Burbank, Calif. - 
(NewMediaWire) - February 18, 2014 - The Martial Arts History Museum is proud to honor the legacy of silent film star Anna May Wong and Hollywood film pioneer Mako Iwamatsu for their significant contributions in paving the way for the Asian community into American cinema.
Inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame, Wong and Mako, although not credited as martial artists, it is their impact and their ability to change people's view of Asians and open the doors for such giants as Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jason Scott Lee and many others.
Anna May Wong was the first Asian American film star and first Asian actress to gain international recognition. A fashion icon, she became a leading actress in both silent and sound films. From such films as Daughter of the Dragon, Shanghai Express and many more, she was able to break the mold of non-Asians playing leading roles designed for Asian actors.
“It was a time when people like Warner Oland was cast to play the starring role of Charlie Chan, Peter Lorre playing Japanese detective Mr. Moto and all of the leading roles in the Chinese film The Good Earth were played by non-Asians. Anna May Wong had to combat the way Hollywood looked at the Asian-American community and force her way into being considered a major player on the silver screen,” notes museum president Michael Matsuda. “Without Wong, it would have taken a lot longer for Asians to be recognized as principal actors.”
Mako Iwamatsu began his acting career in the late 1950s and played principal roles in both film and television. A versatile actor, he demonstrated that he could do both comedy and dramatic roles that was so impressive, he was nominated for an Academy award in the 1966 film, The Sand Pepples. Frustrated by the limited roles for Asians in Hollywood, he and six others founded the East West Players theatre company to combat stereotypes. Mako, as he is mostly known, became the most significant Asian-American actor in Hollywood right up until his passing in 2006.
The Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame is selected only by the previous hall members each year. Ten are inducted into the hall with one additional individual selected for the Contributor's Award “the Funakoshi.” Wong holds that honor this year. This is the only hall recognized by the Museum as the official hall of fame for the community.
For a complete listing of the Museum's Hall of Fame, visit their website at www.Mamuseum.com. The museum is located at 2319 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506.