Haing S. Ngor

Haing S. Ngor

1940-03-22 – 1996-02-25 (age 55)
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Biography

​Dr. Haing Somnang Ngor (March 22, 1940 – February 25, 1996) was a Cambodian-born American physician, actor, and author who is best known for winning the 1985 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his debut performance in the movie The Killing Fields, in which he portrayed Cambodian journalist and refugee Dith Pran. His mother was Khmer and his father was of Chinese descent. Ngor and Harold Russell are the only two non-professional actors to win an Academy Award in an acting category.

Ngor and his close friend Jack Ong established the Dr. Haing S. Ngor Foundation to assist in raising funds for Cambodian aid. As part of his humanitarian efforts, Ngor built an elementary school and operated a small sawmill that provided jobs and an income for local families.

On February 25, 1996, he was shot and killed outside his home in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Three alleged members of the "Oriental Lazy Boyz" street gang, who had prior arrests for snatching purses and jewelry, were charged with the murder. They were tried together in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, though their cases were heard by three separate juries. Prosecutors argued that they killed Ngor because, after handing over his gold Rolex watch willingly, he refused to give them a locket that contained a photo of his late wife, My-Huoy.

All of the defendants were found guilty on April 16, 1998, the same day Pol Pot's death was confirmed in Cambodia. Tak Sun Tan was sentenced to 56 years to life; Indra Lim to 26 years to life; and Jason Chan to life sentence without parole.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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Known For

The Killing Fields
The Killing Fields

1984

as Dith Pran

Heaven & Earth
Heaven & Earth

1993

as Papa

Eastern Condors
Eastern Condors

1987

as Yeung Lung

My Life
My Life

1993

as Mr. Ho

Hit Me
Hit Me

1996

as Billy Tungpet

Ambition
Ambition

1991

as Tatay

Fortunes of War
Fortunes of War

1994

as Khoy Thuon

Earth and the American Dream
Earth and the American Dream

1992

as Reader (voice)

The Kinmen Bombs
In Love and War
In Love and War

1987

as Major Bui

Vanishing Son
Vanishing Son

1994

as The General

Vanishing Son IV
Vanishing Son IV

1994

as The General

Vietnam Texas
Vietnam Texas

1990

as Wong

Vanishing Son III
Vanishing Son III

1994

as The General

The Iron Triangle
The Iron Triangle

1989

as Col. Tuong, NVA

🎦
Last Flight Out

1990

as Pham Van Minh

Vanishing Son II
Vanishing Son II

1994

as The General

The Dragon Gate
The Dragon Gate

1994

as Sensei

The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor
The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor

2015

as Self (archive footage)

Casino Cambodia
Casino Cambodia

2026

as Self