Sammee Tong

Sammee Tong April 21 1901 October 27 1964 was an American film and television character actor He was best known for his starring role as John Forsythes livein houseboyvalet Peter Tong on the sitcom Bachelor Father which aired on all three national networks from 1957 to 1962 Tong signed with Columbia Pictures and made his film debut in a bit part in the comedy film The Captain Hates the Sea 1934 In 1939 he returned to his home town as director of entertainment at the Chinese Village of San Franciscos Worlds Fair and began the first Chinese radio hour on KSAN Throughout the 1940s he had small usually uncredited roles in films He returned to Hollywood in the early 1950s and took roles on television Tong made his television debut in a 1953 episode of You Are There He had a recurring role as George the cook the first two seasons of the Mickey Mouse Club serial The Adventures of Spin and Marty 1955 1956 In 1957 he landed a costarring role in the sitcom Bachelor Father starring John Forsythe and Noreen Corcoran In the series Tong portrayed Peter Tong Bentley Greggs Forsythe livein houseboy and valet Although he was playing a servant Tong enjoyed the role stating Houseboys in movies and the theater always bow low mutter a few sing song words and disappear but not on this show I get dialogue and laughs After Bachelor Fathers cancellation in 1962 Tong was cast as Sammy Ling in the ABC sitcom Mickey 1964 1965 starring Mickey Rooney Despite low ratings Tongs character had a solid fanbase thanks to his role in Bachelor Father Tongs death effectively ended any chance for the series survival and ABC canceled Mickey in its first season His final screen appearance was as Cook in the film Fluffy 1965 starring Tony Randall and Shirley Jones The film was released after Tongs death in October 1964 from an intentional barbiturate overdose