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==Career==
==Career==
Kwouk made his film debut in ''[[Windom's Way]]'' (1957). One of his earliest film roles was in ''[[The Inn of the Sixth Happiness]]'' (1958) in the role of the leader of a [[Prison riot|prison revolt]] who later aids the main character Gladys Aylward ([[Ingrid Bergman]]) in heroically leading orphans to safety.<ref name=bfibio/>
Kwouk made his film debut with an uncredited part in ''[[Windom's Way]]'' (1957). His next film role in ''[[The Inn of the Sixth Happiness]]'' (1958) was described as his "big break"; Kwouk featured as the leader of a [[Prison riot|prison revolt]] who later aids the main starring character Gladys Aylward ([[Ingrid Bergman]]) in heroically leading orphans to safety.<ref>{{Cite web | url =http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/504436/index.html | publisher = BFI | title = Kwouk, Burt (1930-2016) biography | access-date = 10 June 2025}}</ref>


He was best known for playing Cato Fong, [[Inspector Clouseau]]'s manservant, in the ''[[The Pink Panther (film series)|Pink Panther]]'' film series. The character was first introduced in ''[[A Shot in the Dark (1964 film)|A Shot in the Dark]]'' (1964), the second film in the series, and was a role that Kwouk would reprise on another six occasions until the 2006 series reboot. The [[running gag]] was that Cato was ordered to attack Clouseau when he least expected it to keep Clouseau alert, usually resulting in a ruined romantic encounter or Clouseau's flat being completely destroyed. Amid the chaos, the phone would ring and Cato would calmly answer it before dutifully handing the phone to his employer and being thumped again by Clouseau.<ref name=guardobit/>
Kwouk was best known for playing Cato Fong, [[Inspector Clouseau]]'s manservant, in the ''[[The Pink Panther (film series)|Pink Panther]]'' film series. The character was first introduced in ''[[A Shot in the Dark (1964 film)|A Shot in the Dark]]'' (1964), the second film in the series, and was a role that Kwouk would reprise on another six occasions until the 2006 series reboot. The Pink Panther series used a [[running gag]]; Cato was ordered to attack Clouseau when he least expected it to keep Clouseau alert, usually resulting in a ruined romantic encounter or Clouseau's flat being completely destroyed. Amidst the chaos, the phone would ring and Cato would calmly answer it before dutifully handing the phone to his employer and being thumped again by Clouseau.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.scotsman.com/news/obituary-burt-kwouk-actor-1475799 | publisher = The Scotsman | title = Obituary: Burt Kwouk, actor | access-date = 10 June 2025}}</ref>


He was a stalwart of several 1960s [[ITC Entertainment|ITC]] television series, such as ''[[Danger Man]]'', ''[[The Saint (TV series)|The Saint]]'' and ''[[Man of the World (TV series)|Man of the World]]'', when an [[Orient#British English|oriental]] character was required. He appeared in the episode Assault Force in Return of the Saint. Kwouk featured as one of the leads in the short-lived series ''[[The Sentimental Agent]]'' (1963)<ref name=guardpix>{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/gallery/2016/may/24/burt-kwouk-cato-pink-panther-films-a-life-in-pictures | work = The Guardian | title= Burt Kwouk, Cato in the Pink Panther films – a life in pictures |access-date = 24 May 2016| date = 24 May 2016}}</ref> and had minor roles in three [[James Bond (film series)|James Bond]] films. In ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'' (1964), he played Mr Ling, a Chinese expert in nuclear fission; in the [[James Bond in film#Non-Ian Fleming films|non-Ian Fleming]] spoof ''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'' (1967), he played a general and, in ''[[You Only Live Twice (film)|You Only Live Twice]]'' (also 1967), Kwouk played the part of a [[Japan]]ese operative of [[Ernst Stavro Blofeld|Blofeld]], credited as Spectre 3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burt Kwouk |url=https://bondscenes.com/biography/burt-kwouk/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Bond Scenes |date=5 January 2023 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He appeared with [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Anthony Quinn]] in ''[[The Shoes of the Fisherman (movie)|The Shoes of the Fisherman]]''.
He was a stalwart of several 1960s [[ITC Entertainment|ITC]] television series, such as ''[[Danger Man]]'', ''[[The Saint (TV series)|The Saint]]'' and ''[[Man of the World (TV series)|Man of the World]]'', when an [[Orient#British English|oriental]] character was required. He appeared in the episode "Assault Force" in ''[[Return of the Saint]]''. Kwouk also featured as one of the leads in the short-lived series ''[[The Sentimental Agent]]'' (1963)<ref name=guardpix>{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/gallery/2016/may/24/burt-kwouk-cato-pink-panther-films-a-life-in-pictures | work = The Guardian | title= Burt Kwouk, Cato in the Pink Panther films – a life in pictures |access-date = 24 May 2016| date = 24 May 2016}}</ref> and had minor roles in three [[James Bond (film series)|James Bond]] films. In ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'' (1964), he played Mr Ling, a Chinese expert in nuclear fission; in the [[James Bond in film#Non-Ian Fleming films|non-Ian Fleming]] spoof ''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'' (1967), he played a general; in ''[[You Only Live Twice (film)|You Only Live Twice]]'' (1967), Kwouk is a [[Japan]]ese operative of [[Ernst Stavro Blofeld|Blofeld]], credited as Spectre 3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burt Kwouk |url=https://bondscenes.com/biography/burt-kwouk/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Bond Scenes |date=5 January 2023 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He also appeared with [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Anthony Quinn]] in ''[[The Shoes of the Fisherman (movie)|The Shoes of the Fisherman]]''.


