Richard Lee-Sung obit

R.I.P. Richard Lee-Sung, a M*A*S*H actor who actually served in the Korean War

The Texas native was a bartender in Chinatown before becoming a guest star in the 4077th.

 

He was not on the list.

 

In the 1974 M*A*S*H episode "Officer of the Day," Hawkeye has a lot of luck — well, "Lucks." Multiple locals named "Kim Luck" show up at the 4077th for treatment. Jamie Farr (Klinger) cites it as one of his favorite episodes. It likely held a fond place in the memory of the second Kim in the story, played by Richard Lee-Sung. It was his M*A*S*H debut. 

Lee-Sung would go on to appear in 11 episodes of the iconic dramedy, memorably as a pushy salesman in "Bug Out," as a creative French horn repairman in "The Smell of Music," and running a craps game in "A Night at Rosie's." For the Texas native, it was a step back in time. He had served in the Korean War.

As one of the "Chosen Few," Lee-Sung fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir as a member of the U.S. Marines. Later, he left his hometown of El Paso behind and settled in Los Angeles. There, the man of Mexican-Chinese heritage found work and notoriety in Chinatown. As a bartender at L.A. joints like Tang's and General Lee's, the bald fellow who liked to be called "Curlee" reportedly delighted customers. He would eventually perform as a comic at General Lee's, according to a newspaper profile from 1975.

That summer of '75, Lee-Sung had landed a role as an ensemble player in Keep on Truckin', a short-lived variety show that also cast young talents such as Billy Crystal and Didi Conn. By that point, he had a M*A*S*H appearance under his belt, as well as guest spots on Kung Fu.

As his star began to rise, he nabbed roles in The Apple Dumpling Gang, Happy Days, The Incredible Hulk and The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. His M.A.S.H. ties continued in the '80s, as he popped up in both Trapper John, M.D. and AfterMASH.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, the MASH Matters Podcast posted an announcement from Richard's son Russell on Facebook: "We are deeply saddened to announce that veteran character actor and beloved M*A*S*H guest star Richard Lee Sung passed away at the age of 91 on August 16th, 2021."

"Those [M*A*S*H] roles were some of his best memories as an actor working with an amazing cast, crew and director (Alan Alda) whom he had the highest respect," Russell wrote. He was 91 years old.

 

Actor (41 credits)

 2010 Genghis Khan: The Story of a Lifetime

 2005 Forbidden Warrior

Old Wizard

 1999 Inspector Gadget

Famous Villain with Deadly Hat

 1992 American Me

Restaurant Owner

 1990 Another 48 Hrs.

Arguing Man

 1989 Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders (TV Movie)

Jackie Fong (as Richard Lee Sung)

 1989Beverly Hills Brats

Hse

 1989 Let It Ride

Patron in Chinese Restaurant

 1989 Tour of Duty (TV Series)

Money Player

- Saigon: Part 2 (1989) ... Money Player

 1988 In Dangerous Company

Nguyen

 1988 The New Leave It to Beaver (TV Series)

Mr. Miasma

- Pacific Overture (1988) ... Mr. Miasma

 1986 Firewalker

Chinese Man / The General

 1986 Armed Response

Kenji (as Richard Lee Sung)

 1984Airwolf (TV Series)

Bandit Leader

- Once a Hero (1984) ... Bandit Leader

 1984 AfterMASH (TV Series)

The Restaurant Owner

- Strangers and Other Lovers (1984) ... The Restaurant Owner (as Richard Lee Sung)

 1984 The Jerk, Too (TV Movie)

Hobo Lee

 1983 Manimal (TV Series)

Pit Boss

- Breath of the Dragon (1983) ... Pit Boss

 1982 Quincy M.E. (TV Series)

Funaki

- Sword of Honor, Blade of Death (1982) ... Funaki

 1982 Slapstick of Another Kind

Ambassador's Courier

 1982 Voyagers! (TV Series)

Tartar

- The Travels of Marco... and Friends (1982) ... Tartar

 1982 Archie Bunker's Place (TV Series)

Curly

- Double Date (1982) ... Curly

 1982 Bring 'Em Back Alive (TV Series)

Takata

- There's One Born Every Minute (1982) ... Takata

 1974-1982 M*A*S*H (TV Series)

The Farmer / Peddler #2 / Driver / ...

- That Darn Kid (1982) ... The Farmer

- Snap Judgement (1981) ... Peddler #2

- Good-Bye Radar: Part 1 (1979) ... Driver

- A Night at Rosie's (1979) ... Ham Kim (as Richard Lee Sung)

- The Smell of Music (1978) ... Sang Nu (as Richard Lee Sung)

Show all 11 episodes

 1982 Trapper John, M.D. (TV Series)

Masseur

- Candy Doctor (1982) ... Masseur (as Richard Lee Sung)

 1981 Foul Play (TV Series)

Ha-chu

- The Big Bang (1981) ... Ha-chu

 1981 Fantasy Island (TV Series)

Mongolian Warrior

- The Heroine/The Warrior (1981) ... Mongolian Warrior

 1980 Pink Lady (TV Series)

Shecky Nakamoto

- Episode #1.1 (1980) ... Shecky Nakamoto (uncredited)

 1979 How the West Was Won (TV Series)

The Sentinel

- China Girl (1979) ... The Sentinel

 1979 What's Happening!! (TV Series)

Mr. Wing

- The Eviction (1979) ... Mr. Wing

 1979 Salvage 1 (TV Series)

Insurgent #2

- Shangri-la Lil (1979) ... Insurgent #2

 1978 The Incredible Hulk (TV Series)

Simon Ming

- Another Path (1978) ... Simon Ming

 1977 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (TV Series)

Chu

- The Secret of the Jade Kwan Yin (1977) ... Chu (as Richard Lee Sung)

 1976 Starsky and Hutch (TV Series)

Clint Takahashi

- Murder at Sea Part 2 (1976) ... Clint Takahashi (as Richard Lee Sung)

- Murder at Sea (1976) ... Clint Takahashi (as Richard Lee Sung)

 1976 Happy Days (TV Series)

Terukazu

- Arnold's Wedding (1976) ... Terukazu

 1976 S.W.A.T. (TV Series)

Bouncer

- The Chinese Connection (1976) ... Bouncer

 1975 The Apple Dumpling Gang

Oh So

 1974-1975 Kung Fu (TV Series)

Madam's Guard / Fourth Master

- The Thief of Chendo (1975) ... Madam's Guard

- The Devil's Champion (1974) ... Fourth Master

 1974 Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders (TV Movie)

First Driver

 1974 Dynamite Brothers

Kung Fat

 1973 Lost Horizon

Laughing Man Refueling Plane (uncredited)

 1965 I Spy (TV Series)

Seaman

- Chrysanthemum (1965) ... Seaman