Burt Kwouk

Kwouk was born on 18 July 1930 in Warrington,{{Cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/05/24/burt-kwouk-actor--obituary/ | work = The Daily Telegraph | title= Burt Kwouk, actor – obituary |access-date = 25 May 2016| date = 25 May 2016}}England & Wales, Birth Index, 1916–2005: Registration district: Manchester South; Inferred County: Cheshire; Volume Number: 8d; Page Number: 40 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19884660|title=Obituary: Burt Kwouk|work=BBC News|date=24 May 2016}} 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. He left China in 1947 when his parents returned to Britain, and was sent to the United States to complete his education.{{Cite news| title = Not Now, Cato! OBE for Pink Panther Star Kwouk| work = Press Association Regional Newswire – North West |date=1 January 2011}} In 1953, he graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.{{cite web | url = http://www.bowdoin.edu/news/archives/1bowdoincampus/008683.shtml| publisher = Bowdoin College | title = Actor Burt Kwouk '53 Receives Honor from English Crown | date = 28 July 2011 | access-date = 24 May 2016}} 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".

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 revolt who later aids the main character Gladys Aylward (Ingrid Bergman) in heroically leading orphans to safety.

He 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 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.

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 featured as one of the leads in the short-lived series The Sentimental Agent (1963){{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}} 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 and, in You Only Live Twice (also 1967), Kwouk played the part of a Japanese operative of Blofeld, credited as Spectre 3.{{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}} He 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."{{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}} His next major role was as the honourable but misguided Major Yamauchi in the World War II television drama Tenko (1981–1984). Kwouk featured in many British television productions that called for an Oriental actor.{{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}} As a result, he became a familiar face in the United Kingdom and appeared as himself in the Harry Hill Show as well as several of Hill's live tours.{{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}} 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.

In 2000, he 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.{{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}} He provided voice-overs on the spoof Japanese betting show Banzai (2001–2004) and subsequently appeared in adverts for the betting company, Bet365.{{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}} From 2002 to the series's end in 2010, he had a regular role as one of the three main characters in the long-running series Last of the Summer Wine, as 'Electrical' Entwistle. His later work also included voice acting for radio drama, video games,{{Cite web | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qbvzt | publisher = BBC | title = Spirit Warriors | access-date = 25 May 2016}} and television commercials.{{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}}

Kwouk married Caroline Tebbs in Wandsworth, London, in the summer of 1961.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 Their son was born in 1974.England & Wales, Birth Index, 1916–2005; Registration district: St Pancras; Volume 14; Page 2309 Kwouk was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to drama.{{London Gazette|issue=59647 |date=31 December 2010 |page=11 |supp=y}}{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12090365 | work=BBC News | title=New Year Honours unveiled | date=31 December 2010}} In later years, he lived in Hampstead, London.

Kwouk died on 24 May 2016 at the age of 85, from cancer, at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead.{{Cite web|url = http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/close_friend_pays_tribute_to_pink_panther_actor_burt_kwouk_1_4548485|archive-url = https://archive.today/20160602232718/http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/close_friend_pays_tribute_to_pink_panther_actor_burt_kwouk_1_4548485|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 June 2016|title = Close friend pays tribute to Pink Panther actor Burt Kwouk|date = 24 May 2016}}{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/24/burt-kwouk-cato-from-pink-panther-dies-age-85 | title = Burt Kwouk, Cato from Pink Panther, dies age 85 | work = The Guardian | access-date = 24 May 2016 | first = Ben | last= Child | date = 24 May 2016}}

