Jessie Taylor
The name of the exchange student in the 1984 film Sixteen Candles is Long Duk Dong, played by Japanese American actor Gedde Watanabe. The character has been criticised as a racist and offensive stereotype of Asian people. However, Watanabe has stated that he did not think the role was stereotypical or racist at the time, reflecting that there were limited opportunities for Asian actors during the 1980s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the exchange student in Sixteen Candles | Long Duk Dong |
| Year of the movie release | 1984 |
| Actor's name | Gedde Watanabe |
| Actor's ethnicity | Japanese American |
| Actor's origin | Ogden, Utah |
| Actor's age in 2024 | 68 |
| Character's ethnicity | Chinese |
| Character's origin | An unidentified Asian country |
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What You'll Learn
Long Duk Dong is a fictional character
The character of Long Duk Dong has been the subject of controversy, with some critics calling him an offensive stereotype of Asian people. His broken English, heavy accent, and bumbled attempts at American catchphrases have been cited as examples of this. Asian Americans have also complained that they were taunted with quotes of his stilted English lines. However, others have defended the character, arguing that he defies stereotypes by finding romantic and social success in the film. Watanabe himself has stated that he did not think the role was racist or stereotypical at the time, but acknowledges that some lines were problematic.
Long Duk Dong's first entrance in the movie is memorable, as he appears upside down, hanging from a top bunk, waggling his eyebrows at the female protagonist. He practices his conversational English throughout the film, often in a comedic manner, such as when he says, "What's happenin', hot stuff?" at his first entrance. He also struggles with American food and calls himself "The Donger." Despite his awkwardness, he finds a love interest in Marlene, an athletic young woman who is physically larger than him.
The impact of Long Duk Dong as a fictional character extended beyond the film. The character became a common source of ridicule for Asian-American students during the 1980s, and his lines were endlessly quoted by teenagers. Watanabe's portrayal of Long Duk Dong was his big Hollywood break, and it led to a successful acting career. However, he also received roles in accented roles and was typecast in similar parts.
In conclusion, Long Duk Dong is a fictional character who has had a lasting impact on popular culture. While some viewers find him offensive, others see him as a comedic relief and a character who defies stereotypes. The controversy surrounding the character has sparked important conversations about racial representation in Hollywood and the portrayal of Asian characters.
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Portrayed by Japanese American actor Gedde Watanabe
Long Duk Dong, the foreign exchange student in Sixteen Candles, was portrayed by Japanese American actor Gedde Watanabe. Watanabe was born and raised in Utah and speaks with an American accent. However, for the role of Long Duk Dong, Watanabe adopted a fake, heavy foreign accent. He prepared for the role by spending time with a friend who had a thick Korean accent and used this accent during his audition. Watanabe recalled, "My training and my teachers had taught me that getting a character is about going for the intention".
Watanabe's portrayal of Long Duk Dong has been criticised as a racist and offensive stereotype of Asian people. The character has been described as "a stain on Hollywood's history of representing Asian characters". However, Watanabe has stated that he did not initially view the character as offensive or stereotypical, reflecting that "there wasn't really anything out there for Asian actors at the time". He acknowledged that some lines were problematic, such as the use of the word "Chinaman".
Despite the controversy, Watanabe's performance as Long Duk Dong was well-received, and the character became a memorable and enduring part of the film. Watanabe's career took off after Sixteen Candles, and he went on to act in movies like Volunteers and Gung Ho. He has also done voice-over work and TV roles, including playing Nurse Yosh on ER.
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Considered a racist caricature of Asian people
Long Duk Dong is the name of the exchange student in the 1984 film Sixteen Candles. The character has been criticised as a racist caricature of Asian people.
Long Duk Dong is a Chinese foreign exchange student who stays with the grandparents of the film's protagonist, Samantha. He is portrayed as having a heavy accent, using broken English, and being mystified by American food. The character has been called out for perpetuating racist stereotypes of Asian people, including the trope of Asian men as socially awkward, sexually inept, and perpetually foreign.
In the film, Long Duk Dong is accompanied by the sound of a gong, has an "uncool" hairstyle, and calls himself "The Donger". He is described as a “grotesque stereotype” and a “stain” on Hollywood's history of representing Asian characters. Asian Americans have complained that they were taunted with quotes of his stilted English lines.
