everywhere All at Once, won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Still, he reminded viewers that ‘in those days’ the ‘main role was played by [white] blindfolded guys… because the producers said Asians weren’t good enough.’
‘And they weren’t box office. But look at us now! the Blade Runner marveled, prompting the audience to roar in applause.
Hong then proceeded to joke about how Jamie Lee had “a good Asian name.”
Social media users took to Twitter to praise Hong for ‘roasting up Hollywood’ and being ‘loose, fun, unhurried’ and ‘unholy’ as ‘no orchestra threatens to play him’.
Many also praised him for beginning his speech in Cantonese.
‘I am very happy that James Hong was able to give a speech. He has had such a long career and has appeared in many of our favorite movies, but because of Hollywood’s shitty history with Asian Americans, we haven’t gotten to know him. I feel like I know him better now,’ another tweeted.
Earlier in the evening, Yeoh made history as the first Asian woman to win Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
“I think if I speak my heart will explode,” she said as she accepted her trophy. ‘SAG-AFTRA, to get this from you, who understands what it’s like to get here. Each of you knows the ride, the roller coaster ride, the ups and downs. But most importantly, we never give up. I apreciate it.’
About time: When Michelle Yeoh introduced her co-star, who noted that he had been acting “since there were only 49 states” and had just turned 94, the Kung Fu actor received a standing ovation.
“It has been 69 years of preparation to take it to this stage. Our patriarch, our friend, our Gong-Gong, James Hong! the Malaysian actress, 60, gushed as she stepped up to the microphone.
Hilarious: He began his speech by sweetly recalling that he got his ‘SAG card 70 years ago’ and that his ‘first movie was with Clark Gable’
She continued: “I thank you for your love, your support, because I know that I am facing titans.”
‘Thank you thank you thank you. This isn’t just for me, it’s for all the girls who look like me,” added the Crazy Rich Asians actress.
Ke Huy Quan became the first Asian man to win the best supporting actor award in the film category.
He thanked Yeoh during his speech, saying he was “so glad when we both started our careers in 1984” and met “on the big screen.”
Quan then told other actors who are “fighting to be seen” to “move on.”
“Because the spotlight will one day find you,” he concluded.
Speaking: Still, he reminded viewers that ‘in those days’ the ‘main role was played by [white] blindfolded guys… because the producers said Asians weren’t good enough’
‘And they weren’t box office. But look at us now! the Blade Runner marveled, causing the audience to roar in applause
In January, Yeoh made history as the first Asian to be nominated in the Best Actress category at the Academy Awards.
‘I think what it means to me is that all those Asians are saying, ‘You see, it’s possible. If she can do it, I can do it too. That’s the most important thing,” he said. Deadline following the news.
She continued: ‘I’m very ordinary. I just work really hard. There are so many brilliant actresses, actors who know they have a seat at the table.’
The Shang-Chi star went on to encourage others to “find an opportunity and get there.”
Earning praise: Social media users took to Twitter to praise Hong for ‘roasting up Hollywood’ and being ‘loose, funny, unhurried’ and ‘profane’ as ‘no orchestra threatens to play him’
‘I am very happy that James Hong was able to give a speech. He has had such a long career and has appeared in many of our favorite movies, but because of Hollywood’s shitty history with Asian Americans, we haven’t gotten to know him. I feel like I know him better now,’ another tweeted.
Powerful: Many also praised him for beginning his speech in Cantonese
Strike a chord with America: James Hong’s speech was also described as “the most real ever”
“Was tonight’s SAG Awards perhaps the best awards show of the last decade?” another Twitter user asked
Beautiful: Another said it was ‘amazing to see James Hong honored in this way by his co-stars’
In December, Yeoh said victory would go to “the entire Asian community.”
Yeoh went on to reflect on his peers, many of them white actresses, who are consistently recognized for their talents.
“I look at all my peers, Cate Blanchett, Olivia Colman, Helen Mirren, and I’m like, oh gosh, I envy all the different opportunities you get to showcase your talent over and over again,” Yeoh said.
‘When you have an opportunity like this, you have to put your heart and soul into it, because you don’t know when the next opportunity is. I think that’s my biggest fear: please don’t let this be the only one,” Yeoh admitted.
Stunning: Earlier in the evening, Yeoh made history as the first Asian woman to win Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Everything Everywhere All at Once
‘I think what it means to me is that all those Asians are saying, ‘You see, it’s possible. If she can do it, I can do it too. That’s the most important thing,’ she told Deadline after the news broke.
When asked about the prospect of making history at the Oscars, he explained what it would represent.
It’s not about needing it. It’s that feeling you don’t have to explain: it’s love from other people. My arms are open,” she said.
Yeoh is still quite busy filming Avatar 3, the new TV series The Witcher: Blood Origin, and Transformers: Rise of the Beast.
His previous credits include a wide range of films such as martial arts action projects (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), James Bond thrillers (Tomorrow Never Dies) and superhero movies (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2).