Who is Nancy Kwan’s husband Norbert Meisel? All about The World of Suzie Wong actress’s family amid new memoir release

Nancy Kwan, the Hollywood star, is now looking back at the highs and lows of her life and career and those who were present throughout her career through her ebook memoir, “The World of Nancy Kwan.”

One is her husband, Norbert Meisel, whom she has known for almost five decades. Norbert Meisel was born on April 30, 1930, in Vienna, Austria. He is best known for being a producer and the star of Night Children (1989) and Ray of Sunshine (2006). Meisel tied the knot with Nancy Kwan in 1976, and the pair still remain together.

Meisel has largely stayed out of the public eye compared to his wife. Nancy Kwan was born in Hong Kong and had a Cantonese father and British-Scottish mother. She first became a star in The World of Suzie Wong (1960).

Prior to her marriage to Norbert Meisel, Kwan was married to Austrian hotel owner Peter Pock, with whom she had her only child, Bernie Pock. Bernie, an actor and director, followed his mother into show business.

He died of HIV/AIDS at the age of 33. To keep his legacy alive, Kwan penned a book called Celebration of a Life: Memories of My Son, which grapples with the themes of grief, love, and strength.

A look into Nancy Kwan’s career and her new memoir

While visiting Hong Kong during a vacation in Vietnam, she was discovered by producer Ray Stark and his father and entered a contract with them to appear in the film The World of Suzie Wong.

Kwan, with no acting background, received a screen test. The lead part had supposedly been given to fellow actress France Nuyen, but personal problems caused Kwan to replace her. After this hit, Kwan was cast as a lead in 1961's Flower Drum Song, a musical film with an all-Asian cast.

Nancy Kwan’s autobiography, The World of Nancy Kwan, is said to focus on her career as one of Hollywood’s earliest Asian actors. Kwan talks about how difficult it was to step into the profession that had long favored white actors.

"I’ve broken barriers, celebrated achievements, overcome disappointments and survived tragedies, all part of my remarkable journey from Hong Kong to Hollywood and beyond. This is my story." She states in the prologue of her new memoir.

According to her, one of the most humiliating scenes took place when she had to appear provocatively in lingerie after her co-star, William Holden, ripped her dress off during a scene.

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Embarrassed by the skimpy dress, Kwan supposedly wore a full slip under her dress without the director's knowledge, leading to an upset with Richard Quine. She still remembers the emotional impact the incident had on her.

"Today, an intimacy coordinator would be on set to ensure I was comfortable with such a sensitive scene. Were they taking advantage of my youth and inexperience? Absolutely, but I didn't have a choice." She wrote.

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