Iconic Martial Artist Who Played Unforgettable Role in 'Big Trouble in Little China' and Championed Film Industry Dies in His Sleep At 73
Peter Kwong was one of the stars of the cult classic 'Big Trouble in Little China.'
May 29 2025, Published 2:38 p.m. ET
Actor Peter Kwong has died at age 73 after a career that saw him stun audiences in John Carpenter's much-loved Big Trouble in Little China.
The star passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday night, RadarOnline.com can confirm. A cause of death has not been released yet.
Fan Favorite
Kwong's last Instagram post came just a week ago.
He was a fan favorite for playing Rain, one of the three super-powered fighters in the 1986 action flick, a film that bombed at the box office but later became a cult sensation.
Born in 1950, Kwong kicked off his career on TV in the late 1970s, landing roles on popular shows such as Wonder Woman, Little House on the Prairie, Miami Vice, and The A-Team.
His big screen debut came with 1977’s drama Panic in Echo Park.
Kwong's career crossed into the 1980s and beyond with appearances on TV shows such as The Wayans Brothers, Malcolm & Eddie, My Wife and Kids, and Drake & Josh. One of his final appearances was a 2020 episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Big Break
Kwong's breakout year was 1986.
He played Tommy Tong alongside Eddie Murphy in The Golden Child, then scored his iconic role as Rain in Big Trouble in Little China, starring alongside Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall.
Kwong said about the role: "The character of Rain was something special. The fight choreography, the costume, it all came together in a way that stuck with people."
That same year, he also appeared in the action-packed Never Too Young to Die with John Stamos.
In 2023, Kwong was given the Snow Leopard Award for Outstanding Cinematic Achievement at the Asian World Film Festival.
Union Man
Kwong left a major mark in Hollywood.
Offscreen, he was a heavyweight in Hollywood’s unions, serving for more than a decade on the Screen Actors Guild National Board and working with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
He also held leadership roles with the Television Academy and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Kwong was preparing to meet fans next month at the Duke City Comic Con in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and recently promoted the event on his Instagram, sharing he was "looking forward" to it.
His final post came just one week ago, when he shared a carousel of snaps from a fashion exhibition of designer Sue Wong.
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He attended the premier for Emilia Perez in October
After news of his death was released, fans and friends flooded social media with remembrances.
One pal wrote: "Very sad news that Peter Kwong passed away in his sleep Tuesday night. He was a great supporter of everything. I always ran into him at Academy events, and it was a joyous occasion. He attended every makeup and hair event as he loved it so.
"Such a great loss to everyone who knew him. RIP Peter, we will miss you greatly."
His agent, Theo Caesar, confirmed the death to and noted his client was "a great guy."
Actress Lydia Cornell revealed she was just about to shoot a movie with Kwong, adding: "Rest in peace, Peter. There is no death, only infinite Love."
