Warner Oland

Biography

Warner Oland was a Swedish-American actor who rose to fame playing Chinese and Chinese-American characters in films such as Dr. Fu Manchu, Henry Chang in Shanghai Express, and Lieutenant Charlie Chan. Born Johan Verner Ölund in 1879, he immigrated to the US at 13 and trained as a Shakespearean actor before adopting villainous roles and ethnic parts. He became a major star with his portrayal of Charlie Chan, starring in 16 films that helped keep Fox afloat during the 1930s.