Phil Chong

Philip Chong was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 29, 1936, the son of Kin Seong Chong and Beatrice Bow Ngan Young. Phil graduated from college in 1958 and was drafted into the service in 1959. He moved to California in 1969. In the early 1970s, Phil met his best friend, Kenny Endoso, who introduced him to the "picture business." An expert horseman, Phil's first role was as a Mongolian horseback rider in the film Lost Horizon (1973). A multi-talented stunt actor, he worked in hundreds of movies and television shows, including doubling Benson Fong in Kung Fu (1972). Phil was an active advocate and board member of East West Players, an Asian-American theatre company based in Los Angeles. He and Kenny Endoso founded a very successful business, Stunt Equipment Rental. Phil also became the first Asian-American to be invited to become a member of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures. A longstanding member, he was fondly thought of as a godfather amongst his peers. Phil met the love of his life, Stephanie Page, in California in 1971. They married on March 16, 1994. Since his semi-retirement they traveled extensively, having visited Hong Kong and China several times, the Caribbean, nearly all of the United States, and most of the provinces of Canada. Phil also spent time doing the things he loved most: riding his horse, playing golf, spending time "talking story" with friends and family, and visiting Hawaii. Phil Chong suffered a fatal heart attack at home Saturday morning, March 3, 2007. Phil's loving ways, generous spirit, and sense of humor will be greatly missed by so many people whose lives he touched. In addition to his wife, Phil is survived by sisters, Carol (Wes) White and Cora Chong; sisters-in-law, Priscilla (Noel) Audette and Susan (Paul) Cade; step-children, David (Gina) Page and Kim (Edward) Knapp; nieces, Michele, Autumn, and Emma; nephews, Brian (Sarah), Eric (Kehaulani), Matthew, Anthony, and Robb; step-grandchildren, Jonathon, Alyssa, Jacob, and Ethan; grand-niece, Ki'ilani; grand-nephews, Connor and Trevor; goddaughters, Irish and Laurel; and godson, Michael.