Here are some more photos of Jean on our trip to New Orleans with one of my clients – Isaac Hayes…
Jean Marie doing Hawaii 5-0…
Jean in New Orleans…
In the French Quarter…
Posing next to…
Jean giving the photographer a piece of her mind…
Just looking good…
“Let me adjust my glasses!!!”…
“Take me home….”
Humid, sultry look…
“Wait. I am not READY!!!”…
After a Hurricane (a drink)…at Pat O’Briens
“Your place or mine?”…
No comment…
PT/TB
I remember watching her on the show Ark 2, I was only 6 at the time. I rented some of the episodes from Netflix the other day. If I was older than 6 back then I would of had a big crush on her.
Good God she was beautiful back then.
Will always love her!!!
Way back in September 1974, I had just come to Hollywood and began working in Optical Special Effects. Seeing ARK II for the first time on a Saturday morning, I very much noticed “that girl” too.
A couple years later, I saw Jean Marie on the BIG HAWAII pilot (DANGER IN PARADISE) and her one shot on HARDY BOYS.
But after that, I was always working into the evening so I missed everything that followed. Didn’t even know about MAN FROM ATLANTIS.
The other day, I happened to come across an old publicity still from ARK II and I got to wondering what happened to Jean Marie Hon. Google turned up your website. Thank you for posting these photos and letting us know some of your story.
Even in the more recent photos now, Jean Marie still looks like a fox to this much older guy.
One thing I’d like to know, though, is “what was her specific ethnic background — Mandarin, Cantonese, or other Asian?”
BTW, YouTube has a quick clip of one of Jean’s best performances — as Chin Ho’s daughter in the “Death in the Family” episode of the original HAWAII FIVE-O. A beautiful close-up on her. Enjoy…
Hope you are all well & happy.
I still work in Hollywood — now as an indie filmmaker and Stereographer.
And, for what it’s worth, I remember, as a kid, having a crush on Susan Hayward too from all those Fox pictures NBC ran in the early sixties.
Dave,
Jean is Chinese/Burmese…Her Dad is from China, her Mom is (Chinese) from Burma…have seen all the old episodes of EVERYTHING…Jean has ‘em on BETA…YIKES!!!
PT/TB 🙂
I thought that was a touch of SouthEast Asian blood I recognized. I believe actress Me Me Lai was part Burmese too.
You may be amused that, like another fellow who posted online here, I also married a SE Asian who was a dead ringer for Jean.
LOL, yes, I still have a BetaMax machine as well. Have to, to run all the BetaMovie tapes I shot in the Philippines of my wife’s family.
Thanks so much for answering that question.
Take care.
— DG
I thought she was so hot when I watched Ark II as a kid back in the 70s. After watching a Youtube clip of the opening of Ark II, I tried looking her up on Wikipedia but found nothing. Glad I found your web page. These are nice photos of her.
I hope she is doing well.
I had purchased this space DVD set with all the Filmation live Action space shows. After watching the Ark2 series again after 30 or so years I realized where my fascination with Exotic Asian women comes from.
I was captivated by that show- the jet pack, the vehicles, and of course Jean Marie Hon. She is so hot in your pictures. She has such a genuine beauty and personality, I can’t believe she didn’t want to become a major star In Hollywood. Obviously she had a great mind to use it to get a PHD!
She could have easily been one of those mega stars of 80’s culture. Even more amazing is how great she looks in the interview she did a few years ago for the DVD. Thank you for posting all this history about one of my childhood crushes- I am 16 years old all over again 🙂
JPF
John,
In the late 70’s and 80’s, there were not any solid projects being developed for Asian actresses. I recall a film project that was making the rounds back in the late 70’s called “Ebony, Ivory and Jade”…they tried to work it as a TV series also…kind of an ethnic “Charlie’s Angels”…nobody was buying…Sadly, that still seems to be the case today…There are only two Asian actresses, who come to mind, that work on a regular basis in Film and Television . That would be Lucy Liu and Grace Park…Ally’s BF, Josh, refers to Ally’s Mom as the Grace Park of the 70’s…
PT/TB 🙂
Thanks TB, Yes, I can understand this. I originally come from a diverse part of the country (El Paso Tx.) that has allowed me to be ethnically open minded. I studied Kung Fu and Asian Culture in my teens and Graduated to Buddhist Philosophy and have been to Japan and Taiwan.
