Anna May Wong Collection
Vintage Historical Photography, Movie Posters

Anna May Wong (1905–1961) was Hollywood’s first Chinese American movie star and a pioneering actress whose career broke barriers during a time when Asian performers were excluded, stereotyped, or limited to minor roles. Rising to fame in silent films like The Toll of the Sea and later in classics such as Shanghai Express and Daughter of Shanghai, she became a dazzling international icon known for her elegance, emotional depth, and striking screen presence. Despite facing systemic racism, typecasting, and even losing major roles to white actresses in yellowface, Wong carved out a global career across Hollywood, Europe, and stage performance. Today, she remains deeply revered by fans and collectors not only for her rare and culturally significant film memorabilia, but also for her legacy as a fearless trailblazer who challenged an exclusionary industry and opened doors for generations of Asian American performers that followed.

Anna May Wong was producer Ross Hunter's original choice for Madame Liang in the fantastic 1961 musical "Flower Drum Song", and Wong wanted to do the film.  However, her sudden death at the age of 56, just before filming was scheduled to begin, resulted in the part being given to Juanita Hall, who had created the role on Broadway.

In 2022 the US Treasury issued the Anna May Wong quarter, with a beautiful image of her on the back of George Washington!

Read more on her extensive Wiki page HERE