China Lee (born Margaret Lee; September 2, 1942) is an American model and actress. She was Playboy's Playmate of the Month for the August 1964 issue and the first Asian American Playmate. Her centerfold was photographed by Pompeo Posar.[1] According to her Playmate profile, her name is pronounced "chee-na" to rhyme with "Tina".
| China Lee | |
|---|---|
| Playboy centerfold appearance | |
| August 1964 | |
| Preceded by | Melba Ogle |
| Succeeded by | Astrid Schulz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Margaret Lee September 2, 1942 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 4.5 in (164 cm) |
Early life
editLee was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Chinese parents who immigrated to the United States after marriage. The family-owned a laundry and, later, a much-lauded restaurant. She is the youngest of eight children and the younger sister of Harry Lee, who served as the sheriff of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana for about 28 years.[2] The name "China" is derived from the nickname "Chinita" ("little Chinese girl") bestowed on her by Spanish-speaking neighbors who admired her dancing as a child.
Career
editLee worked as a hairstylist and waitress, then as a Playboy Bunny, before appearing in Playboy. She had been a "Training Bunny," which required her to travel to different Playboy Clubs to teach prospective Bunnies their duties.
Lee appeared at the end of Woody Allen's What's Up, Tiger Lily?, performing a striptease.
Personal life
editLee married comedian Mort Sahl in 1967. They divorced in 1991. Their only child, Mort Sahl, Jr., died on March 27, 1996, at the age of 19.[3]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | The Troublemaker | The Hooker | |
| 1965 | Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine | Robot | |
| 1966 | Harper | Dancer | Uncredited |
| 1966 | Paradise, Hawaiian Style | Girl | Uncredited |
| 1966 | What's Up, Tiger Lily? | Dancer in Credits | Uncredited |
| 1966 | The Swinger | Model | Uncredited |
| 1967 | The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. | Vivian | Episode: "The Double-O-Nothing Affair" |
| 1967 | Good Times | Mordicus' Girl | |
| 1967 | Don't Make Waves | Waitress | Uncredited |
| 1969 | Medium Cool | Roller Derby Patron | (final film role) |
References
edit- ^ "Playmate data". Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Feng, Rex (November 12, 2007). "Showdown With The 'Chinese Cowboy': Wrangling with the legacy of late Louisiana Sheriff Harry Lee". AsianWeek. ISSN 0195-2056. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012.
- ^ Archerd, Army (June 21, 1996). "Copperfield Act Could Blow Away Auds". Variety. ISSN 0042-2738.