A reference to Kwouk's appearances in several films with [[Peter Sellers]] is found in the opening scene of ''[[The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu]]'' (1980) where Sellers says to him "your face is familiar."<ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=biKazcH-dXoC&q=your+face+is+familiar+sellars+kwouk&pg=PA797 | title = The Life and Death of Peter Sellers | first = Roger | last = Lewis | page = 797 | publisher = Arrow | isbn = 978-0099747000 | date = 16 February 1995}}</ref> His next major role was as the honourable but misguided Major Yamauchi in the [[World War II]] television drama ''[[Tenko (TV series)|Tenko]]'' (1981–1984). Kwouk featured in many British television productions that called for an Oriental actor.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19884660| title = Obituary: Burt Kwouk| work =BBC News  | date = 24 May 2016 | access-date = 27 Dec 2020}}</ref> As a result, he became a familiar face in the United Kingdom and appeared as himself in the ''[[Harry Hill (TV series)|Harry Hill Show]]'' as well as several of Hill's live tours.<ref name=bbcobit>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36370997 | title = Burt Kwouk dies aged 85| work =BBC News  | date = 24 May 2016 | access-date = 24 May 2016}}</ref> Burt also had a cameo in ''[[Super Gran]]'' in 1985.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} He also appeared in the 1985 RKO film ''[[Plenty (film)]]'' as a Burmese diplomat at a dinner party.
A reference to Kwouk's appearances in several films with [[Peter Sellers]] is found in the opening scene of ''[[The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu]]'' (1980) where Sellers says to him "your face is familiar."<ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=biKazcH-dXoC&q=your+face+is+familiar+sellars+kwouk&pg=PA797 | title = The Life and Death of Peter Sellers | first = Roger | last = Lewis | page = 797 | publisher = Arrow | isbn = 978-0099747000 | date = 16 February 1995}}</ref> His next major role was as the honourable but misguided Major Yamauchi in the [[BBC|BBC]] [[World War II]] television drama ''[[Tenko (TV series)|Tenko]]'' (1981–1984). Kwouk featured in many British television productions that called for an Oriental actor.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19884660| title = Obituary: Burt Kwouk| work =BBC News  | date = 24 May 2016 | access-date = 27 Dec 2020}}</ref> As a result, he became a well-known face in the United Kingdom and appeared as himself in the ''[[Harry Hill (TV series)|Harry Hill Show]]'', in addition to supporting several of Hill's live tours.<ref name=bbcobit>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36370997 | title = Burt Kwouk dies aged 85| work =BBC News  | date = 24 May 2016 | access-date = 24 May 2016}}</ref> Kwouk had a guest role in ''[[Super Gran]]'' in 1985, appearing as himself in the episode "Super Gran and the TV Villains". He also played a supportive role in the 1985 ''[[RKO]]'' film ''[[Plenty (film)]]'', portraying a Burmese diplomat at a dinner party.


