Aki Aleong, Actor in ‘Braddock: Missing in Action III’ and ‘V,’ Dies at 90

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Aki Aleong, an actor well-known for his roles in “No Down Payment,” “Braddock: Missing in Action III,” and “V,” as well as a musician with experience in songwriting, producing, and executive positions within the music industry, has passed away. He was 90 years old.

On Sunday, Aleong passed away at his residence in Sylmar, a place he shared with his wife of 38 years, Conchita. This sad news was confirmed by Conchita to The Hollywood Reporter.

Aleong struggled with dementia before his death.

Born in Trinidad, Aleong dedicated his career to championing the rights of minorities. He also found success in the world of martial arts films. In the movie “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story” (1993), he portrayed Principal Elder opposite Jason Scott Lee, and teamed up with Jean-Claude Van Damme as a trainer in “The Quest” (1996).

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Aleong, originally from Trinidad, was known for his advocacy on behalf of minorities during his career. He also made a name for himself in numerous martial arts films. In the 1993 movie “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story,” he played the role of Principal Elder alongside Jason Scott Lee, and worked as a trainer alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme in “The Quest” (1996).

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Aleong, hailing from Trinidad, was a strong advocate for minorities throughout his career. He was also active in martial arts movies. In the film “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story” (1993), he starred as Principal Elder alongside Jason Scott Lee, and collaborated with Jean-Claude Van Damme on training in “The Quest” (1996).

In his debut significant performance, Aleong took on the character of a young store worker who experiences racial discrimination when he attempts to relocate with his wife into a suburban California neighborhood in Martin Ritt’s 1957 film “No Down Payment.” Joanne Woodward, Sheree North, and Tony Randall were among the movie’s main cast members.

In the 1984-85 NBC television drama series known as “V,” which originated from a well-known science fiction miniseries, he portrayed Mr. Chiang – a subordinate who worked under the CEO of Science Frontiers, Nathan Bates, played by Lane Smith.

In the action-packed film “Braddock: Missing in Action III” (1988), I took on the role of the ruthless Vietnamese General Quoc. This character was a cold-blooded villain who callously murdered Chuck Norris’ Vietnam war comrade and then subjected him and his son to unspeakable torture.

Born on December 19, 1934, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Assing Aleong, the eldest among seven siblings, had a mixed heritage. His father, Henry, was a cook originally from Hong Kong, while his mother, Agnes, was born in St. Vincent, an island in the Caribbean.

In 1949, he relocated to Brooklyn with his mother. He completed his high school education at Boys High School and concurrently attended Brooklyn College while working part-time at a hardware store. In 1956, he was cast as the goat boy in a touring production of The Teahouse of the August Moon.

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Moving to Brooklyn with his mom in 1949, he graduated from Boys High School and enrolled at Brooklyn College, juggling his studies with part-time work at a hardware store. In 1956, he was selected for the role of goat boy in a traveling production of The Teahouse of the August Moon.

Following the conclusion of “August Moon” at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, he spent a year honing his acting skills there. Afterward, he made appearances on TV shows like “Producers’ Showcase” and “Robert Montgomery Presents.

Following his success in the 1957 movie “No Down Payment,” he secured a part in John Sturges’ 1959 production, “Never So Few.” Remarkably, the lead actor from this film, Frank Sinatra, offered him a recording deal at that time.

In various years, Aleong contributed to the creation, singing, and leading of several songs and albums, including “Shombalor,” “Trade Winds, Trade Winds,” Come Surf With Me, and performances with the Licorice Twisters.)

During his career, Aleong made appearances in films like “The Hunters” (1958) and “Operation Bikini” (1963), as well as television series such as “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp”, “Ben Casey”, “Bachelor Father”, “Hazel”, and “The Virginian”. However, feeling constrained by his roles, he decided to leave acting altogether.

He held the position of an executive at companies like Capitol and Polydor, created music for Roy Ayers and Norman Connors, and supported the careers of musicians such as Bobby Womack, James Brown, and Pharoah Sanders.

In the 1970s, Aleong claimed that he was informally blacklisted from the music industry, following his leadership role within the Fraternity of Recording Executives, an organization dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry.

He started his career as an actor in the 1980s, but before that he worked as a driver for an ambulance to earn a living. Throughout his career, he has been featured on shows like “As the World Turns”, “General Hospital”, “Cagney & Lacey”, “L.A. Law”, “The A-Team”, “Hunter”, “Jake and the Fatman”, “Walker, Texas Ranger”, “Babylon 5”, “Beverly Hills, 90210”, “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues”, “JAG”, “Chicago Hope”, and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.

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After a brief stint as an ambulance driver to support himself, he rekindled his acting career in the 1980s and has since appeared on numerous TV shows, including “As the World Turns”, “General Hospital”, “Cagney & Lacey”, “L.A. Law”, “The A-Team”, “Hunter”, “Jake and the Fatman”, “Walker, Texas Ranger”, “Babylon 5”, “Beverly Hills, 90210”, “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues”, “JAG”, “Chicago Hope”, and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.

Among the films he’s been a part of are “The Hanoi Hilton” from 1987, “Out for Blood” in 1992, “Deadly Target” in 1994, “House of Sand and Fog” in 2003, “Superhero Movie” in 2008, “Pound of Flesh” from 2015, and “Savage Dog” which was released in 2017.

Aleong also served on the national board at SAG.

Beyond his spouse, the survivors also encompass his daughter Akina, daughters Aliya and the twins Akian and Ari; grandchildren A.J., Michelle, and Jenelle; as well as four great-grandchildren.

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2025-06-24 20:35