However, some have defended the character, arguing that he defies stereotypes by being a party animal who finds romantic success. Gedde Watanabe, the actor who played Long Duk Dong, has stated that he did not think the role was racist at the time, as opportunities for Asian actors were scarce. Watanabe has since recognised the impact of his portrayal, expressing that he was “a bit naive” about the role and that he now understands how it affected people.
In conclusion, while Sixteen Candles is considered a classic coming-of-age comedy, the character of Long Duk Dong has been criticised as a racist caricature of Asian people, perpetuating offensive stereotypes. While some defend the character and the actor's portrayal, the impact of such portrayals on Asian representation in Hollywood is undeniable.
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Speaks with a heavy accent and uses broken English
In the 1984 film Sixteen Candles, Long Duk Dong is a foreign exchange student who speaks with a heavy accent and uses broken English. The character has been criticized as a racist and offensive stereotype of Asian people.
Portrayed by Japanese-American actor Gedde Watanabe, Long Duk Dong is a Chinese foreign exchange student who stays with the grandparents of the film's protagonist, Samantha, played by Molly Ringwald. Watanabe created the character's accent by taking inspiration from a friend with a thick Korean accent.
Long Duk Dong's first entrance in the film is hanging upside down from a top bunk, waggling his eyebrows at Samantha and trying out his conversational English: "What's happenin', hot stuff?" He practices his English throughout the film, attempting American catchphrases like "Whass happenin', haaht stuff?" with a thick accent and bumbled delivery.
The character has been described as a basest caricature of Asian people, with his heavy accent and broken English contributing to this perception. Asian Americans have complained that they were taunted with quotes of his stilted English lines. However, Watanabe defended his portrayal, arguing that the character also defied stereotypes by getting the girl and being a party animal. He also noted that there were limited opportunities for Asian actors during the 1980s, and he was happy to get his first big paycheck from the film.
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Is a source of ridicule for Asian-American students
Long Duk Dong, played by Gedde Watanabe, is a fictional character in the 1984 American coming-of-age comedy film Sixteen Candles. He is a Chinese foreign exchange student and a supporting character in the film set at a US suburban high school. The character has been called a "potentially offensive stereotype" of Asian people, specifically Asian men. In the film, he appears accompanied by a gong sound, practices his conversational English with others, has an "uncool" hairstyle, is mystified by American food, and calls himself "The Donger".
Long Duk Dong has been described as a "stain" on Hollywood's history of representing Asian characters. The character has been criticised for being a "cringeworthy", racist caricature that perpetuates stereotypes of Asian men as "socially inept", "lecherous but sexually inept losers", and "harmless Charlie Chan" or "mustachioed Fu Manchu" villains. Asian-American students were reportedly ridiculed and called "Donger" after the film's release, and some Asian-American groups decried the character as stereotypical, racist, and part of Hollywood's long history of offensive depictions of Asian men.
However, some critics have argued that the character defies stereotypes. Jamie Clarke, writing about the films of John Hughes in 2007, noted that Long Duk Dong proves himself to be a "party animal" and achieves romantic and social success by the end of the film. Gedde Watanabe, the actor who played Long Duk Dong, initially defended the character, explaining that he played against stereotypes by getting the girl and being "in bliss". Watanabe also noted that there weren't many roles available for Asian actors at the time, and he was happy to get a well-paying job. In an interview for the film's 40th anniversary, Watanabe reflected that he didn't think much about whether the character was offensive at the time, but he later recognised that he was ""a bit naive" about the role and the impact it would have.
In conclusion, while Sixteen Candles and the character of Long Duk Dong have been beloved by many, the film and character have also been criticised for perpetuating offensive stereotypes of Asian people, particularly Asian men, and for being a source of ridicule for Asian-American students in the 1980s.
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Frequently asked questions
Long Duk Dong.
Japanese-American actor Gedde Watanabe.
Long Duk Dong has been called an offensive stereotype of Asian people.
Watanabe said he didn't think the role was racist at the time, but he knew some lines were problematic. In retrospect, he found people quoting the character's lines back to him "almost sweet".
Gedde Watanabe went on to act in movies like Volunteers and Gung Ho.