In 2000, he appeared in an episode of the syndicated western TV series ''[[Queen of Swords (TV series)|Queen of Swords]]'' as Master Kiyomasa, an aged [[Japan]]ese warrior-priest. [[Sung-Hi Lee]] played his female pupil, Kami.<ref name=qos>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=SE2nCgAAQBAJ&q=%22queen+of+swords%22+%22burt+kwouk%22&pg=PA62 | title = Crime Fighting Heroes of Television: Over 10,000 Facts from 151 Shows, 1949–2001 | first = Vincent | last = Terrace | page = 62 | publisher = McFarland & Co. | isbn = 978-0786413959 | date = 14 October 2002}}</ref> He provided [[voice-over]]s on the spoof Japanese betting show ''[[Banzai (TV series)|Banzai]]'' (2001–2004) and subsequently appeared in adverts for the betting company, [[Bet365]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=57c22337b08c32b08c5b609516963223|title=Fox's 'Banzai' Premieres to Protests|last=Tang|first=Irwin|date=24 July 2003|publisher=New America Media|access-date=8 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714161520/http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=57c22337b08c32b08c5b609516963223|archive-date=14 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> From 2002 to the series's end in 2010, he had a [[regular character|regular role]] as one of the three main characters in the long-running series ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'', as [[List of Last of the Summer Wine characters#'Electrical' Entwistle|'Electrical' Entwistle]]. His later work also included [[voice acting]] for [[radio drama]], video games,<ref>{{Cite web | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qbvzt | publisher = BBC | title = Spirit Warriors | access-date = 25 May 2016}}</ref> and television commercials.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/24/burt-kwouk-obituary|title=Burt Kwouk obituary|author=[[Ronald Bergan]]|work=The Guardian|date=24 May 2016|access-date=29 October 2019}}</ref>
In 2000, Kwouk appeared in an episode of the syndicated western TV series ''[[Queen of Swords (TV series)|Queen of Swords]]'' as Master Kiyomasa, an aged [[Japan]]ese warrior-priest; [[Sung-Hi Lee]] played his female pupil, Kami.<ref name=qos>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=SE2nCgAAQBAJ&q=%22queen+of+swords%22+%22burt+kwouk%22&pg=PA62 | title = Crime Fighting Heroes of Television: Over 10,000 Facts from 151 Shows, 1949–2001 | first = Vincent | last = Terrace | page = 62 | publisher = McFarland & Co. | isbn = 978-0786413959 | date = 14 October 2002}}</ref> He provided [[voice-over]]s on the spoof Japanese betting show ''[[Banzai (TV series)|Banzai]]'' (2001–2004)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=57c22337b08c32b08c5b609516963223|title=Fox's 'Banzai' Premieres to Protests|last=Tang|first=Irwin|date=24 July 2003|publisher=New America Media|access-date=8 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714161520/http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=57c22337b08c32b08c5b609516963223|archive-date=14 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and subsequently appeared in adverts for the betting company, [[Bet365]]<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jun/06/advertising | work = The Guardian | title= Burt Kwouk stars in Euro 2008 betting ad |access-date = 10 June 2025| date = 6 June 2008}}</ref>. From 2002 to 2010 Kwouk had a [[regular character|regular role]] as one of the three main characters in the long-running BBC series ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'', featuring as [[List of Last of the Summer Wine characters#'Electrical' Entwistle|'Electrical' Entwistle]]. His later work also included [[voice acting]] for [[radio drama]], video games,<ref>{{Cite web | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qbvzt | publisher = BBC | title = Spirit Warriors | access-date = 25 May 2016}}</ref> and television commercials.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/24/burt-kwouk-obituary|title=Burt Kwouk obituary|author=[[Ronald Bergan]]|work=The Guardian|date=24 May 2016|access-date=29 October 2019}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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* ''[[The Cool Mikado]]'' (1963) as Art Teacher / Man on Aeroplane (uncredited)
* ''[[The Cool Mikado]]'' (1963) as Art Teacher / Man on Aeroplane (uncredited)
* ''[[55 Days at Peking]]'' (1963) as Old Man (voice)
* ''[[55 Days at Peking]]'' (1963) as Old Man (voice)
* ''[[A Shot in the Dark (1964 film)|A Shot in the Dark]]'' (1964) as Kato – Clouseau's man-servant<ref name=bfibio/>
* ''[[A Shot in the Dark (1964 film)|A Shot in the Dark]]'' (1964) as Cato – Clouseau's man-servant<ref name=bfibio/>
* ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'' (1964) as Mr Ling<ref name=bfibio/>
* ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'' (1964) as Mr Ling<ref name=bfibio/>
* ''[[Curse of the Fly]]'' (1965) as Tai<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/curse_of_the_fly/ | website = Rotten Tomatoes | access-date = 25 May 2016 | title = Curse of the Fly}}</ref>
* ''[[Curse of the Fly]]'' (1965) as Tai<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/curse_of_the_fly/ | website = Rotten Tomatoes | access-date = 25 May 2016 | title = Curse of the Fly}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 06:34, 18 June 2025

Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image Script error: No such module "infobox".

Herbert Tsangtse Kwouk (Kwouk; Template:IPAc-en; Template:Zh; 18 July 1930 – 24 May 2016) was a British actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as Cato in the Pink Panther films. He made appearances in many television programmes, including a portrayal of Imperial Japanese Army Major Yamauchi in the British drama series Tenko and as Entwistle in Last of the Summer Wine.

