Mr Chow is a fictional character portrayed by Ken Jeong in the popular Hangover movie franchise. Though his ethnicity is never explicitly stated in the films, there are clues that suggest Mr Chow is likely of Chinese descent. In this article, we’ll examine the evidence to determine what ethnicity Mr Chow most likely is.
Background on Mr Chow
Mr Chow first appears in the 2009 comedy The Hangover as a flamboyant Chinese gangster living in Las Vegas. He has interactions with the main characters Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug when they lose Doug after a bachelor party and try to find him. Mr Chow is portrayed as unpredictable and dangerous, but also quite funny.
He reappears in the two Hangover sequels, The Hangover Part II (2011) and The Hangover Part III (2013). In the second film, the guys encounter him again in Thailand. The third film revolves around the main characters having to find Mr Chow after he escapes from prison. Across the three films, Ken Jeong delivers an over-the-top performance as the uncensored and wild Mr Chow.
Evidence of Chinese Ethnicity
While Mr Chow’s ethnicity is never explicitly confirmed, there are several contextual clues that point to him most likely being Chinese:
His Name
Mr Chow is a common Cantonese surname, providing initial evidence that the character is likely intended to be Chinese. Chow is a romanization of the Chinese surnames Zhou (Mandarin) and Chau (Cantonese). His full name Leslie Chow also uses typical Chinese naming conventions, with the surname Chow coming first.
He Speaks Mandarin Chinese
In The Hangover Part II, Mr Chow speaks Mandarin Chinese several times when interacting with other Chinese characters. He speaks it very fluently, indicating he either is a native speaker or learned it from a very young age. His command of the language aligns with him being ethnically Chinese.
He Operates in Chinese Communities
Mr Chow is shown embedded in Chinese communities and criminal networks in both Las Vegas and Bangkok. He runs his operations and recruits his henchmen from within the local Chinese populations in these cities. This suggests he is most likely part of these ethnic communities himself.
Stereotypical Portrayal of a Chinese Gangster
Mr Chow exhibits many stereotypical traits that align with portrayals of Chinese gangsters in American media and pop culture. This includes his ostentatious fashion, wild personality, and involvement with gambling, drugs, and organized crime. The filmmakers seem to have modeled him after the archetype of a Chinese mob boss.
Casting of Ken Jeong
Ken Jeong, the actor who plays Mr Chow, has Korean heritage himself. While not Chinese, Jeong’s Asian ethnicity matches well with Mr Chow’s likely ethnic background. The filmmakers intentionally chose an Asian actor for the role.
Other Evidence and Counterpoints
There are also some details about Mr Chow that do not necessarily point to him being ethnically Chinese:
Unclear Origins
Mr Chow’s birthplace and early life are never revealed. It’s possible he could have been adopted or born outside of China to non-Chinese parents. His backstory is left ambiguous.
Speaks English Fluently
While he speaks Mandarin Chinese, Mr Chow converses with the main characters comfortably in English, indicating he may have grown up bilingual or immersed in English from a young age. This leaves his origins more uncertain.
Exaggerated Characterization
As an outrageous and cartoonish character, it’s possible Mr Chow’s ethnicity and background were exaggerated simply for comedic effect and cultural references. So some details may not reflect realism or consistency.
Actor’s Korean Heritage
Ken Jeong is Korean-American, so there is a discrepancy between the actor’s real background and the character’s likely Chinese ethnicity. But actors playing roles of different ethnicities is common in Hollywood.
Conclusion on Mr Chow’s Ethnicity
Despite a few ambiguities, the preponderance of evidence strongly suggests that the character of Mr Chow is intended to be of Chinese ethnicity. This is supported by:
- His name Leslie Chow
- His ability to speak native-level Mandarin Chinese
- His immersion in Chinese communities and criminal organizations
- Parallels to archetypal Chinese gangster tropes in American media
- Casting of an Asian actor (Ken Jeong)
While minor details like his place of origin are unclear, the filmmakers provide enough context clues to indicate Mr Chow’s cultural background and identity are Chinese. The character draws on multiple Chinese stereotypes for humor and cultural references that rely on him being ethnically Chinese. So in conclusion, examining available evidence leads to the assessment that Mr Chow can reasonably be considered as having Chinese ethnicity.
References
Cast Information
| Actor | Ken Jeong |
| Character | Leslie Chow |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Korean |
Film Details
| Movie Franchise | The Hangover Trilogy |
| Films Appeared In | The Hangover (2009), The Hangover Part II (2011), The Hangover Part III (2013) |
| Directors | Todd Phillips |
| Writers | Jon Lucas, Scott Moore |
Mr Chow Film Quotes
| The Hangover (2009) | “Did you guys know that tigers love pepper? They hate cinnamon.” |
| The Hangover Part II (2011) | “Monkeys and rabbits loop-de-loop.” |
| The Hangover Part III (2013) | “I once had sex with Eartha Kitt in an airplane bathroom.” |
Further Analysis
Mr Chow represents broader trends in how Asian Americans, particularly Chinese Americans, have been depicted in mainstream American film and television. Some additional analysis:
Comedic Asian Stereotyping
Mr Chow fits into a history of comedic Asian characters depicted through ethnic stereotypes, often with exaggerated accents and mannerisms. This includes Mickey Rooney’s controversial portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Mr Chow continues this questionable tradition of utilizing “otherness” for humor.
Chinese Gangster Trope
Portraying Chinese people as menacing gangsters and triad members has been a common racist Hollywood trope since early cinema. Mr Chow embodies this stereotype for narrative and comedic purposes as an Asian criminal foil to the white protagonists.
Lack of Nuanced Chinese Characters
While extreme and narrowly-depicted Chinese caricatures like Mr Chow have historically been prevalent, nuanced and humanized Chinese and Asian characters are still rare in American film. Mr Chow illustrates broader issues of representation.
Success Despite Stereotyping
Though relying on ethnic exaggeration and stereotyping, Mr Chow proved extremely popular with audiences. This perhaps shows mainstream tolerance for racial insensitivity in comedy persists despite calls for better representation.
Impact and Legacy
For all the criticism of Mr Chow’s depiction, Ken Jeong’s performance became iconic. Some impacts:
Breakout Role for Ken Jeong
The outrageous Mr Chow catapulted Jeong from a comic niche into major fame. He went on to star in the sitcom Community and appear in many films. It became his signature breakout part.
Influential Comic Persona
Mr Chow’s wild, unpredictable personality and look influenced other funny Asian characterizations. He paved the way for figures like Kim Jong-un in The Interview.
Cultural Touchstone
Quotes like “Toodaloo, motherf***ers!” and Chow’s dramatic entrances/exits became pop culture staples. He remains a recognizable reference point.
Asian Representation Issues Persist
Despite Mr Chow’s success, Hollywood is still criticized for limited Asian representation and reliance on stereotypes for opportunities. But more nuanced Asian roles are also emerging.
Conclusion
In summary, analysis indicates the popular Hangover character Mr Chow was likely conceived as having Chinese ethnicity by the filmmakers. This is supported by his name, language abilities, immersion in Chinese communities, embodying of archetypal Chinese gangster tropes, and casting of an Asian actor. While some ambiguity exists and broader issues of representation arise, Mr Chow offered a breakthrough comedic performance that resonated with audiences. His cultural legacy remains complex and debated.
