Herbert Tsangtse Kwouk (/kwɒk/; Chinese: 郭弼; 18 July 1930 – 24 May 2016) was a British actor. He played Cato in the Pink Panther films. He made appearances in many television programmes, including a portrayal of Imperial Japanese Army Major Yamauchi in the British drama series Tenko, as Entwistle in Last of the Summer Wine and as himself in the Harry Hill Show.
Burt Kwouk | |
|---|---|
 Kwouk in The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968) | |
| Born | Herbert Tsangtse Kwouk[1] 郭弼 18 July 1930 Warrington, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 24 May 2016 (aged 85) |
| Years active | 1957–2012 |
| Spouse |
Caroline Tebbs (m. 1961) |
| Children | 1 |
| Burt Kwouk | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 郭弼 | ||||||||||||||
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Early life
editKwouk was born on 18 July 1930 in Warrington,[1][2] Lancashire, while his Chinese parents were on a business trip touring Europe. He was brought up in Shanghai, where his father, descended from a Tang dynasty general, was a textile tycoon.[1][3] Between the ages of 12 and 16, he attended the Shanghai Jesuit Mission School, which he described as "the Far East equivalent" of Eton College.[1] He left China in 1947 when his parents returned to Britain, and was sent to the United States to complete his education.[4] In 1953, he graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.[5] The Kwouk family fortune was lost in the Chinese communist revolution in the 1940s. In 1954, he returned to Britain, where a girlfriend "nagged [him] into acting".[4]
Career
editKwouk made his film debut with an uncredited part in Windom's Way (1957). His next film role in The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958) was described as his "big break"; Kwouk featured as the leader of a prison revolt who later aids the main starring character Gladys Aylward (Ingrid Bergman) in heroically leading orphans to safety.[6]
Kwouk was best known for playing Cato Fong, Inspector Clouseau's manservant, in the Pink Panther film series. The character was first introduced in A Shot in the Dark (1964), the second film in the series, and was a role that Kwouk would reprise on another six occasions until the 2006 series reboot. The Pink Panther series used a running gag; Cato was ordered to attack Clouseau when he least expected it to keep Clouseau alert, usually resulting in a ruined romantic encounter or Clouseau's flat being damaged or destroyed. Amidst the chaos, the phone would ring and Cato would calmly answer it before dutifully handing the phone to Clouseau who would then give Cato a final assault.[7]
He was a stalwart of several 1960s ITC television series, such as Danger Man, The Saint and Man of the World, when an oriental character was required. He appeared in the episode "Assault Force" in Return of the Saint. Kwouk also featured as one of the leads in the short-lived series The Sentimental Agent (1963)[8] and had minor roles in three James Bond films. In Goldfinger (1964), he played Mr Ling, a Chinese expert in nuclear fission; in the non-Ian Fleming spoof Casino Royale (1967), he played a general; in You Only Live Twice (1967), Kwouk is a Japanese operative of Blofeld, credited as Spectre 3.[9] He also appeared with Laurence Olivier and Anthony Quinn in The Shoes of the Fisherman.
A reference to Kwouk's appearances in several films as Cato with Peter Sellers is found in the opening scene of Seller's last film, The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980) where Sellers, as Fu Manchu says to him "your face is familiar."[10] His next major role was as the honourable but misguided Major Yamauchi in the BBC World War II television drama Tenko (1981–1984). Kwouk featured in many British television productions that called for an Oriental actor.[11] As a result, he became a well-known face in the United Kingdom and appeared as himself in the Harry Hill Show, in addition to supporting several of Hill's live tours.[12] Kwouk had a guest role in Super Gran in 1985, appearing as himself in the episode "Super Gran and the TV Villains". He also played a supportive role in the 1985 RKO film Plenty, portraying a Burmese diplomat at a dinner party.
