Jack Ong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Ong
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Jack Ong, Executive Director of The Dr. Haing S. Ngor Foundation, displays Ngor's Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for The Killing Fields and the second edition of Ngor's autobiography, Survival in the Killing Fields
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| Born | November 6, 1940 Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
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| Died | June 13, 2017 (aged 76) Castle Rock, Colorado, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor, writer, activist, marketing professional |
| Years active | 1974–2017 |
Jack Ong (November 6, 1940 – June 13, 2017) was an American actor, writer, and activist. He was also a marketing professional. Born in Arizona, he became known for his many roles in TV shows and movies. He also worked to help others through his activism.
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Jack Ong's Early Life
Jack Ong was born in Mesa, Arizona. He was the seventh of eight children. His parents were Chinese immigrants. They owned a small grocery store. This is where Jack first learned about business.
Growing up, he was part of a small minority group. He found joy in movies and the film industry. Jack studied at Arizona State University. He earned a degree in journalism. While in college, he worked as a reporter and photographer. He worked for the Mesa Daily Tribune. After college, he moved to Los Angeles.
Serving His Country
Jack Ong served in the United States Navy. He was a photojournalist during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in the Philippines. His photos and reports were published in Stars and Stripes. They were also shared by news services around the world.
Working in Marketing and Advertising
After his time in the Navy, Jack worked in advertising. He created ads for print, radio, and TV. He worked for the International Hotel in Las Vegas. There, he also helped promote famous entertainers. These included Elvis Presley and Barbra Streisand.
He also worked on campaigns for Galpin Motors. This was a very large car company. He also helped with Topanga Plaza. This was one of America's first big shopping malls.
Jack Ong's Acting Career
Jack Ong was a talented actor. He played roles in both dramas and comedies. He appeared in many popular TV shows. These include Friends, ER, and The Simpsons. He was also in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
He also acted in several movies. Some of these were Akeelah and the Bee (2005) and Godzilla 2000 (1999). His face became well-known from a 1994 TV commercial. It was for Kan-Tong Fried Rice.
Jack Ong also did a lot of voice acting. He narrated audiobooks for Time Warner. One audiobook, The Art of Profitability, won an Audie Award. Another, 100 Most Loved Poems, was nominated for a Grammy Award. He also voiced characters in many video games.
On stage, Jack performed in the musical Follies. This show was at East West Players. This is a famous Asian American theater company.
Helping Others: Ministry and Activism
Jack Ong was a licensed minister. He was a senior pastor at a church in Venice, California. He also did missionary work. He helped AIDS patients in Hollywood. He also traveled to countries like Taiwan and Cambodia.
He was the executive director of The Dr. Haing S. Ngor Foundation. He started this group in 1991. It was with the late actor Haing S. Ngor. Ngor won an Oscar for the movie The Killing Fields.
Jack was an active member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). He also belonged to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). He worked to make sure people of all backgrounds had equal chances in media. He helped form groups like the Asian American Coalition for Total Inclusion on the Networks (AACTION).
He also served on the advisory council for Born to Act Players. This group helps students with special needs. They learn and grow through performing arts.
Jack was also a member of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California. He supported many educational and community groups. These included the Chinese American Museum and East West Players. In 2013, he received a Golden Spike Award. This was for his "Excellence in Community Service."
Jack Ong's Passing
Jack Ong passed away on June 13, 2017. He died in Castle Rock, Colorado. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016.
