Gedde Watanabe was born on June 26, 1955 in Ogden, Utah, USA as Gary Watanabe. He is an actor, known for Mulan (1998), Sixteen Candles (1984) and Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990).
My ethnicity works both for and against me. But I look for parts that aren't necessarily Asian, parts that can be played by someone of any background.
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Fact
1
In his role in the original cast of the Stephen Sondheim musical, "Pacific Overtures", he performed the song, "Someone in a Tree". Watanabe is arguably best-known as the character, "Long Duk Dong", from Sixteen Candles (1984), in which he famously leaped out of a tree and onto Michael Schoeffling's character, "Jake".
2
His mother was interned by the United States during World War II.
3
Grew up in San Francisco's Chinatown.
4
Began his show business career as a street singer.
5
In his audition for the film Sixteen Candles (1984), he went through the entire process pretending he did not speak any English, imitating a Korean friend. After he was finished, he eloquently thanked the casting director in perfect English. He was soon cast.
6
For Mulan (1998), he had another person do his singing voice because his own voice was too good.
7
Studied at American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, California, USA.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
UDrive Me
TV Series pre-production
George (2016)
The Last Word
2017
Louie the gardener
Bravest Warriors
2014
TV Series
Hamster Mitch
47 Ronin
2013
Troupe Leader (Kabuki Actor)
Parental Guidance
2012
Mr. Cheng
The Seven Year Hitch
2012
TV Movie
Mr. Fujimura
Proposition 8 Trial Re-Enactment
2010
TV Series documentary
Hak-Sing William Tam
All Ages Night
2009
Dead Head Fred
Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword
2009
Video
Kenji (voice)
Not Forgotten
2009
Agent Nakamura
American Dad!
2008
TV Series
Chicken Hatchery Manager
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
2008
Hotel Manager
The Onion Movie
2008
James Nakatami
All Grown Up!
2005-2007
TV Series
Nar-do / Nar-Do, Cyber Clause
Kim Possible
2002-2007
TV Series
Professor Bob Chen
Sunny & Share Love You
2007
Eliza's Dad, The Doctor
Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+
2007
Video Game
Ling (English version, voice)
Fortune Hunters
2007
Short
Mr. Yu
Family Guy
2006
TV Series
Long Duk Dong
Model Family
2006
TV Short
Terrence
Kingdom Hearts II
2005
Video Game
Ling (English version, voice)
Two for the Money
2005
Milton
Everwood
2005
TV Series
Art
Mulan II
2004
Video
Ling (voice)
Alfie
2004
Wing
On the Couch
2004
Short
Charlie
ER
1997-2003
TV Series
Nurse Yosh Takata
What's New, Scooby-Doo?
2003
TV Series
Vincent Wong
My Wife and Kids
2002
TV Series
Dr. Phil Ling
L.A. Law: The Movie
2002
TV Movie
Cyril
Slackers
2002
Japanese Proctor
The Proud Family
2001
TV Series
Mr. Min
Jackie Chan Adventures
2001
TV Series
Gangster 1
Thank You, Good Night
2001
Cafe Owner
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
2000
TV Series
Kenji
Batman Beyond
1999-2000
TV Series
Dr. Suzuki / Principal
Secret Agent Man
2000
TV Series
Ling #2
The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald: The Visitors from Outer Space
1999
Video short
Karate Master (voice)
Rugrats
1998-1999
TV Series
Zack / Kangaroo
The Simpsons
1997-1999
TV Series
Japanese Father / Factory Foreman
Edtv
1999
Greg
Home Improvement
1999
TV Series
Nobo Nakamura
Frank in Five
1999
Short
Waiter
Guinevere
1999
Ed
Mulan Story Studio
1998
Video Game
Ling (voice)
Armageddon
1998
Asian Tourist (uncredited)
Mulan
1998
Ling (voice)
Psycho Sushi
1997
Yoshi
The Weird Al Show
1997
TV Series
Kuni
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995-1997
TV Series
Nuri / Emperor
Booty Call
1997
Chan (uncredited)
Nick and Jane
1997
Enzo
Seinfeld
1996
TV Series
Mr. Oh
Mad About You
1996
TV Series
Speech Writer
That Thing You Do!
1996
Play-Tone Photographer
Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man
1996
TV Series
Perfect Alibi
1995
Det. Onoda
Boys on the Side
1995
Steve (as Gede Watanabe)
Count on Me
1994
TV Movie
Miss America: Behind the Crown
1992
TV Movie
Takeo (uncredited)
Pacific Station
1991
TV Series
Ram Sha
Down Home
1990-1991
TV Series
Tran
Sesame Street
1991
TV Series
Hiroshi
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
1990
Mr. Katsuji
Newhart
1990
TV Series
Mr. Tagadachi
Murphy Brown
1990
TV Series
Guru Prem
Grand
1990
TV Series
Taki Mifune
On the Television
1990
TV Series
Various
The Spring
1989
Matty
Booker
1989
TV Series
Max
UHF
1989
Kuni
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter
1987
TV Series
Ho Hum
Gung Ho
1986-1987
TV Series
Kaz Kazuhiro
Vamp
1986
Duncan
Gung Ho
1986
Oishi Kazihiro
Volunteers
1985
At Toon
Sixteen Candles
1984
Long Duk Dong
The Long Island Four
1980
A Life at Stake
1978
TV Series
Pacific Overtures
1976
TV Movie
Priest / Girl / Boy
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mulan II
2004
Video performer: "A Girl Worth Fighting For Redux"
Pacific Overtures
1976
TV Movie performer: "Chrysanthemum Tea", "Welcome To Kanagawa", "Someone In A Tree"