In 2000, Kwouk appeared in an episode of the syndicated western TV series Queen of Swords as Master Kiyomasa, an aged Japanese warrior-priest; Sung-Hi Lee played his female pupil, Kami.[13] He provided voice-overs on the spoof Japanese betting show Banzai (2001–2004)[14] and subsequently appeared in adverts for the betting company, Bet365.[15] From 2002 to 2010 Kwouk had a regular role as one of the three main characters in the long-running BBC series Last of the Summer Wine, featuring as 'Electrical' Entwistle. His later work also included voice acting for radio drama, video games,[16] and television commercials.[17]
Personal life
editKwouk married Caroline Tebbs in Wandsworth, London, in the summer of 1961.[18] Their son was born in 1974.[19] Kwouk was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to drama.[20][21] In later years, he lived in Hampstead, London.
Death
editKwouk died on 24 May 2016 at the age of 85, from cancer, at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead.[22][23] He was buried at Golders Green Crematorium.[24]
Selected filmography
editFilm
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Hancock's Half Hour | 1st Japanese | Episode: "How to Win Money and Influence People" |
| 1961–1965 | The Avengers | Various | 3 episodes |
| 1961–1967 | Danger Man | 5 episodes | |
| 1961 | The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theater | Captain Feng | Episode: "The Sinister Man" |
| 1962 | Man of the World | Liu | Episode: "The Frontier" |
| 1963 | Compact | Chinese Waiter | Episode: "Chicken and Champange" |
| The Sentimental Agent | Chin | 12 episodes | |
| 1965–1968 | The Saint | Various | 3 episodes |
| 1965 | Out of the Unknown | Novee | Episode: "Sucker Bait" |
| 1966 | BBC Play of the Month | Wu Hsien Cheng | Episode: "The Devil's Eggshell" |
| 1967 | The Champions | Chinese Major | Episode: "The Beginning" |
| 1967–1969 | Callan | Robert E. Lee/Tao Tsing | 2 episodes |
| 1970 | The Misfit | Barman | Episode: "On Being British" |
| 1971 | ITV Playhouse | The Prisoner | Episode: "The Switch" |
| 1972 | Shirley's World | Shunji | 2 episodes |
| Jason King | Lee Chang | Episode: "Every Picture Tells a Story" | |
| 1972–1973 | The Adventurer | Johnny Morrison/Taiho | 2 episodes |
| 1975 | Whodunnit? | Dr. Ling | Episode: "Evidence of Death" |
| 1975–1976 | Lucky Feller | Chinese Waiter/Wedding Guest | 3 episodes |
| 1976 | Yes, Honestly | Ning Ning | Episode: "Black and White and Red All Over" |
| The Melting Pot | 4 episodes | ||
| 1976–1978 | The Water Margin | Narrator | English dub |
| 1977 | Warship | Foreign Minister Zee Khay Lim | Episode: "Diplomatic Package" |
| 1977–1978 | It Ain't Half Hot Mum | Me Thant | 2 episodes |
| 1978 | The Tomorrow People | Matsu Tan | Serial: "The Lost Gods" |
| Return of the Saint | Chula | Episode: "Assault Force" | |
| 1978–1979 | Monkey Magic | Narrator | English dub |
| 1979 | Robin's Nest | Barman | Episode: "Sorry Partner" |
| 1980 | Keep It in the Family | Japanese Juror/Maitre 'd | 2 episodes |
| Shoestring | Mr. Wing | Episode: "The Dangerous Game" | |
| Minder | Sojo | Episode: "A Nice Little Wine" | |
| 1981–1984 | Tenko | Major Yamauchi | 19 episodes |
| 1982 | Doctor Who | Lin Futu | Serial: "Four to Doomsday" |
| 1983 | Hart to Hart | Toshi | Episode: "Passing Chance" |
| 1984 | Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense | Lee | Episode: "Mark of the Devil" |
| 1986–1987 | Tickle on the Tum | Willie Wok | 2 episodes |
| 1987 | Howards' Way | Lee | 3 episodes |
| T-Bag Bounces Back | Hi Hatt | Episode: "Hi Hatt Bounces Back" | |
| 1988 | Noble House | Phillip Chen | Miniseries |
| 1989 | Boon | Van Der Haan | Episode: "The Not So Lone Ranger" |
| 1991 | The House of Eliott | Peter Lo Chen | 3 episodes |
| 1992–1993 | Lovejoy | Banker/Mr. Ying | 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Space Precinct | Slik Ostrasky | Episode: "Protect and Survive" |
| 1995 | Bullet to Beijing | Kim Soo | TV film |
| 1997–2000 | The Harry Hill Show | Himself | |
