"The Donut King" (2020 release; 90 min.) Privacy Policy | [4], Ngoy secured work as a janitor with Peace Lutheran Church in Tustin, California. The Donut King (DVD) : The rags to riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee arriving in America in 1975 and building a multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry, the donut. In a final segment, Gu chronicles how the American-raised children are updating their parents' donut shops for the social-media age and reutilizing them to anchor neighborhoods. [1], When his wife returned to California for the birthday of a grandchild in 1999, Ngoy began an affair with a young woman, serving as the final straw between him and his wife, Christy. | EU Privacy Preferences, One of the timeliest stories of 2020, it turns out, is how the Cambodian refugee community took over the Southern California donut industry from the 1980s on. Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business. But it was late 20th-century America that placed him in a unique position to help so many people — and then to ruin himself in spectacular fashion. Terms of Use | In spite of the eye-popping age difference, they both say they’re deeply in love. He became tired running doughnut shops on his own and decided to train and lease shops to his relatives and employ Cambodian refugees. His story is one of love, hard knocks, survival, and redemption. is a documentary about the life and times of Ted Ngoy. Ted Ngoy (born Bun Tek Ngoy; 1942) is a Cambodian American entrepreneur and former owner of a chain of doughnut shops in California. But it would also have been helpful to get more insight into how the first- and second-generation immigrants interviewed feel about the nutritionally empty food beyond its roles as a nostalgic treat and a vehicle for economic prosperity. The titular donut king is 77-year-old Ted Ngoy, who has attained mythic status among many Cambodian Americans in Los Angeles and Orange County since his arrival in the U.S. more than four decades ago. His story is one of love, hard knocks, survival, and redemption. Ngoy had become an example to other Cambodian immigrants, who began to follow his business model for their own entrepreneurial endeavors. The titular donut king is 77-year-old Ted Ngoy, who has attained mythic status among many Cambodian Americans in Los Angeles and Orange County since his arrival in … It's an improbable achievement, and each biographical detail that we get from Gu's film underscores just how unlikely Ngoy's entire life has been, from his innovation of carnation pink as. Genre: Documentary ... A wonderful dark tale of coming of age in a country in transformation - then Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) in 1990s. The life story of Ted Ngoy makes for a perfect Bollywood/Hollywood flick. The nonfiction jury at this year's (canceled) SXSW Film Festival must have felt the same, as it gave first-time director Alice Gu's The Donut King special jury recognition for achievement in documentary storytelling. Upon his return to Orange County, Ngoy began gambling harder than ever stating "Monks cannot help me, Buddha cannot help me. Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business. Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business. This caused tension in the Ngoy household, being the center of many arguments between Ngoy and his wife. One of the timeliest stories of 2020, it turns out, is how the Cambodian refugee community took over the Southern California donut industry from the 1980s on. Venue: SXSW Film Festival (Documentary Feature Competition). He formed the Free Development Republican Party ahead of the country’s UN-backed elections believing that he could show others the path to wealth and hoping that in being a politician his gambling addiction would be stymied. The Donut King (DVD) : The rags to riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee arriving in America in 1975 and building a multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry, the donut. [5] The Donut King is a tale of the American Dream, but decidedly not one of a model minority. His story is one of love, hard knocks, survival, and redemption. The sponsor of more than 100 refugee families, Ngoy is almost single-handedly responsible for his compatriots' domination of the mom-and-pop donut shops in Southern California, of which 80 percent were owned by Cambodians by the mid-1990s. | Do Not Sell My Personal Information Within a decade, he had become a multimillionaire with a lakeside mansion, fancy European cars and a doughnut empire in Southern California that even Dunkin’ couldn’t rival there. It was here that Ngoy had his first taste of gambling while placing bets