"Nathan Jung was born on November 29, 1946 in Bakersfield California. Together with his parents, Frances and Albert Jung, and older brothers Hayward and Howard, the family lived in Bakersfield. All working at one time or another in Frances’ restaurant, the Far East Café. Nathan went to Bakersfield High School, and attended college with his emphasis in art.
Nathan lived in Silver Lake for most of his adult life. He taught as a substitute teacher for many years before fully dedicating his career as an actor/stuntman. Known by his friends as “Big Wei”, he played many characters throughout the five decades dedicated to his craft. Due to his 6 foot 6 inch stature, he was the perfect bodyguard or menacing villain in film and television. One of his most notable roles was as Genghis Khan on Star Trek in 1969. He attended Star Trek conventions signing autographs for adoring fans. Nathan’s TV appearances were opposite David Carradine, Bruce Lee as well as Bruce’s son, Brandon Lee. The list of TV shows he appeared in were numerous in the 1960s through the 1990’s. Some of the shows included: Starsky & Hutch, Sanford & Son, CHIPs, Hunter, MASH, General Hospital, Magnum PI, and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
In 1977, he acted in his first film, Kentucky Fried Movie. Appearing in almost 20 films throughout his life, his final role was in 2016 where he narrated a documentary short called Nathan Jung v. Bruce Lee, where he spoke about acting with the iconic Bruce Lee in a 1969 episode of Here Come the Brides.
In 2020, Nathan endured 15 rounds of chemotherapy to treat lymphoma. He beat cancer through the pandemic, but while in remission he slipped and shattered his hip. It was in rehabilitation, where his body could take no more, and suffered a fatal heart attack on April 24th of this year. He was 74. Predeceased by his parents. brothers, Hayward and Howard; and niece, Allison. Nathan is survived by his two nephews, Keith and Michael, sisters-in-law, Betty and Linda, aunts, uncles and many cousins of the Lew and Jung families."
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