Early life

Kwouk was born on 18 July 1930 in Warrington,[1][2] Lancashire, to Chinese parents; his parents were on a business trip touring Europe. He was brought up in Shanghai; his father was a textile tycoon descended from a Tang dynasty general.[1][3] Between the ages of 12 and 16, he attended the Shanghai Jesuit Mission School, which he described as "the Far East equivalent" of Eton College.[1] He left China in 1947 when his parents returned to Britain, and was sent to the United States to complete his education.[4] In 1953, he graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.[5] The Kwouk family fortune was lost in the Chinese communist revolution in the 1940s. In 1954, he returned to Britain, where a girlfriend "nagged [him] into acting".[4]

Career

Kwouk made his film debut with an uncredited part in Windom's Way (1957). His next film role in The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958) was described as his "big break"; Kwouk featured as the leader of a prison revolt who later aids the main starring character Gladys Aylward (Ingrid Bergman) in heroically leading orphans to safety.[6]

Kwouk was best known for playing Cato Fong, Inspector Clouseau's manservant, in the Pink Panther film series. The character was first introduced in A Shot in the Dark (1964), the second film in the series, and was a role that Kwouk would reprise on another six occasions until the 2006 series reboot. The Pink Panther series used a running gag; Cato was ordered to attack Clouseau when he least expected it to keep Clouseau alert, usually resulting in a ruined romantic encounter or Clouseau's flat being completely destroyed. Amidst the chaos, the phone would ring and Cato would calmly answer it before dutifully handing the phone to his employer and being thumped again by Clouseau.[7]

He was a stalwart of several 1960s ITC television series, such as Danger Man, The Saint and Man of the World, when an oriental character was required. He appeared in the episode "Assault Force" in Return of the Saint. Kwouk also featured as one of the leads in the short-lived series The Sentimental Agent (1963)[8] and had minor roles in three James Bond films. In Goldfinger (1964), he played Mr Ling, a Chinese expert in nuclear fission; in the non-Ian Fleming spoof Casino Royale (1967), he played a general; in You Only Live Twice (1967), Kwouk is a Japanese operative of Blofeld, credited as Spectre 3.[9] He also appeared with Laurence Olivier and Anthony Quinn in The Shoes of the Fisherman.

A reference to Kwouk's appearances in several films with Peter Sellers is found in the opening scene of The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980) where Sellers says to him "your face is familiar."[10] His next major role was as the honourable but misguided Major Yamauchi in the BBC World War II television drama Tenko (1981–1984). Kwouk featured in many British television productions that called for an Oriental actor.[11] As a result, he became a well-known face in the United Kingdom and appeared as himself in the Harry Hill Show, in addition to supporting several of Hill's live tours.[12] Kwouk had a guest role in Super Gran in 1985, appearing as himself in the episode "Super Gran and the TV Villains". He also played a supportive role in the 1985 RKO film Plenty (film), portraying a Burmese diplomat at a dinner party.

In 2000, Kwouk appeared in an episode of the syndicated western TV series Queen of Swords as Master Kiyomasa, an aged Japanese warrior-priest; Sung-Hi Lee played his female pupil, Kami.[13] He provided voice-overs on the spoof Japanese betting show Banzai (2001–2004)[14] and subsequently appeared in adverts for the betting company, Bet365[15]. From 2002 to 2010 Kwouk had a regular role as one of the three main characters in the long-running BBC series Last of the Summer Wine, featuring as 'Electrical' Entwistle. His later work also included voice acting for radio drama, video games,[16] and television commercials.[17]

Personal life

Kwouk married Caroline Tebbs in Wandsworth, London, in the summer of 1961.[18] Their son was born in 1974.[19] Kwouk was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to drama.[20][21] In later years, he lived in Hampstead, London.

Death

Kwouk died on 24 May 2016 at the age of 85, from cancer, at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead.[22][23]

Selected filmography

Film

Template:Columns-list

Television

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Template:Div col end

Audio theatre

Video games

Miscellaneous

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ England & Wales, Birth Index, 1916–2005: Registration district: Manchester South; Inferred County: Cheshire; Volume Number: 8d; Page Number: 40
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ England & Wales Marriage Index, 1916–2005; Date of Registration: Jul–Aug–Sep 1961; Registration district: Wandsworth; Inferred County: Surrey; Volume Number: 5d; Page Number: 1975
  19. ↑ England & Wales, Birth Index, 1916–2005; Registration district: St Pancras; Volume 14; Page 2309
  20. ↑ Template:London Gazette
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ a b c d e f g h Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bfibio
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ a b c d e f Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bfiprofile
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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