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In John Carpenter's 1986 cult classic, Kwong portrayed Rain, one of the Three Storms, a group of mystical martial arts enforcers.
He died quietly in his sleep on Tuesday night, according to his representative.
Sacramento native Kwong began his screen career in the late '70s, starring in popular series like The A-Team, Wonder Woman, Little House on the Prairie, and Miami Vice. His breakout role was Big Trouble in Little China, which flopped at the box office.
Variety claims that in addition to his acting career, Kwong had a significant involvement in the entertainment sector.
He was a member of the AFTRA National Board and served on the SAG National Board of Directors for more than ten years.
His commitment was demonstrated by his leadership positions on the Board of Governors of the Television Academy and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Actors Branch Executive Committee.
Fans on social media expressed condolences for Kwong's death, praising his iconic role in Big Trouble in Little China and suggesting it may have motivated Mortal Kombat's Raiden. Some fans also criticized the fight scene.
Born in 1952, Kwong began his acting career in the mid-1970s, starring in Wonder Woman, Black Sheep Squadron, and other TV shows. He trained in comedy and drama, and continued his career into the 2020s.
Kwong, a renowned actor, appeared in various TV shows and was praised by his friend Peter R.J. Deyell for his life and career. Deyell praised Kwong's dedication to his beliefs and his gentlemanly nature, often joking about being in the Pin Club.
Kwong, an advocate for representation, signed a 2016 letter denouncing racially insensitive jokes at the Oscars. He was shocked by the sudden resurgence of jokes from Chris Rock and Sacha Baron Cohen, highlighting the lack of boundaries in humor.
Eventually, the Academy apologized for the broadcast's "tone-deaf" depiction of Asians.
Kwong's decades of contributions to film, television, and advocacy culminated in 2023 when he was given the Snow Leopard Award for Outstanding Cinematic Achievement at the Asian World Film Festival.
