Actor. He is best remembered for his role as detective 'Chin Ho Kelly' on the CBS television crime drama series "Hawaii Five-O" that aired from September 1968 until April 1980. Born Kam Tong Chun, he worked at the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii shipyard after graduating from high school in 1938 and was a witness to the Japanese surprise attack on December 7, 1941, which launched the US into World War II. In 1944 he began working as a police officer on the Honolulu Police Department. In 1958 he had a small role in his first film, "Ghost of the China Sea" followed by "The Lost Missile." After he retired as a policeman in 1960, he worked as a disc jockey and a real estate agent while acting in the local community theater. His big break came in 1968 when he was cast in "Hawaii Five-O" and remained one of the regulars until his character was killed at the end of the 10th season in 1978. His other uncredited film roles include "Cry for Happy" (1961), "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" (1961), "Seven Women from Hell" (1961), and "Diamond Head" (1963). He also appeared in the 1997 CBS television movie "Hawaii Five-O" reprising his original role from the television series by the same name. He died at the age of 84.
Actor. He is best remembered for his role as detective 'Chin Ho Kelly' on the CBS television crime drama series "Hawaii Five-O" that aired from September 1968 until April 1980. Born Kam Tong Chun, he worked at the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii shipyard after graduating from high school in 1938 and was a witness to the Japanese surprise attack on December 7, 1941, which launched the US into World War II. In 1944 he began working as a police officer on the Honolulu Police Department. In 1958 he had a small role in his first film, "Ghost of the China Sea" followed by "The Lost Missile." After he retired as a policeman in 1960, he worked as a disc jockey and a real estate agent while acting in the local community theater. His big break came in 1968 when he was cast in "Hawaii Five-O" and remained one of the regulars until his character was killed at the end of the 10th season in 1978. His other uncredited film roles include "Cry for Happy" (1961), "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" (1961), "Seven Women from Hell" (1961), and "Diamond Head" (1963). He also appeared in the 1997 CBS television movie "Hawaii Five-O" reprising his original role from the television series by the same name. He died at the age of 84.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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