Irene Yah-Ling Sun

Irene Yah-Ling Sun (born September 1, 1946) is an American actor. She is best known for her appearance as judoka Myrna Wong in the 1978 film Harper Valley PTA.

Early life

Sun was born on September 1, 1946, in Shanghai, China and raised in Taiwan; her family later moved to Manhattan, where she studied ballet.[1]

Career

Sun made her stage debut as a dancer in Flower Drum Song, followed by The World of Suzie Wong.[1]

Sun was a series regular in the short-lived Khan! (1975), as Anna, the daughter of the titular character (played by Khigh Dhiegh), helping her father solve crimes alongside her brother Kim (played by Evan C. Kim).[2] Other television guest spots include appearances in Hawaii Five-O, The Rockford Files, and Quincy, M.E.

"Chinese Must Go" cap pistol, c.1879–1890; Yoshio Kishi / Irene Yah Ling Sun Collection, Fales Library, New York University

She also helped assemble an extensive collection of memorabilia depicting how Asian Americans have been portrayed in popular culture along with her friend, the film editor, writer, and book dealer Yoshio Kishi. The collection was acquired by the Asian/Pacific/American Studies Program and Institute of New York University in 2003,[3] and a portion was exhibited in 2005 as "Archivist of the 'Yellow Peril'",[4] at NYU (Feb 3 – Jul 31)[5] and MoCA (Aug 16 – Dec 31).[6]

In 2017, Sun appeared in a nonspeaking role (as "Grandma") in a short public service spot commissioned by DDB San Francisco for Energy Upgrade California, directed by Bradley G Munkowitz (GMUNK).[7][8]

Personal life

She is an accomplished chef, specializing in Chinese dishes.[1]

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1976 The QuestChinaTelevision movie/pilot episode for the subsequent television series
1978 The Courage and the PassionTuyet BerkleTelevision movie
Harper Valley PTAMyrna WongCredited as Irene Yah Ling Sun
1983 Inspector PerezLisa SoongTelevision movie
Savage in the OrientTap LeeTelevision movie
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1963 Armstrong Circle TheatreChan Po Lin/Poh LinEpisode: "The Journey of Poh Lin"
The DoctorsNurse Lee ChanEpisode: "So Far from Home"
1966 Preview TonightZooneyEpisode: "The Cliff Dwellers"
1975 Khan!Anna Khan4 episodes
1976 Police WomanPrincess HanakoEpisode: "The Trick Book"
The QuestChinaEpisode: "Welcome to America, Jade Snow"
Hawaii Five-OLee Mei LiuEpisode: "Yes, My Deadly Daughter"
Most WantedNgo Luc LiuEpisode: "The Ten-Percenter"
1977 The Rockford FilesPham Vam MaiEpisode: "New Life, Old Dragons"
Quincy, M.E.Takayo KamuraEpisode: "Touch of Death"
1978 Hawaii Five-OMarla KahuanaEpisode: "Deadly Courier"
The Incredible HulkMay ChuanEpisode: "Another Path"
1980 Hawaii Five-ONadiraEpisode: "The Golden Noose"
Love of LifeKim Soo Ling
1981 The Incredible HulkTamEpisode: "East Winds"
Magnum, P.I.Mitsu McWilliamsEpisode: "The Taking of Dick Williams"
1982 Magnum, P.I.Marissa, the SingerEpisode: "Flashback"
1983 Family TiesTanly NguyenEpisode: "I Gotta Be Ming"
1984 AirwolfNhi HoungEpisode: "Daddy's Gone a Hunt'n"
Call to GloryDieu QuangEpisode: "Go/No Go"
1986 Scarecrow and Mrs. KingTranh SenEpisode: "The Man Who Died Twice"
1991 The New Adam-12Mrs. LeeEpisode: "Trick-or-Treat"
MacGyverLoretta FieldingEpisode: "The Coltons"
Secret BodyguardAunt EdithEpisode: "Secret Bodyguard"
1997 Sunset BeachMrs. Chang8 episodes
2004 The StonesJoanEpisode: "Pilot"

References
  1. Scott, Vernon (March 21, 1975). "Profile: 'Khan' costar thick in Asian charm". Denton Record-Chronicle. UPI. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  2. Scott, Vernon (February 23, 1975). "Khigh Dhiegh: Charlie Chan's Successor?". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  3. "Yoshio Kishi and Irene Yah Ling Sun Collection". Asian/Pacific/American Studies Program and Institute, New York University. August 25, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  4. Hartocollis, Anemona (May 1, 2005). "In a West Side Apartment, a World". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  5. "Archivist of the 'Yellow Peril' (February 3 – July 31, 2005)". Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU. May 15, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  6. ""Yellow Peril", 2005". Museum of Chinese in America. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  7. "Energy Upgrade California". GMUNK. April 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  8. Energy Upgrade California – GMunk on Vimeo
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