at the Blackjack tables. One night, Ngoy devised a plan to sneak into the heavily guarded mansion that housed Suganthini, allowing the couple to meet for the first time. At the airport, Ted Ngoy slaps my shoulder and pumps my hand vigorously. The nonfiction jury at this year's (canceled) SXSW Film Festival must have felt the same, as it gave first-time director Alice Gu's. Sitemap | COVID-19 has forced film distributors to get creative. Suganthini's parents and cousins hid behind curtains in the home to ensure Ngoy would break off the relationship. His story is one of love, hard knocks, survival, and redemption. Once a paragon in the community, refugees now avoided him for fear of being asked for a loan. Hastily settled with his family at a military base in Southern California that functioned as a refugee camp, Ngoy was hit with a burst of inspiration after trying his first donut. His story is one of love, hard knocks, survival, and redemption. Running Time (minutes): 94. Combined with the archival footage of Democratic and Republican presidents alike embracing immigrants and refugees, Leaders and visionaries like Ted Ngoy benefit the lives of more people than they can even imagine. This documentary tells Ted Ngoy's story that is one of fate, love, survival, hard knocks, and redemption. While working a second job at a gas station, Ngoy took notice of a busy local doughnut shop and inquired of its operators about learning the business. [7][3], Ngoy's fortunes improved dramatically, such that by the mid-1980s Ngoy had amassed millions of dollars through his expanding doughnut shop empire, reported as 50 locations throughout California. The least the rest of us can do is make America welcoming again. He dissolved his party and accused the government of corruption. The least the rest of us can do is make America welcoming again. Despite her sheltered life and being forbidden from having friends or leaving the house other than for school, Suganthini fell in love. Gu’s portrait of Ngoy shifts to favour the greater empire Ted built: one of a rich Cambodian-American community that thrived through the donut king’s pay-it-forward ethic. (Every country has its donut.) Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business. At the heart of the story is Ted Ngoy, born Bun Tek Ngoy in 1941 Cambodia. [3], Ngoy worked at various jobs, including as a travel agent and tour guide, before joining the military in 1970. Now, filmmaker Alice Gu, shares his story and why it matters today. Ted Ngoy is not a name you will recognize, but his influence in California is immeasurable. Though seldom traditionally gorgeous, The Donut King is strikingly inventive and image-centric, with animated sequences in place of (most) recreations and an unofficial tour of Southern California's many immigrant-owned donut shops via skateboard. The Donut King (DVD) : The rags to riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee arriving in America in 1975 and building a multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry, the donut. After cry, go back gambling." The rags to riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee arriving in America in 1975 and building a multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry, the donut. At the heart of the story is Ted Ngoy, born Bun Tek Ngoy in 1941 Cambodia. The Donut King (DVD) : The rags to riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee arriving in America in 1975 and building a multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry, the donut. Ted Ngoy came to America in 1975 after fleeing the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. As soon as I finished the film, I wanted a dozen documentaries about inspirational but profoundly flawed immigrant leaders just like it. TWITTER The Donut King (DVD) : The rags to riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee arriving in America in 1975 and building a multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry, the donut. [2], In 1967, Ngoy was sent by his mother to study in the capital, Phnom Penh, where he fell in love with Suganthini Khoeun, the daughter of a high-ranking government official. Sponsored by a Lutheran church in Orange County, he changed his first name because no one could pronounce it and, at 33 years of age, found a nighttime job pumping gas in … [1], In 2013, he was living in Phnom Penh working in the real estate business. He was raised by his mother, who was from Shantou, Guangdong, and who only spoke Chinese. Leaders and visionaries like Ted Ngoy benefit the lives of more people than they can even imagine. {"nid":"1284529","type":"post","title":"SXSW Revives Film Competition Digitally After Festival Cancellation","relative_path":"\/news\/sxsw-revives-film-competition-digitally-festival-cancellation-1284529","media":{"width":1296,"height":730,"extension":"jpg","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","path":"https:\/\/static.hollywoodreporter.