He is perhaps best known for playing Long Duk Dong in the teen film Sixteen Candles. His favorite singing spot in the city was Chinatown and his songs were often met with displeasure. Acting was an escape for him from his ever-quarrelling parents. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. . Gedde Watanabe is an American comedian and actor. Source: Picswe On screen, Watanabe is often seen as a romantic and flirty guy. While it's suggested that Dong and Sam are the same age (Ringwald was in fact 15 at the time of shooting), actor Gedde Watanabe was actually 28 during the Sixteen Candles. Photo by Steven Lam With a career in entertainment that spans more than 45 years, the proud Japanese American has done it all in the realm of film, TV, and the stage (he was in the original Broadway production of "Pacific Overtures"), all the . Becoming serious about acting, Gedde enrolled at American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) and performed . I am not surprised a lot of us end up on a similar path of this web series, gay life wasnt all flowers like is today, it was more like, me the problematic gay guy vs the world, a world full of rejection, out of any protection, lonely. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. Then I came out (thinking I would never marry or have kids). Whatever Happened To Sixteen Candles' Michael Schoeffling? Gedde Watanabe attended the American Conservatory Theatre, a non-profit theatre company in San Fransisco with an attached acting school. After graduating from high school in Utah, he would move to San Fransisco to pursue a career in acting. After graduating from high school, Watanabe moved from Odgen to San Francisco, where he hoped to make a living as a street musician while improving his histrionic skills. Whatever Happened To Donna Wilkes? Watanabe attended the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Height, Age, Boyfriend, My ethnicity works both for and against me. Gedde Watanabe does not seem to have a verified social media profile. On this week's On the Rocks, we chat with veteran actor Gedde Watanabe about his 45 years plus career that began with his debut in Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures and has included. Debbie and I keep in contact. Most recently, he featured prominently in Stephen Sondheims Assasins. Watanabe co-starred as Kuni In the 1989 movieUHF starringWeird Al Yankovic, a karate instructor and troublesome host of a TV game show called Wheel of Fish. For instance, he featured in Sixteen Candles along with Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, Anthony Michael Hall, and John Cusack which collected an impressive box office of $23.7 million on the budget of $6.5 million. Amazon.com: Not Forgotten : Simon Baker, Paz Vega, Michael DeLorenzo, Chlo Grace Moretz, Ken Davitian, Claire Forlani, Gedde Watanabe, Mark Rolston, Melinda Page . We have estimated He has eight or nine kids, I would imagine. Sadly, well never know. [Laughs.] Later, he moved to New York and took to street singing again. He found his escape in acting, having first appeared in a local . He . "Asian Americans who grew up in the second half of the 1980s complained that they were called 'Donkers' in junior and high schools," Grace Ji-Sun Kim, a researcher at Georgetown University, wrote in the book Theological Reflections on 'Gangnam Style.' Actually, hes probably been married a few times. He is an actor and director, known for Sixteen Candles (1984), UHF (1989) and Parental Guidance (2012). He had that same spirit of fun and play and really knew the value of a great line of dialogue. He never spilled the beans about his love affairs and being married, though. To add to the worries, US and Japan had a sour trade relationship during the period. During the nineties, Watanabe studied acting at Theater Theater in Hollywood, California, with Chris Aable who introduced him to fellow actors Jon Cedar and Steve Burton. So, how much is Gedde Watanabe worth at the age of 67 years old? And because it was my first movie, I thought all the movies were going to be like that. You grew up in Ogden, Utah, as one of the few Japanese families in town. Terms of Service apply. I actually felt sorry for Molly [Ringwald] and Anthony [Michael Hall], who were 15 at the time and had their parents on set with them. More from Nick, Star Trek Actor Reveals His Humiliating Experience Working With The Seinfeld Actors. I was 28 so could drive, take trips to Chicago, go out on my own. Gedde Watanabe and with his co-star from sixteen candles. As gay men, we should all understand this. In 1998, he voiced Ling in the Disney animated film Mulan and reprised this role for the 2004 direct-to-video sequel Mulan II and the 2005 video game Kingdom Hearts II. Gedde Watanabe is a Japanese-American actor popular as a voice actor for the character of Ling in animated film Mulan (1998) and its sequel Mulan II (2004). Which I guess made me the black sheep of the Asians in Ogden. If Long Duk Dong, Takahara from Gung Ho, and Nurse Yosh from ER all met, would they recognize that they all came from the same man? With 90 credits to his name on IMDB, he has had a successful career full of influential appearances. During the same year, he did voice-over for the character Ling in the Disney animated movie Mulan, which tells the story of a girl who disguises herself as a man to join the army. Actually, he's probably been married a few times. Pronunciation of Gedde watanabe with 2 audio pronunciations, 1 meaning, 1 translation, 1 sentence and more for Gedde watanabe. His other credits include Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Armageddon, and Mulan II. Career. However, Watanabe justified his role stating that he was only making people laugh. Well, how much wealth has he gathered from his acting career? Gedde Watanabe's age is 67. reply 2. In 1976, Watanabe's first role was as a member of the original Broadway cast of Pacific Overtures, originating the roles of Priest, Girl, and The Boy. For Gedde Watanabe, life began in the rural town of Ogden, UT. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. After graduation, he left Ogden to become a street singer in San Francisco. Gedde Watanabe was born Gary Watanabe in Utah, USA, on 26 June 1955 in a Japanese-American family. You just dont want a shooting experience like that to end. However, he has not made any official announcement on marital life to date. