Succeeded by Astrid Schulz Role Playmate Height 5 ft 4.5 in (1.64 m) | Weight 112 lb (51 kg; 8.0 st) Preceded by Melba Ogle Name China Lee Children Mort Sahl Jr. | |
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Measurements Bust: 35"Waist: 22"Hips: 35" Movies What's Up, Tiger Lily?, Don't Make Waves Similar People Mort Sahl, Senkichi Taniguchi, Woody Allen, Alexander Mackendrick |
China Lee, born Margaret Lee, (born September 2, 1942) is an American model and actress. She was Playboy's Playmate of the Month for the August 1964 issue, and the first Asian American Playmate. Her centerfold was photographed by Pompeo Posar. According to her Playmate profile, her name is pronounced "chee-na" to rhyme with "Tina".
Contents
- Saul Goode Samurai Films Starring China Lee
- China Lee The Musical TRAILER
- Early life
- Career
- Personal life
- Partial filmography
- References
Saul Goode - Samurai Films (Starring China Lee)
China Lee "The Musical" [TRAILER]
Early life

Lee was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Chinese parents who had emigrated to the United States after their marriage. The family owned a laundry. She is the youngest of eight children and the younger sister of Harry Lee, who served as the sheriff of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana for about 28 years. The name "China" is derived from the nickname "Chinita" ("little Chinese girl") bestowed on her by Spanish-speaking neighbors who admired her dancing as a child.
Career
Lee worked as a hairstylist and waitress, then as a Playboy Club Bunny, before appearing in Playboy. She had been a "Training Bunny," which required her to travel to different Playboy Clubs to teach prospective Bunnies their duties.
Lee appeared at the end of Woody Allen's What's Up, Tiger Lily?, performing a striptease.
Personal life
She married comedian Mort Sahl in 1967. They divorced in 1991. Their only child, Mort Sahl, Jr. died on March 27, 1996 at the age of 19.