Also check out our article, 10 Asian Studs of the Past Era.
Young Asian and Asian mixed starlets such as Vanessa Hudgens, Brenda Song and Maggie Q seem to be taking up the screen time these days but looking back we’ve got some that truly graced the big and small screen before these newbies! Here is a list of Asian beauties that made “sex symbol” an understatement.
Anna May Wong
As far as legends and beauty goes in female Asian cinema, Chinese American Anna May Wong is untouched! Beginning her career playing stereotypical characters such as a Dragon Lady, Anna May Wong left Hollywood and perused a career in Europe taking a broad spectrum of roles that appealed to the great actress she was, rather then stereotyped supporting roles in the US. She thus became the first Asian American to become an international starlet. Wong was also quite the daring activist for her people after her time in Europe. She often refused to play roles that demeaned her race such as a Dragon Lady in the film adaptation of “The Good Earth” which the role was eventually whitewashed. By doing such she empowered Asian American actors to have a voice in the roles they play. A true legend all should look up to.
Toshia Mori
Japanese American Toshia Mori is probably not the best known Asian lady in Hollywood but she definitely was one of the most beautiful. She had a slow start in her career but gained notoriety starring alongside Barbara Stanwyck in “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” while pretty much stealing the show from her co-stars. Her career in front of the camera didn’t last long but that beauty is truly timeless.
Akiko Kojima
Not exactly an actress but she is THE FIRST EVER ASIAN MISS UNIVERSE, I’d put her on a list for singers, that is how monumental she is! The Japanese model Akiko Kojima won the title of Miss Universe in 1959. The ultimate indication of the sheer beauty of this lady was that crown they placed on her head. Apasra Hongsakula later gained the title as the first Southeast Asian to win the title and the second Asian in general to win in 1965.
Michelle Yeoh
Malaysian born actress Michelle Yeoh is not only a beauty she’s a tough beauty as well! Yeoh began her career in Hong Kong with mediocre success but later became a regional star by appearing in several martial arts films and soon enough an international star playing Wai Lin in the James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” but Yeohs biggest role to date is non other then her ass kicking role in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. Since she has become an international success with films such as “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”.
Phoebe Cates
The sexy Cates with Filipina and Chinese descent has one of the most memorable scenes in cinema history in the 1982 film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”. She’s responsible for the early puberty of many teenage boys of that era. She later starred in classics such as Gremlins and Drop Dead Fred. These roles were never as daring as FTRH but she was always as sweet and beautiful. She has since retired from the industry but hopefully she will return and grace the screen with her good looks once again.
Tura Satana
Best known as the busty Amazonian-like woman in the 1965 cult film, “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” this bad ass lady of Filipino and Japanese descent struck fear and sex appeal to all viewers of the cult classic B film genres in the 60s. Her portrayal of the butt kicking psychotic sadist in “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” and “Astro Zombies” remains a geek’s wet dream. When I die I want to die by her kicking my ass and breaking my back to!!
Merle Oberon
The stunning Indian and British, Merle Oberon was an Academy award nominated actress for her role in “The Dark Angel”. Oberon began her career at just 17 staring in small roles but soon gaining notoriety after starring as Anne Boleyn in “The Private Life of Henry VIII”. The success of the film gained Oberon a distinguished A-list status garnering numerous roles making her a film success for nearly 50 years.
Joan Chen
Chinese actress Joan Chen may be most notable for her role alongside Anne Heche in the provocative film “Wild Side”. The bed scene between the two was quite notorious and controversial but all the while STEAMY and set a new bar for Asian American actresses. Chen was the hotness and even now at nearly 50 is still a striking beauty.
Tsai Chin
Chinese actress Tsai Chin was a total bombshell in the 60s! She began acting in roles such as Fah lo Suee in the Fu Manchu films playing the devious but sexy daughter of the fictional character Dr. Fu Manchu. This role was also portrayed earlier by Anna May Wong. Also, her brother owns Mr. Chow AKA that place all the douchebag celebrities go to.
Nancy Kwan
Chinese and Scottish, Nancy Kwan is the epitome of an innovator for an entire culture. In the 60’s Kwan became a high profiled icon in both style and beauty. Her acting career made her to be one of the first to break boundaries of leading Asian sex symbol in films which before had been constantly whitewashed.
Written by Editorial Staff