Master Kan, not Chaka or Aga Khan

Yes… grasshopper - today we honor the life Master Kan, known by his real world friends as Philip Ahn or Pil Lip Ahn. He was born March 29, 1905 in Los Angeles and we celebrate his life which began 100 years ago. (and ended in 1978 after surgery). But perhaps you are confused… grasshopper would be David Carradine, who starred in a cool TV show called Kung Fu. Grasshopper, or Kwai Chang Cain was Holy man, a Shaolin priest - and was very different from his character in this movie with nun once called Sister Betrille. (She stops flying when he kicks the habit - HA!). But i digress…

Philip Ahn played Master Kan - who will forever be remembered for his fast hands which bested grasshopper for decades. Each Kung Fu episode began when Kan would say.. “When you snatch the pebble from my hand, then it will be time for you to leave.” Oddly enough, grasshopper never replied - “Best two out of Three???”. But before Philip Ahn got that cheesecake part as Master Kan - (not to be confused with Aga Khan or Chaka), he had a ton of bit parts with an Asian flavor - such as this one from Bonanza in Fear Merchants - or as Prince Tallon in Planet Outlaws with Buster Crabbe. There was always a quiet and humble air about Philip Ahn that i always found appealing and endearing. With a fondness and a respectful bow of the head - we remember Philip Ahn and give you homage.