Hong Kong-born Nancy Kwan rocketed to fame aged 18 as William Holden’s co-star in the seminal 1960 movie “The World of Suzie Wong,” about a Wan Chai hooker and her relationship with a struggling western artist. After a successful acting career, she now lives in LA with her husband, Austrian actor-director Norbert Meisel. Dominique Rowe caught up with her on a flying visit to promote the Hong Kong Ballet’s production of Suzie Wong.
I had a very happy childhood. At that time, Hong Kong was a little laid back, sleepy fishing village. Kids could run around wherever they wanted, it wasn’t overcrowded. We had a lot of freedom, and we lived on top of a hill in Kowloon. We had a lot of friends to play with. It was the late 1940s, early 50s.
I studied at Mary Knoll, and then I went to school up north in England. I’m still in touch with some of my friends from there.
I spent a lot of time in Europe while I was at school in England. I would come back to Hong Kong for some holidays, but I also got to know Italy, and France. You could get a Europass in those days and just go everywhere. A bunch of friends would just take off on the trains. It was a good education.
Ballet gives you discipline. It keeps me disciplined; tai chi, qigong and meditation help to keep me centered. I like to keep my feet on the ground. We live such a fast, crazy life in the film business; I need time alone.
I love the climate in LA, and I have lots of friends there.