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• Windom's Way (1957) as Father Amyam's aide (uncredited){{Cite web | url = http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/504436/index.html | publisher = British Film Institute | access-date = 24 May 2016| title = Kwouk, Burt}}
• The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958) as Li
• Yesterday's Enemy (1959) as Japanese Soldier
• Upstairs and Downstairs (1959) as Chinese Restaurant Proprietor (uncredited)
• Expresso Bongo (1959) as Soho youth (uncredited)
• Passport to China (1960) as Jimmy
• The Terror of the Tongs (1961) as Mr Ming
• The Sinister Man (1961) as Capt. Feng{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nBOwAgAAQBAJ&q=%22The+sinister+man%22+%22burt+kwouk%22&pg=PA210 | title = Film Noir, Detective and Mystery Movies on DVD: A Guide to the Best in Suspense | first = John | last = Howard Reid | year = 2009 | page = 210 | publisher = Lulu.com | isbn = 9781435730106 }}
• Satan Never Sleeps (1962) as Ah Wang{{Cite web | url = http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a8c3bc2| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160814220551/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a8c3bc2| url-status = dead| archive-date = 14 August 2016| title = Satan Never Sleeps | publisher = British Film Institute | access-date = 24 May 2016}}
• The War Lover (1962) as Chung – Radio Operator on B-17 (uncredited)
• The Cool Mikado (1963) as Art Teacher / Man on Aeroplane (uncredited)
• 55 Days at Peking (1963) as Old Man (voice)
• A Shot in the Dark (1964) as Kato – Clouseau's man-servant
• Goldfinger (1964) as Mr Ling
• Curse of the Fly (1965) as Tai{{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}}
• Our Man in Marrakesh (1966) as Export manager{{Cite web | url = http://www.radiotimes.com/film/kj7gb/our-man-in-marrakesh | work = Radio Times | access-date = 25 May 2016 | title = Our Man in Marrakesh}}
• Lost Command (1966) as Officer
• The Sandwich Man (1966) as Ice Cream Man{{Cite web | url = http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba1791134 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160419144306/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba1791134 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 19 April 2016 | title = Burt Kwouk | publisher = British Film Institute | access-date = 25 May 2016}}
• The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966) as Feng
• Casino Royale (1967) as Chinese general (uncredited)
• You Only Live Twice (1967) as Spectre 3
• Nobody Runs Forever (1968) as Pham Chimh
• The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968) as Chairman Peng
• The Chairman (1969) as Chang Shou
• Deep End (1970) as Hot Dog salesman
• Madame Sin (1972) as Scarred Operator
• The Return of the Pink Panther (1975) as Cato Fong
• Rollerball (1975) as Japanese doctor
• Girls Come First (1975) as Sashimi
• The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) as Cato
• The Last Remake of Beau Geste (1977) as Father Shapiro
• The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977) as Chinese Delegate
• Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978) as Cato Fong
• The London Connection (1979) as Man at Meeting (uncredited)
• The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980) as Fu Manchu's Servant
• Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) as Cato Fong
• Curse of the Pink Panther (1983) as Cato Fong
• Plenty (1985) as Mr Aung
• Empire of the Sun (1987) as Mr Chen
• Race for Glory (1989) as Yoshiro Tanaka
• I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle (1990) as Fu King owner
• Air America (1990) as General Lu Soong
• Police Story 3: Super Cop (1992) as General (voice, uncredited)
• Leon the Pig Farmer (1992) as Art collector
• Carry On Columbus (1992) as Wang
• Shooting Elizabeth (1992) as Father Chu
• Son of the Pink Panther (1993) as Cato Fong
• She Good Fighter (1995) as Liang
• Peggy Su! (1997) as Dad
• China Dream (1998) as Min Ju
• Kiss of the Dragon (2001) as Uncle Tai
• The Wonderland Experience (2002) as Yo Yo
• Beyond Borders (2003) as Colonel Gao
• Gate to Heaven (2003) as Muki
• Stratosphere Girl (2004) as Papa-San
• Les fils du vent (2004) as Wong
• Fat Slags (2004) as Dalai Lama
• Wake of Death (2004) as Tommy Li