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/gedde-watanabe-46042.php, 20th Century Film & Theater Personalities, 21st Century Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century American Film & Theater Personalities, 21st Century American Film & Theater Personalities. All in the hopes of turning their disappointing lives around as they cope with faltering careers and empty bank accounts. John Madden (Football Coach): Biography, Family, Relationship, Career, and Net Worth! She wanted me for the role and said, Dont tell John. So we kept it a secret until the table read in Chicago when I took him aside and said, John, I have to tell you something He said, Wheres your accent? I was just so nervous telling him that I was afraid Id get fired and aware of my own embarrassment that Id told a huge lie. Discover Gedde Watanabe's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. She would create costumes for Weber State University, which was Watanabes introduction to theater as a child. Jason Buchanan wrote for Allmovie, "The character that Gedde Watanabe is most remembered for is Long Duk Dong, the clumsy foreign exchange student in [the 1984 film] Sixteen Candles," a role decried by some Asian-American groups as "stereotypical, racist and part of a long history of Hollywood . Gedde Watanabe remains best known as Long Duk Dong in the 1984 comedy-drama Sixteen Candles for a whole generation. Gedde Watanabe, best known for being a Movie Actor, was born in Ogden on Sunday, June 26, 1955. ASTRO will continue on as a five member K-Pop group. They sent me some of their songs about the Donger. facebook; twitter; googleplus; There's something in the moment when you can make them laugh or cry and show and incredibly compassionate side of life. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. As per some sources claim that he earns around $52 thousandper annum as a movie actor and$15 thousandto$25 thousand per episode from his television series. He has mostly portrayed East Asian characters with heavy accents throughout his career, although he doesnt speak any Japanese. I was living in New York and had been in the original cast of [Stephen Sondheims] Pacific Overtures and done work with the Public Theater and Joe Papp. I need to find someone who does fit it so I can. Even (or especially) if you havent watched any of the movies. To be sure, there's nothing wrong with swapping gender roles, on-screen or off. He portrayed the character of Long Duk Dong in the 1984 film, Sixteen Candles. There have been no announcements or articles that can confirm any current relationships. I didn't realize how it was going to affect people," he said. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. Gedde Watanabe is probably married to his girlfriend. Covering Rammsteins Du Hast in Berlin. We had other acquaintances who had done the same thing, all within the past few years. Wikipedia. And for someone who fell so in love with America, hes probably changed his name. Full Real Name. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 67 years old group. Gedde Watanabe was born on June 26, 1955, in Ogden, UT under the birth sign of Cancer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. The series explores a pivotal issue people face as they navigate their 50s: What do you do when you realize that time is running short, the road behind you is longer than the road ahead, and your job, your marriage, your relationship with your kids, your life has not turned out at all the way you had hoped and planned when you were young? The 66-year-old is most known for his roles in Gremlins 2: The New Batch, That Thing You Do, Forgetting. I do better with somebody other than myself. Gedde Watanabes income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. and yes a lot of us figure out a better way to get here w just fewer issues but also a lot of us didnt figure it out on time, or worst just quit when things got harder. The whole show is in a silly, goofy mood. The way we got that take is John found a feather and started tickling my feet. I was a theater kid. So I didnt so much go for the jokes, but played to his excitement and enthusiasm. Sure, lets try this. I love putting on the costume just like when I was a little kid. Eventually, he would find his way into acting as a child when he was cast in The King and I at 6. Like in the scene where Im lying on the lawn the next morning. Tom Ford. On screen, Watanabe is often seen as a romantic and flirty guy. Ed Sheeran Completes His PEMDAS Era With New Album, ASTROs Rocky Leaves the Group After Ending Contract. After graduation, Watanabe relocated to San Francisco, where he worked as a street musician while honing his acting skills.[4]. Everyone on set was just so much fun. Maybe if I do an accented role. Nationality. Zachary Smith: Social Media Star, Age, Height, Net Worth, Shiloh Nelson: Actress, Age, Height, Siblings, Net Worth, Top 10 Cigarette Brands and Prices in India. I would see that movie.I have a friend writing something about the Donger. And hes kinda well known for it. In 1976, Watanabe's first role was as a member of the original Broadway cast of Pacific Overtures, originating the roles of Priest, Girl, and The Boy. When I get cast, I never feel like I fit the part. Began his show business career as a street singer. (2022 Update), Whatever Happened To Joyce Hyser? The Ogden born kicked off his acting career in 1976 from Broadway cast of Pacific Overtuners. Gedde Watanabe Movie Actor #115079 Most Popular Boost Birthday June 26, 1955 Birthplace Ogden , UT Age 67 years old Birth Sign Cancer About He portrayed the character of Long Duk Dong in the 1984 film, Sixteen Candles. I was mostly worried about hitting my marks and stuff like that. His mother was interned by the United States during World War II. Watanabe is known for his acting style as well as his singing skills. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Silver fox is hot! When he's not writing, he's probably wondering how Frank Dux got 52 consecutive knockouts in a single tournament. Natalie Wihongis Biography Who is Karl Urba Yerin (GFriend) - Age, Height, Partner, Plastic Su Who is Kimberly Stewart? He would continue to act in theatrical projects through the early 1980s but would land a breakout film role in 1984. 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