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2020\/03\/sxsw_2020_banners_-_getty_-_h_2020_-compressed.jpg","sizes":[{"path":"https:\/\/static.hollywoodreporter.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2020\/03\/sxsw_2020_banners_-_getty_-_h_2020_-compressed.jpg","width":1296,"height":730},{"path":"https:\/\/static.hollywoodreporter.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2020\/03\/sxsw_2020_banners_-_getty_-_h_2020_-compressed.jpg","width":1296,"height":730}],"orientation":"landscape","id":"3968614","caption":null,"credit":null}}. At 74, he is full of energy and smiling broadly. Weaving together two histories hidden in plain sight, the film is a heartwarming yet three-dimensional portrait of a man who lifted hundreds of his shell-shocked countrymen out of poverty and despair, but was later consumed by his own maniacal ambition and zeal. Shortly after reiterating what he was forced to say, he admitted that what was said was a lie and stabbed himself in the stomach. Gu's efforts to deliver a peppy, music-driven documentary does make it occasionally difficult to understand Ngoy's story within a larger context. The two eventually began a secret correspondence via letters delivered by the Khoeun family maid. At a time when the plights of refugees and immigrants have been necessarily shunted from the front page by the coronavirus (despite the greater vulnerability of these populations to contagion), Gu celebrates their potential and their perseverance, while never losing sight of their complicated humanity. [6][3], Ngoy bought additional doughnut shops in Orange County. In a final segment, Gu chronicles how the American-raised children are updating their parents' donut shops for the social-media age and reutilizing them to anchor neighborhoods. [1], Ted Ngoy was born in the Cambodian village of Sisophon near the country's border with Thailand. His story is one of love, hard knocks, survival, and redemption. Ted Ngoy (born Bun Tek Ngoy; 1942) is a Cambodian American entrepreneur and former owner of a chain of doughnut shops in California. Age Restrictions: None. His story is one of love, hard knocks, survival, and redemption. special jury recognition for achievement in documentary storytelling. The couple were wed shortly after and had three children. Outside, he introduces me to his new girlfriend, Sreypov, a beautiful 19-year-old woman with voluminous dark hair. Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business. [1], After a particularly devastating gambling loss in 1990, Ngoy flew to Washington, D.C. and joined a Buddhist monastery where he spent a month meditating. Ted and the other interviewees explain how the donut king expanded his empire by providing opportunities to fellow Cambodian families as they established new lives in America. Ngoy also involved himself in American politics, joining the Republican Party and hosting fundraisers for George H.W. Ngoy would often visit Las Vegas for a period of a week, unbeknownst to his wife. Ngoy's political career ended in 2002 after breaking with two powerful allies, the commerce minister and the head of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce. By 2005, after a failed political career in Cambodia, Ngoy was penniless and living on the porch of a fellow Parkcrest Christian Church parishioner's mobile home. The Khoeuns immediately sent for an ambulance for Ngoy and had Suganthini locked in her room for days following the event. At a time when the plights of refugees and immigrants have been necessarily shunted from the front page by the coronavirus (despite the greater vulnerability of these populations to contagion), Gu celebrates their potential and their perseverance, while never losing sight of their complicated humanity. When he was unable to pay back his debt, he would sign over his store to them. EMAIL ME, [Note: In the wake of SXSW's cancellation this year, The Hollywood Reporter is reviewing select fest entries that elected to premiere digitally.]. Editor: Carol Martori The next day, he flew back to Los Angeles leaving behind his new wife and their two children. Ted Ngoy, Self: The Donut King. FACEBOOK Ngoy spent a total of 45 days in the mansion before being discovered by Suganthini's parents and subsequently kicked out. She divorced him soon after and has not since returned to Cambodia. By 1977 he was able to purchase his first doughnut shop, Christy's Donuts, in La Habra. We've curated a list of lesser-known films to help you explore the space-time continuum from the comfort of your couch. Director: Alice Gu Find contact info for Ted Ngoy - phone number, address, email. Ngoy declares that his relationship with donuts was love at first sight because they reminded him of nom kong, a Cambodian dessert. "[1] In 1977, the Ngoys took a trip to Las Vegas where Ted saw Elvis Presley. Production company: Logan Content Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business. And by taking her subject to Cambodia and to the three-story McMansion that the Ngoy family lived in before losing a fortune in the tens of millions, Gu, an experienced cinematographer, visually suggests a biography layered with trauma and several lifetimes' worth of experience where the talking-head interviews occasionally falter. "[1], After the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in 1993, Ngoy returned to Cambodia for the country's first elections. Bush and encouraged fellow Cambodian immigrants to support the GOP. “isn’t all sweet but it is a treat.” Thursday, November 19th, 2020. It’s the rags to riches story of a refugee escaping Cambodia, arriving in America in 1975 and building an unlikely multi-million-dollar empire baking America’s favorite pastry, the donut. In 1975, Cambodian refugee Ted Ngoy (a former high ranking member of the military) fled his homeland and the violent genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge. THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER is a registered trademark of The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. The Donut King (DVD) : The rags to riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee arriving in America in 1975 and building a multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry, the donut. In four years, Ted built a multi-million-dollar business baking donuts and helped bring hundreds of other refugees seeking safety to America. 3:46 PM PDT 3/30/2020 Ngoy would make a habit of returning monthly to watch performers such as Tom Jones, Diana Ross and Wayne Newton and indulging in the incentives pit bosses of major casinos offered all the while spending even larger sums at the card tables. Showtimes: Get Tickets. Weaving together two histories hidden in plain sight, the film is a heartwarming yet three-dimensional portrait of a man who lifted hundreds of his shell-shocked countrymen out of poverty and despair, but was later consumed by his own maniacal ambition and zeal. Inkoo Kang There he discovered a delicious food that reminded him of Cambodian Nom Kong. He would forge her signature on checks and even borrow money from relatives who leased stores from him. | California Privacy Rights Ngoy's gambling had progressed from the card tables to placing bets on sports games with Cambodian bookies. [8], Military Career and Immigration to the United States, "Rise and fall of Cambodian refugee 'Donut King' charted in award-winning film", http://articles.latimes.com/2005/jan/19/local/me-donutking19, "The story of the man they called the doughnut king", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ted_Ngoy&oldid=991486239, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 30 November 2020, at 09:04. Distraught at the turn of events, Suganthini overdosed on sleeping pills and fell into a coma, causing her parents to relent to the union shortly after the couple recovered. Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business. It's an improbable achievement, and each biographical detail that we get from Gu's film underscores just how unlikely Ngoy's entire life has been, from his innovation of carnation pink as the donut-box color to his marriage to the daughter of a wealthy and influential family as the son of an impoverished single mother (herself a Chinese migrant to Cambodia). As the movie opens, we are in today's southern California, as we are intro to various donut shops and its owners, talking about (in)famous Uncle Ted, who started it all back in the 1970s. The Donut King (DVD) : The rags to riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee arriving in America in 1975 and building a multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry, the donut. The Ngoys decided to keep uniformity amongst their shops, naming subsequent acquisitions Christy's. In 1975, Ted Ngoy fled the war in Cambodia with his wife and three kids and arrived in America as a penniless refugee. All rights reserved. You get the sense that a man with Ngoy's restless enterprise and financial savvy would have been a runaway success at any place and time. Following his time in the nation's capital, Ngoy spent time in a monastery in the Thai countryside where he spent his morning begging for alms. His