Refugee found freedom and fame

Press, 12 August 1989, Page 20

Refugee found freedom and fame

In 1975, 10-year-old Dustin Nguyen and his family boarded a boat and fled war-ravaged Vietnam. Fourteen years later he has found freedom in America, and television fame as well. Dustin Nguyen is one of the cool young actors who star in “21 Jump Street,” tonight (Saturday) at 8.05 on Two. Nguyen comes from a family of well known per-, formers in Vietnam. His mother, My Lee, was an actress and his father, Xuan Phat, was a pro-

ducer, writer, comedian and actor with his own weekly television show before their escape. Before taking up his role in “21 Jump Street," Dustin Nguyen had a regular part in the soap, "General Hospital,” and he has also made guest appearances on “Magnum P. 1.,” “The A-Team” and “The Shell Game.” Nguyen is also accomplished in martial arts. At 17, he received his black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do. He is also a skilled boxer and wrestler..

As undercover officer H. T. (Harry Truman) loki, in “21 Jump Street,” Nguyen plays an immigrant who learned to speak English by watching television. “I feel a real connection with the character, as that’s how I learned English as well. In the series, the officers pose as high school students, and I recall what a tough proving ground high school can be with its peer pressures and class distinctions,” says Nguyen.