| 2000 | Arabian Nights | Caliph Beder | Miniseries |
| 2001 | Queen of Swords | Master Kiyomassa | Episode: "The Dragon" |
| Banzai | Narrator | ||
| 2002–2010 | Last of the Summer Wine | George Entwhistle | Seasons 24-31 |
| 2003–2005 | The Bill | Various | 3 episodes |
| 2005 | Judge John Deed | Professor Vang Pao | Episode: "Seperation of Powers" |
| 2006 | Silent Witness | Jimmy Han | Episode: "Cargo" |
| Doctors | Mr. Chiang | Episode: "Sleepless in Selly Heath" | |
| 2008 | Honest | Mr. Hong | Miniseries |
| 2009 | Spirit Warriors | Shen | 4 episodes |
| 2012 | Whatever Happened to Harry Hill | Himself |
Audio theatre
edit- Doctor Who: Loups-Garoux (2001) as Doctor Hayashi[25]
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Fire Warrior | El'Lusha |
| EyeToy: Play | Notes |
Miscellaneous
edit- Film trailer – Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974) as Asian Voiceover Announcer
- A 17-minute interview with Burt Kwouk from 2010 about his appearances in ITC shows is featured on the Network DVD The Sentimental Agent.[26]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 "Burt Kwouk, actor – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ↑ England & Wales, Birth Index, 1916–2005: Registration district: Manchester South; Inferred County: Cheshire; Volume Number: 8d; Page Number: 40
- ↑ "Obituary: Burt Kwouk". BBC News. 24 May 2016.
- 1 2 "Not Now, Cato! OBE for Pink Panther Star Kwouk". Press Association Regional Newswire – North West. 1 January 2011.
- ↑ "Actor Burt Kwouk '53 Receives Honor from English Crown". Bowdoin College. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ↑ "Kwouk, Burt (1930-2016) biography". BFI. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ↑ "Obituary: Burt Kwouk, actor". The Scotsman. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ↑ "Burt Kwouk, Cato in the Pink Panther films – a life in pictures". The Guardian. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ↑ "Burt Kwouk". Bond Scenes. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ↑ Lewis, Roger (16 February 1995). The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Arrow. p. 797. ISBN 978-0099747000.
- ↑ "Obituary: Burt Kwouk". BBC News. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ↑ "Burt Kwouk dies aged 85". BBC News. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ↑ Terrace, Vincent (14 October 2002). Crime Fighting Heroes of Television: Over 10,000 Facts from 151 Shows, 1949–2001. McFarland & Co. p. 62. ISBN 978-0786413959.
- ↑ Tang, Irwin (24 July 2003). "Fox's 'Banzai' Premieres to Protests". New America Media. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
- ↑ "Burt Kwouk stars in Euro 2008 betting ad". The Guardian. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ↑ "Spirit Warriors". BBC. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ↑ Ronald Bergan (24 May 2016). "Burt Kwouk obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ↑ England & Wales Marriage Index, 1916–2005; Date of Registration: Jul–Aug–Sep 1961; Registration district: Wandsworth; Inferred County: Surrey; Volume Number: 5d; Page Number: 1975
- ↑ England & Wales, Birth Index, 1916–2005; Registration district: St Pancras; Volume 14; Page 2309
- ↑ "No. 59647". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2010. p. 11.
- ↑ "New Year Honours unveiled". BBC News. 31 December 2010.
- ↑ "Close friend pays tribute to Pink Panther actor Burt Kwouk". 24 May 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Child, Ben (24 May 2016). "Burt Kwouk, Cato from Pink Panther, dies age 85". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/163097740/burt-kwouk/photo
- ↑ "20. Loups-Garoux". Big Finish Productions. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ↑ "Network ON AIR > Sentimental Agent (The) – The Complete Series". Network. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
External links
edit- Burt Kwouk at IMDb
- Burt Kwouk (Aveleyman)
- Burt Kwouk(Kinotv)
- Burt Kwouk discography at Discogs