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• Hancock's Half Hour: "How to Win Money and Influence People" (1957) as 1st Japanese (credited as Burd Kwouk)
• Danger Man (1961) as Chen Tung / Tai
• Man of the World (1962) as Liu
• The Sentimental Agent (1963) as Chin
• The Avengers (1961-1965) as Tusamo / Mason / King Tenuphon
• The Saint (1965-1968) as Mr Ching / Col. Wing / Tawau
• The Champions: "The Beginning" (1967) as Chinese Major
• Shirley's World: "A Hell of an Engineer" (1972) as Shunji
• Lucky Feller (1976) as Chinese waiter
• Warship (1977) as Foreign Minister Zee Khay Lim
• The Water Margin: (1976–1978) as Narrator (English dub)
• It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1977–1978) as Me Thant
• The Tomorrow People: "The Lost Gods" (1978) as Matsu Tan
• Monkey Magic (1978–1979) as Narrator (English dub){{Cite web | url = http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/14513444.Obituary___Burt_Kwouk__actor_known_as_Inspector_Clouseau__39_s_violent_butler_Cato/ | work = The Herald | title = Obituary – Burt Kwouk, actor known as Inspector Clouseau's violent butler Cato | first = Andrew | last= McKie|date = 24 May 2016 | access-date = 25 May 2016}}
• Shoestring (1980) as Mr Wing{{Cite web | url = http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/858656a85bbe402c895ba1e18f328376 | publisher = BBC | title = Shoestring | date= 21 December 1980 | access-date = 25 May 2016}}
• Minder (1980) as Sojo{{Cite web | url = http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/sf7h/minder--s2-e7-a-nice-little-wine | work = Radio Times | access-date = 25 May 2016 | title = Minder – S2-E7 A Nice Little Wine}}
• Tenko (1981) as Major Yamauchi
• Doctor Who: "Four to Doomsday" (1982) as Lin Futu{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/24/burt-kwouk-obituary | work = The Guardian | date = 24 May 2016 | access-date = 25 May 2016 | title = Burt Kwouk obituary | first = Ronald | last = Bergan}}
• Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense: "Mark of the Devil" (1984) as Lee
• Tickle on the Tum (1984) as Willie Wok
• Howards' Way (1987) as Mr Lee
• T-Bag Bounces Back (1987) as Hi Hatt
• Noble House (1988) as Phillip Chen
• The House of Eliott (1991) as Peter Lo Ching
• Lovejoy (1992, "Eric of Arabia") as Banker{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0637190/|title = "Lovejoy" Eric of Arabia (TV Episode 1992) - IMDb|website = IMDb}}
• Lovejoy (1993, "The Peking Gun") as Mr Ying
• Space Precinct (1994, "Protect and Survive") as Slik Ostrasky{{Cite web | url = http://www.spaceprecinct.com/episode-guide/ | website = SpacePrecinct.com | title = Episode 01: Protect and Survive | access-date = 25 May 2016}}
• Bullet to Beijing (1996) as Kim Soo
• The Harry Hill Show (1997–2000)
• Arabian Nights (2000) as Caliph Beder
• Queen of Swords: "The Dragon" (2001) as Master Kiyomassa
• Banzai (2001) as Narrator
• Last of the Summer Wine (2002–2010) as Entwistle
• Judge John Deed (2005, "Separation of Powers") as Professor Vang Pao{{Cite web | url = http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/9rhs/judge-john-deed--series-4---5-separation-of-powers | work = Radio Times | access-date = 25 May 2016 | title = Judge John Deed – S4-E5 Separation of Powers}}
• Silent Witness (2006, "Cargo") as Jimmy Han{{Cite web | url = http://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2016/0524/790652-burt-kwouk-cato-in-the-pink-panther-films-dies-at-8/ | publisher = RTE | title = Pink Panther star Burt Kwouk dies aged 85 | date = 24 May 2016 | access-date = 25 May 2016}}
• Honest (2008) as Mr Hong
• Spirit Warriors (2009) as Shen
• Whatever Happened to Harry Hill (2012)

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• Doctor Who: Loups-Garoux (2001) as Doctor Hayashi{{Cite web | url = https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/loups-garoux-645 | title = 20. Loups-Garoux | publisher = Big Finish Productions | access-date= 25 May 2016}}

• Fire Warrior (2003) as El'Lusha
• EyeToy: Play (2003) as Announcer{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=LVc1QNGo_g0C&q=%22eyetoy+play%22+%22+burt+Kwouk%22&pg=PA101 | title = The Video Games Guide: 1,000+ Arcade, Console and Computer Games, 1962–2012 | first = Matt | last = Fox | access-date = 25 May 2016 | page=101 | publisher = McFarland | isbn = 978-0786472574 | date = 30 January 2013}}

• Film trailer – Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974) as Asian Voiceover Announcer
• A 17-minute interview with Burt Kwouk from 2010 about his appearances in ITC shows is featured on the Network DVD The Sentimental Agent.{{cite web|title=Network ON AIR > Sentimental Agent (The) – The Complete Series|url=http://networkonair.com/shop/1139-sentimental-agent-the-the-complete-series.html|publisher=Network|access-date=24 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221043200/http://networkonair.com/shop/1139-sentimental-agent-the-the-complete-series.html|archive-date=21 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{IMDb name|0477297}}
• [http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=9669 Burt Kwouk] (Aveleyman)
• [http://www.kinotv.com/page/bio.php?namecode=57463&q=0&l=en Burt Kwouk](Kinotv)
• {{Discogs artist|Burt Kwouk}}

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Category:1930 births

Category:2016 deaths

Category:20th-century English male actors

Category:21st-century English male actors

Category:Bowdoin College alumni

Category:Deaths from cancer in England

Category:English male film actors

Category:English male television actors

Category:English male voice actors

Category:English people of Chinese descent

Category:Male actors from Warrington

Category:Male actors from Shanghai

Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire