Nancy Kwan

Nancy Kwan

Known for Acting · 69 credits

Born
1939-05-19 (age 87)
Place of birth
Hong Kong, British Crown Colony [now China]
Also known as
关家蒨 · Nancy Kwan · Guan Nanshi · Nancy Kwan Ka-shen

Biography

Nancy Kwan Ka-shen (Cantonese: 關家蒨; born May 19, 1939) is a Hong Kong-born American actress, author, and philanthropist. She meteorically rose to fame by starring in the Hollywood films The World of Suzie Wong (1960) and Flower Drum Song (1961), which were among the first to cast Asian actors in major roles. Her dazzling 'oriental' style and signature bob cut became iconic and cemented her status as an exotic sex symbol. Later in life, Kwan became involved in philanthropy for AIDS awareness. In 1997, she published a book about her son who died from the disease and donated its profits to support the promotion of AIDS awareness.

Known For

TV Shows (13)

Movies (56)

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Movie

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

1993

as Gussie Yang

The Wrecking Crew
Movie

The Wrecking Crew

1968

as Wen Yu-Rang

Flower Drum Song
Movie

Flower Drum Song

1961

as Linda Low

The McMasters
Movie

The McMasters

1970

as Robin

Honeymoon Hotel
Movie

Honeymoon Hotel

1964

as Lynn Hope

Reel Horror
Movie

Reel Horror

1985

as Leslie (archive footage)

Paint It Black
Movie

Paint It Black

2016

as Margaret

Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming
Movie

Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming

2017

as Gloria (voice)

Fate Is the Hunter
Movie

Fate Is the Hunter

1964

as Sally Fraser

The World of Suzie Wong
Movie

The World of Suzie Wong

1960

as Suzie Wong

Cold Dog Soup
Movie

Cold Dog Soup

1990

as Madame Chang

Angkor: Cambodia Express
Movie

Angkor: Cambodia Express

1981

as Sue

Miracle Landing
Movie

Miracle Landing

1990

as C.B. Lansing

Nobody's Perfect
Movie

Nobody's Perfect

1968

as Nurse Tomiko Momyama

Hollywood Chinese
Movie

Hollywood Chinese

2007

as Self

Be Water
Movie

Be Water

2020

as Self - Actress / Friend

The Unbeatable Bruce Lee
Movie

The Unbeatable Bruce Lee

2001

Arrivederci, Baby!
Movie

Arrivederci, Baby!

1966

as Baby

Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities
Movie

Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities

1995

as Self

Rebellious
Movie

Rebellious

1995

as Joni

For Life or Death
Movie

For Life or Death

1996

as Ling Li

Lt. Robin Crusoe U.S.N.
Movie

Lt. Robin Crusoe U.S.N.

1966

as Wednesday

The Last Ninja
Movie

The Last Ninja

1983

as Noriko Sakura

The Girl Who Knew Too Much
Movie

The Girl Who Knew Too Much

1969

as Revel Drue

Night Children
Movie

Night Children

1989

as Diane Martin

Tamahine
Movie

Tamahine

1963

as Tamahine

The Corrupt Ones
Movie

The Corrupt Ones

1967

as Tina

Night Creature
Movie

Night Creature

1978

as Leslie

Wonder Women
Movie

Wonder Women

1973

as Dr. Tsu

Heiße Ware aus Hong Kong
Movie

Heiße Ware aus Hong Kong

1973

as Self

The Wild Affair
Movie

The Wild Affair

1965

as Marjorie Lee

Babies
Movie

Babies

1990

as Dr. Liu

Cocoon
Movie

Cocoon

1968

as Rosemary Quong

To Whom It May Concern: Ka Shen's Journey
Movie

To Whom It May Concern: Ka Shen's Journey

2010

as Herself

Walking the Edge
Movie

Walking the Edge

1985

as Christine Holloway

Project: Kill
Movie

Project: Kill

1976

as Lee Su

The Main Attraction
Movie

The Main Attraction

1962

as Tessa

Ray of Sunshine
Movie

Ray of Sunshine

2006

as Lilly

The Pacific Connection
Movie

The Pacific Connection

1974

as Leni

Blade in Hong Kong
Movie

Blade in Hong Kong

1985

as Lily

Mr. Yunioshi:  An Asian Perspective
Movie

Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective

2009

as Self (archive footage)

Anna May Wong - Frosted Yellow Willows: Her Life, Times and Legend
Movie

Anna May Wong - Frosted Yellow Willows: Her Life, Times and Legend

2007

as Narrator

Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar
Movie

Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar

1999

as Mitsuko McFee

Slaying the Dragon
Movie

Slaying the Dragon

1988

That Lady from Peking
Movie

That Lady from Peking

1975

as Sue Ten Chan

Fortress in the Sun
Movie

Fortress in the Sun

1975

as Maria

Spring Comes Not Again
Movie

Spring Comes Not Again

1974

Sally's Beauty Spot
Movie

Sally's Beauty Spot

1990

as Suzie Wong (archive footage)

Keys to Freedom
Movie

Keys to Freedom

1988

as Dr. Lao

You Don't Know Jack: The Jack Soo Story
Movie

You Don't Know Jack: The Jack Soo Story

2009

as Self

Murder on the Yellow Brick Road
Movie

Murder on the Yellow Brick Road

2005

as Natalie Chung

Bruce Lee: A Life in Ten Pictures
Movie

Bruce Lee: A Life in Ten Pictures

2023

The Magic Stone
Movie

The Magic Stone

1966

as Mei Ching

Karioka etchos de America
Movie

Karioka etchos de America

1971

Supercock
Movie

Supercock

1975

as Yuki Chan

Streets of Hong Kong
Movie

Streets of Hong Kong

1979

as Mei Mei

About Nancy Kwan

Nancy Kwan Ka-shen (Cantonese: 關家蒨; born May 19, 1939) is a Hong Kong-born American actress, author, and philanthropist. She meteorically rose to fame by starring in the Hollywood films The World of Suzie Wong (1960) and Flower Drum Song (1961), which were among the first to cast Asian actors in major roles. Her dazzling 'oriental' style and signature bob cut became iconic and cemented her status as an exotic sex symbol. Later in life, Kwan became involved in philanthropy for AIDS awareness. In 1997, she published a book about her son who died… With 69 credits spanning from 1944 to 2023, Nancy Kwan has appeared in 56 films and 13 TV shows.

Fans searching for Nancy Kwan movies, Nancy Kwan filmography, or the latest projects starring Nancy Kwan can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.

Most Popular Nancy Kwan Movies

Where to Watch Nancy Kwan Films

Most Nancy Kwan movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Nancy Kwan, check our movies catalogue and browse page.

Popular Web Series Collections