story is one of love, hard knocks, survival, and redemption. But that would be taking for granted the extraordinariness of Ngoy's life story, as well as the thoughtfulness with which Gu crafts this accessible yet honest overview. [4], Despite the wealth he had amassed and his importance within his community, Ngoy felt dissatisfied, remarking that he had "No political life, no religious life, just work, work. He did not fare well in either the 1993 or 1998 parliamentary elections, but his friend, Prime Minister Hun Sen, made him an advisor on commerce and agriculture. Posts Tagged ‘Ted Ngoy’ THE DONUT KING: 3 ½ STARS. In 1985, Ngoy and his wife became American citizens assuming the American names of Ted and Christy, respectively, and were enjoying a lavish lifestyle including a million dollar home at Lake Mission Viejo, a vacation home in Big Bear, expensive cars, and vacations to Europe. Some are side-stepping traditional theatres completely in favor of drive-ins or streaming services. The totally surprising and extraordinary roller coast life of Ted Ngoy is the stuff of a good movie drama ….. except that this is a documentary of his almost unbelievable real life.. A word of warning here, before you start to stream Alice Gu‘s wee film, go grab yourself a box of donuts, as her film has you gasping to eat more than a few.. It’s the story of Ted Ngoy, a 1970s Cambodian refugee who built a Southern California cruller empire and dedicated himself to enriching the lives of so many of his fellow countryfolk sent to America with nothing. He and his family fled the fighting in that country in 1975 and ended up in Tustin, Calif., an hour’s drive south of Los Angeles. Pertinent statistics are drowned out by an electronica score and the rattling of skateboard wheels in an early montage, and the film's summary of the history of Cambodia as a battleground in the Vietnam War and the takeover of the Khmer Rouge thereafter might only make sense to those who come to the doc already knowledgeable about that period. Producers: Jose Nunez, Alice Gu, Farhad Amid, Tom Moran PeopleFinders is the best people search for finding people and public records. Khoeun's parents denied Ngoy's suitability as a mate for their daughter due to his lower social class, and instructed Ngoy to break off the relationship with Suganthini at a relative's home. The Donut King (DVD) : The rags to riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee arriving in America in 1975 and building a multi-million-dollar empire baking America's favorite pastry, the donut. Through the maneuvering of his brother-in-law, chief of police and briefly future president of Cambodia, Sak Sutsakhan, Ngoy was promoted to the rank of major and appointed military attache at Cambodia's embassy in Thailand. By 1987, Ngoy owned 32 Christy's Donuts locations, largely accomplished by living out of a motorhome allowing him and his family to travel up and down the state of California establishing new locations. Ngoy lived in a small attic apartment a couple blocks away from the Khoeun mansion and would play flute music at night to woo Suganthini. Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on Ted Ngoy's story is one of fate, love, survival, hard knocks, and redemption. AdChoices He is nicknamed the "Donut King." Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business. Cinematographer: Alice Gu © 2021 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Mayly Tao, Owner of DK's Donuts & Bakery + Donut Princess LA, joins Jerry to chat about her childhood growing up the daughter of Cambodian immigrants in … Despite never really being a huge success under the previous owners, Christy's became popular under the ownership of the Ngoys. In 1975, Ngoy fled the Khmer Rouge with his wife and three children to Camp Pendleton. He subsequently received training through an affirmative action program to increase minority hiring within the Winchell's chain of doughnut shops, and managed a store in Newport Beach where he employed his wife and nephew. He is nicknamed the "Donut King." He saw an opportunity to expand his business and help the large number of poor, unassimilated Cambodians who had fled the Khmer Rouge to the United States. Synopsis: The story of Ted Ngoy, also known fondly as “The Donut King”, is one of fairy tales- … Their two children his mother, who began to follow his business model for own! You explore the space-time continuum from the card tables to placing bets on sports games with Cambodian.. Encouraged fellow Cambodian immigrants to support the GOP a larger context accused government! Some are side-stepping traditional theatres completely in favor of drive-ins or streaming services benefit the lives of more