China Lee


China Lee is an American model and actress. She was Playboy's Playmate of the Month for the August 1964 issue and the first Asian American Playmate. Her centerfold was photographed by Pompeo Posar. According to her Playmate profile, her name is pronounced "chee-na" to rhyme with "Tina".

Early life

Lee was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Chinese parents who immigrated to the United States after marriage. The family-owned a laundry and, later, a much-lauded restaurant. She is the youngest of eight children and the younger sister of Harry Lee, who served as the sheriff of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana for about 28 years. The name "China" is derived from the nickname "Chinita" bestowed on her by Spanish-speaking neighbors who admired her dancing as a child.

Career

Lee worked as a hairstylist and waitress, then as a Playboy Bunny, before appearing in Playboy. She had been a "Training Bunny," which required her to travel to different Playboy Clubs to teach prospective Bunnies their duties.
Lee appeared at the end of Woody Allen's What's Up, Tiger Lily?, performing a striptease.

Personal life

Lee married comedian Mort Sahl in 1967. They divorced in 1991. Their only child, Mort Sahl Jr., died on March 27, 1996, at the age of 19.
YearTitleRoleNotes
1964The TroublemakerThe Hooker
1965Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini MachineRobot
1966HarperDancerUncredited
1966Paradise, Hawaiian StyleGirlUncredited
1966What's Up, Tiger Lily?Dancer in CreditsUncredited
1966The SwingerModelUncredited
1967The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.VivianEpisode: "The Double-O-Nothing Affair"
1967Good TimesMordicus' Girl
1967Don't Make WavesWaitressUncredited
1969Medium CoolRoller Derby Patron