Ask someone to quote a line from the ’80s teen classic Sixteen Candles and there’s a good chance it was uttered by Gedde Watanabe. Thanks to “What’s happenin’, hot stuff?” “Ohhh, sexy girlfriend!” and other quotes, his character, Long Duk Dong, lives on in ringtones, comedic folklore, and a debate about whether he’s an offensive stereotype or just a caricature like nearly every other supporting role in the movie. In the years since the portrayal — Long Duk Dong and Sixteen Candles was released 30 years ago this month — Gedde Watanabe has appeared more than two dozen films, played Nurse Yosh on ER, and done voice work on the The Simpsons. To celebrate three decades of the movie, Vulture spoke with the actor about exercise bikes, growing up in Utah, and having his feet tickled by John Hughes.
Wow, Sixteen Candles is 30 years old! You’re now part of the adolescence of two generations.
Actually, it’s quite incredible. I’m still sideswiped by it all. I just did an autograph show in New Jersey and a screening in California with Debbie Pollack, who played Long Duk Dong’s girlfriend Marlene. Debbie and I keep in contact. She had to remind me it’s the 30th anniversary. It’s really been her work getting these celebrations going. Maybe because it’s been so many years since the movie and even several years since I’ve seen it, I expected, like, two people to show up. And when so many did, and brought their kids and talked about how much the movie meant to them, I don’t know — I’m humbled and I’m grateful.
