Billy Kwan — The Year of Living Dangerously Character Profile

About Billy Kwan

Chinese-Australian dwarf photojournalist known for high intelligence and moral seriousness. Cares for a destitute mother and child. Facilitates Guy Hamilton's journalistic breakthroughs and subtly orchestrates his romance with Jill Bryant. After a boy he supports dies, he protests Sukarno's neglect, is thrown from a window by security, and dies in Guy's arms.

Character Facts

Played by

Linda Hunt

Appears in

The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (4)

• Billy Kwan — Professional Mentor — Guy Hamilton (Mel Gibson)

  Billy guides Guy through the local press network and political landscape.

• Billy Kwan — Social Close Friends — Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver)

  Longstanding friendship that Billy uses to facilitate Guy's meeting with Jill.

• Billy Kwan — Conflict Critic — Sukarno (Mike Emperio)

  Billy openly condemns Sukarno's governance and neglect of citizens.

• Billy Kwan — Social Caretaker — Dwarf (Bernardo Nacilla)

  Billy provides daily care and support for the impoverished child.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of The Year of Living Dangerously

More characters from The Year of Living Dangerously

• Guy Hamilton (Mel Gibson)
• Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver)
• Pete Curtis (Michael Murphy)
• Immigration Officer (Hermino De Guzman)
• Colonel Henderson (Bill Kerr)
• Dwarf (Bernardo Nacilla)
• Sukarno (Mike Emperio)
• Ibu (Norma Uatuhan)
• Pool Waiter (Coco Marantha)
• Ali (Ali Nur)
• Betjak Man (Dominador Robridillo)
• Palace Guard (Joel Agona)