As a result of my childhood interests in space and fantasy, I made a career in 3D animation and am currently developing my own universe full of Aliens and multi ethnic humans in a Outer space Love story adventure.
I am utilizing my world studies in Anthropology, Art, Philosophy & Science etc. to create an engaging story line which I hope to create a feature film and serialized dramatic space opera. Please visit webpage for more info: http://www.cozmicfunk.com/MaryLouTurbine.html
I would love to be able to interview JMH: as to her experiences and contributions in the Youth Entertainment Industry. I remember originally seeing the Show Ark2 when I was 11. It made a impression on me as did the other filmation shows, Space Academy and Jason.
Please Tell Jean that I am a fan that is now creating something to give back – paying it forward 🙂
Sincerely,
John P. Funk
Creator- The Quest for the Dark Planet
So what is she doing now?
Fatbob,
Jean is a Pharmacist and is getting ready to see our son Michael get married – the first week in September…
PT/TB 🙂
Awesome and Grats! I saw the pic of an Ark II poster and remembered the crazy RV. Haha what memories!
Thanks for the awesome photos of a woman I had a total crush on in 1976! I adored her in Ark II, and later on Man From Atlantis as well, what a doll!
I bought the Ark II DVD set, and was thrilled to hear her on one of the commentary tracks! I always wondered where she went after Hollywood, I hope she is well.
Stumbled across this post tonight. Wonderful. Thank you.
Great site! I too had a crush on this beautiful Asian lady I came to know on TV on Saturday mornings! Glad to hear she is doing well, though she did not become a “superstar”. Maybe that was for the best. Thanks very much for posting the fabulous pictures!
C. Gifford
She became a “SUPERMOM”…
PT/TB 🙂
LOL Most certainly looks like it! 🙂
I running late behind everyone, but just “bingewatched” the entire series yesterday. At the end, that was a very gracious, candid interview from a beautiful lady.
I have such a twelve year old boy crush on Jean Marie Hon right now, but in reality I’m almost sixty
She is a beautiful woman! Does she still have that RV? lol
That would be so cool to see today! 🙂
Eric,
I get it !!!
PT/TB 🙂
Mick,
The vehicle from Ark II was sitting in a lot on the Northside of the Hollywood Freeway for decades. It has since disappeared…
PT/TB 🙂
Arghhhhh. Lol thx for reply !
Back in the 1980s or 90s I got into a car accident on the 405. But as fate would have it, when the ambulance attendants finally arrived, one of them looked exactly like the twin sister of Jean Marie Hon! Well, as things turned out, her boyfriend was really good at punching and kicking. So, the very important lessons to be learned from all of this is; the more attractive a woman is, then the more dangerous her boyfriend is likely to be. However, in all seriousness, though, when you consider all of the childhood stars, of the past, who have managed to throw their lives away by partying too much, I think that it is wonderful that Jean Marie Hon has a PhD and has done something positive with her life.
About 10 years ago I saw it from the freeway. (The Ark)
It was complete but looking a bit rough.
I was wondering where it was. Would be so cool to restore and put on display somewhere where we all could enjoy it.
Yes, I was a kid watching Ark II back then.
I like to think you rescued Jean from Hollywood. You know what I mean!
Best wishes to you and your family.
Chris
She looks so pretty in those photos. I watched the show Ark II when I was maybe 7 years old ? This would have been around 1980 when it was screened in New Zealand. We always got shows a couple of years (or more) after they were shown in the USA. At the time I loved her character and thought the show was the coolest thing ever. I also remember seeing her in the Man from Atlantis. Too bad there weren’t more roles for Asian actresses in hollywood in those days. It isn’t quite as bad now with popular actresses like Maggie Q , Ming-Na Wen, Lucy Liu etc.