Haing S. Ngor

Dr. Haing S. Ngor (March 22, 1940 – February 25, 1996) was a distinguished Cambodian-American physician, actor, and author, renowned for his Academy Award-winning performance as Dith Pran in the 1984 film The Killing Fields. Ngor's compelling portrayal of a Cambodian journalist and refugee garnered him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1985, making him one of only two non-professional actors to achieve this honor alongside Harold Russell.

Born to a Khmer mother and a Chinese father, Ngor’s life was marked by both personal tragedy and triumph. Following the Khmer Rouge regime's brutal takeover of Cambodia, he escaped, eventually settling in the United States where he sought to uplift his homeland. Alongside his close friend Jack Ong, Ngor founded the Dr. Haing S. Ngor Foundation, aimed at providing vital aid to Cambodia. His commitment to humanitarian efforts included building an elementary school and establishing a sawmill to create local jobs.

Tragically, Ngor's life was cut short when he was murdered outside his home in Chinatown, Los Angeles, on February 25, 1996. His death was linked to an attempted robbery, leading to the arrest and eventual conviction of three gang members. On April 16, 1998, the same day Pol Pot's death was reported in Cambodia, all three defendants were found guilty, with sentences ranging from life in prison to over five decades behind bars.