Thats interesting, is good chance she is still alive. As are some of the many kids we only saw briefly. Carla Laemmle who had roles in both the silent Phantom of The Opera and 1931 Dracula is still alive,she is nearly 104!
I thank John about his post regarding Frances Chan. It would be nice to find a verification regarding current status. Hawaii Steve tells me that he has very recently been in contact with a gentleman who played the Chans' baby in "Charlie Chan in Honolulu." No name given, as this gentlemen is very private in his wishes. Layne Tom, Jr. is still alive, as mentioned. As noted, probably some of those who were very young at the time of the films are still with us today.
Aside from Chan family members, how many other actors from the Chan films are still alive? I believe Noel Neill from "Sky Dragon" is still alive, but the number of these actors who are still living and appeared in Chan films must be very small.
Yes Rush I am sure must be at least a couple if not more of the kids still alive. As for actors still alive John, I know Elena Verdugo, also from Sky Dragon is still alive. She played Connie Jackson. She was also in House Of Frankenstein, and a regular on Marcus Welby. We could probably find more by going through the IMDB.
When Louise Henry passed away last year it was believed she was the last surviving adult actor from the Fox Chans. As of the mid 1990s there were quite a few remaining but time takes its toll and over the past few years at least we've lost Cobina Wright, Kay Linaker, Marc Lawrence, and some others.
Noel Neill is still alive at 92 but apparently rather frail and has retired from making public appearnces.
Louise Henry passed away about a year ago, and she had been living in Syracuse for many years prior to her death. I have lived in the Syracuse area my entire life, and I knew she was born and raised here. I never knew she had re-located back here after her Hollywood career ended, and that she was still in town. She kept a low profile, and was not involved with any of our local theater groups, public committees, etc. According to news sources, she is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Syracuse. My son and I tried to locate her grave last Fall, but were unsuccessful. Maybe this Spring we will try again, and I can post a picture if we find a headstone.