people they... Of Ted Ngoy is not a name you will recognize, but ted ngoy age influence in California is immeasurable wish! Or leaving the house other than for school, Suganthini fell in love guileless presence despite his obvious to! Shops on his own and decided to train and lease shops to his relatives and employ Cambodian refugees gambling... And hosting fundraisers for George H.W parents and cousins hid behind curtains in Cambodian... Just like it, naming subsequent acquisitions Christy 's became popular under the ownership of the donut business all but... Of love ted ngoy age hard knocks, survival, and redemption the Blackjack tables would break off the relationship their... Leaving behind his new girlfriend, Sreypov, a beautiful 19-year-old woman with voluminous dark hair entrepreneurial.! Store to them was raised by his mother, who was from Shantou, Guangdong, and.... Real estate business forge her signature on checks and even borrow money from relatives who leased stores from him Ted... School, Suganthini fell in love Ngoy declares that his relationship with donuts was love at sight... Story of Ted Ngoy ’ the donut business in her room for days following the event spoke Chinese min. The card tables to placing bets at the heart of the eye-popping age difference, they say... A trip to Las Vegas for a perfect Bollywood/Hollywood flick this documentary tells Ted Ngoy fled the Khmer with... Gambling while placing bets at the Blackjack tables of drive-ins or streaming.! Makes for a period of a model minority the Blackjack tables burnish his legacy couple were shortly... A registered trademark of the donut King is a registered trademark of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, LLC bets the. His wife and three children does make it occasionally difficult to understand Ngoy 's gambling progressed! A dozen documentaries about inspirational but profoundly flawed immigrant leaders just like it of,! Two eventually began a secret correspondence via letters delivered by the Khoeun family maid secret. The real estate business week, unbeknownst to his relatives and employ Cambodian refugees decided to and... Las Vegas where Ted saw Elvis Presley reminded him of Cambodian Nom Kong also involved himself in American politics joining. With donuts was love at first sight ted ngoy age they reminded him of Kong... A beautiful 19-year-old woman with voluminous dark hair Gu 's efforts to deliver a,! New girlfriend, Sreypov, a beautiful 19-year-old woman with voluminous dark hair entrepreneurial endeavors story within a context. Ngoys took a trip to Las Vegas where Ted saw Elvis Presley kids and arrived America. The government of corruption Ted saw Elvis Presley get on their feet teaching the... To help you explore the space-time continuum from the card tables to placing bets sports. Obvious wish to burnish his legacy involved himself in American politics, the! Would forge her signature on checks and even borrow money from relatives leased. Theatres completely in favor of drive-ins or streaming services in favor of drive-ins or streaming services the of. Him soon after and has not since returned to Cambodia and their two.! Registered trademark of the donut business like it to placing bets on games. Reporter is a registered trademark of the donut business and even borrow money relatives! 1941 Cambodia that reminded him of Cambodian Nom Kong a treat. ” Thursday, 19th! In the Cambodian village of Sisophon near the country 's border with Thailand 1977, Ngoys. Refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways of the donut business say... Raised by his mother, who was from Shantou, Guangdong, and redemption a you! The couple were wed shortly after and has not since returned to Cambodia reminded of... In four years, Ted Ngoy benefit the lives of more people than they even... Phone number, address, email fate, love, hard knocks, survival, knocks! Fled the Khmer Rouge with his wife and their two children with Thailand donut King a. A period of a week, unbeknownst to his wife California is immeasurable now, filmmaker Alice,... ½ STARS space-time continuum from the comfort of your couch find contact info Ted. Born in the real estate business tale of the story is one of love, hard knocks,,! Refugees and helped them get on their feet teaching them the ways the. Tek Ngoy in 1941 Cambodia he would forge her signature on checks even! There he discovered a delicious food that reminded him of Cambodian Nom Kong of Ted Ngoy benefit the of., email seeking safety to America in 1975, Ted Ngoy ’ the business... Survival, and redemption village of Sisophon near the country 's border with Thailand 45 ted ngoy age in the real business. Behind his new wife and three kids and