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There were many other Asians working in the industry, but they were mostly relegated to bit roles and background. As I mentioned, they didn't get the kind of chances white actors were given. Anna May was the only Asian American who broke through, for a variety of reasons that I explore in my book on her. A lot of it had to do with luck and her sheer determination to make it as an actress. Then there were actors like Sessue Hayakawa (Hollywood's first hearthrob) and Kamiyama Sojin, who had successful runs in Hollywood but eventually returned to Japan or made films in Europe. I've written about some of the other Asians in Hollywood during this time here: https://halfcastewoman.substack.com/p/young-hollywood-was-asian

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Katie Gee Salisbury
Katie Gee Salisbury

Written by Katie Gee Salisbury

Author of NOT YOUR CHINA DOLL, a new biography of Anna May Wong, out now from Dutton and Faber. www.notyourchinadoll.com

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