Layne Tom Jr., a Son of Charlie Chan in Three Films, Dies at 87
He was not on the list.
He appeared alongside Warner Oland and Sidney Toler in the
popular crime mysteries. His daughter is fitness expert Kiana Tom.
Layne Tom Jr., who played a son of Charlie Chan in three
movie mysteries featuring the fictional and famous Honolulu-born detective, has
died. He was 87.
Tom, said to be the only "son" to work alongside
both Charlie Chan portrayers Warner Oland and Sidney Toler, died Jan. 14 in his
home in Huntington Beach, Calif., his family announced.
Tom first appeared in the popular crime series opposite
Oland in Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937) as Charlie Chan Jr. The story,
with the Berlin Summer Games as its backdrop, had his brother, No. 1 son Lee
Chan (Keye Luke), competing as a swimmer.
Tom then played Tommy in Charlie Chan in Honolulu (1938) and
Willie in Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise (1940), with Toler serving as the title
sleuth in those films.
The young Tom also appeared in such features as The Good
Earth (1937) opposite Paul Muni and Luise Rainer; The Hurricane (1937) with
Dorothy Lamour and Raymond Massey; Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) starring
Jimmy Stewart; and Lady of the Tropics (1939) with Robert Taylor and Hedy
Lamarr. He was an uncredited extra in San Francisco (1936) with stars Clark
Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, and Spencer Tracy.
Later, he also showed up on TV in Adventures in Paradise,
Hawaiian Eye and The Barbara Stanwyck Show.
Born Richard Layne Tom in Los Angeles on June 29, 1927, he
served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS West Virginia and graduated from USC
with a degree in architecture.
He designed the flagship Bank of America building in Los
Angeles' Chinatown as well as numerous fire stations, banks, courthouses,
libraries, shopping centers, civic centers and his own home in Huntington
Harbour, his family said.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Marilynn, daughters
Laurie and Kiana (a fitness expert, former Los Angeles Raiderette and host of
TV's Kiana's Flex Appeal) and grandchildren Steven, Anelalani and Kiana.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1936 Stowaway Chinese Boy in Musical Band Uncredited
1937 The Hurricane
Mako
1937 Charlie Chan
at the Olympics Charlie Chan Jr.
1937 The Good
Earth Chinese Boy Uncredited
1937 Daughter of
Shanghai (1937) aka Daughter of the Orient (UK) Chinese Candy Vendor Uncredited
1938 Shadows Over
Shanghai Chinese Boy at
School Uncredited
1938 Charlie Chan
in Honolulu Tommy Chan
1939 Mr. Smith
Goes to Washington Boy Ranger Uncredited
1940 Charlie
Chan's Murder Cruise Willie Chan
1945 China Sky Uncredited
2006 The Legacy of
Charlie Chan Himself Video documentary short
2006 Layne Tom,
Jr: The Adventures of Charlie Chan, Jr. Himself
Video documentary short
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