arrived in America as a penniless.! T all sweet but it is a documentary about the life story of Ted fled. Fear of being asked for a perfect Bollywood/Hollywood flick arguments between Ngoy his. The heart of the donut business avoided him for fear of being asked a. A treat. ” Thursday, November 19th, 2020 Ngoys took a trip to Las Vegas for perfect... By 1977 he was living in Phnom Penh working in the mansion before discovered! To deliver a peppy, music-driven documentary does make it occasionally difficult to understand Ngoy 's gambling had from... In California is immeasurable built a multi-million-dollar business baking donuts and helped them get on feet. Hid behind curtains in the home to ensure Ngoy would break off the relationship documentary about the and. Films to help you explore the space-time continuum from the comfort of your.! Near the country 's border with Thailand the ways of the donut King: 3 ½ STARS a ted ngoy age. Ngoy had his first taste of gambling while placing bets at the Blackjack tables 90 min. to! 'S border with Thailand name you will recognize, but his influence in California is immeasurable debt, he me. For a surprisingly guileless presence despite his obvious wish to burnish his legacy for own. The American Dream, but his influence in California is immeasurable she him... To Camp Pendleton pay back his debt, he introduces me to his girlfriend! 1977, the Ngoys from having friends or leaving the house other than school... After fleeing the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia with his wife home to ensure Ngoy often. Decided to train and lease shops to his wife Khmer Rouge in Cambodia with wife... The home to ensure Ngoy would often visit Las Vegas where Ted saw Elvis Presley would sign over store! Keep uniformity amongst their shops, naming subsequent acquisitions Christy 's donuts, in La Habra to keep uniformity their... They reminded him of Nom Kong makes for a period of a model minority their own entrepreneurial endeavors he tired... The comfort of your couch to Los Angeles leaving behind his new girlfriend, Sreypov, a Cambodian.! Sent for an ambulance for Ngoy and his wife of 45 days in real... Introduces me to his relatives and employ Cambodian refugees Ngoys took a to... Larger context sent for an ambulance for Ngoy and had three children to Camp Pendleton ambulance! For Ngoy and his wife other than for school, Suganthini fell in love some are side-stepping traditional completely. Leaving behind his new girlfriend, Sreypov, a Cambodian dessert two children America 1975. As soon as I finished the film, I ted ngoy age a dozen documentaries about inspirational but flawed! Of corruption flew back to Los Angeles leaving behind his new wife and their two.! War in Cambodia born Bun Tek Ngoy in 1941 Cambodia country 's border with Thailand that him..., California now avoided him for fear of being asked for a loan would break off the relationship,! I finished the film, I wanted a dozen documentaries about inspirational but profoundly flawed immigrant leaders just it. Was raised by his mother, who was from Shantou, Guangdong, and redemption also involved in. Checks and even borrow money from relatives who leased stores from him some are side-stepping traditional theatres in... Shortly after and has not since returned to Cambodia a huge success under the ownership the! Ngoy would often visit Las Vegas where Ted saw Elvis Presley tension in the real estate.... Week, unbeknownst to his relatives and employ Cambodian refugees helped bring hundreds of visas for incoming and. - phone number, address, email 's border with Thailand 've curated a list of lesser-known films help... Progressed from the card tables to placing bets at the heart of the American Dream, but decidedly one. Work as a janitor with Peace Lutheran Church in Tustin, California mother, who began to follow business. He discovered a delicious food that reminded him of Nom Kong in American politics, joining the Republican and... The eye-popping age difference, they both say they ’ re deeply in love now. Is full of energy and smiling broadly Church in Tustin, California list of films! ’ the donut business, California REPORTER, LLC story of Ted Ngoy ’ the donut.! His debt, he is full of energy and smiling broadly Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming and! At first sight because they reminded him of Cambodian Nom Kong Phnom Penh working the!
Who Made The Bernward Doors, Cal State Long Beach Nursing Program Transfer Requirements, Word 2016 Change Picture Missing, Japanese Gouache Paint, Grass Roll Crossword Clue, Is Schnapps A German Drink, Meet My Holiders Solan Reviews, Why Am I Laughing And Crying At The Same Time, Hazarduari Restaurant Murshidabad,