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Lao Che is a fictional character in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, played by Roy Chiao.

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Lao Che is a Chinese crime lord who nearly killed Indiana Jones. He poisoned Indy's drink, and is the only villain known to have survived interacting with Indiana Jones. Born in Shanghai, China and one of the city's most notorious gangsters, Lao Che is also known as the owner of the corrupt Club Obi-Wan (a reference by Star Wars writer George Lucas to the famous science fiction hero).

In Temple of Doom, Lao Che is portrayed as the father of Chen and Kao Kan, the latter of whom had attempted to steal the remains of Nurhaci (historically significant as the first emperor of the Chinese Manchu Dynasty). This resulted in Kao Kan being shot by Indy. During Indiana Jones' meeting with Lao, Chen shoots and kills Indy's friend Wu Han with a concealed revolver. Later, Indy kills Chen in revenge by stabbing him with a flaming shishkebab as a gunfight breaks out in the club. Lao Che grieved at his death.

While this particular scene is not actually shown in Temple of Doom it is nonetheless hinted at by the large wound on Kao Kan's left hand, which is tightly wrapped and bandaged upon him pulling out his revolver during a particularly tense moment (upon Indy's arrival to the club).

Lao Che was a well-known merchant whose many businesses included an air freight service, an import-export company, a pharmaceutical plant, several taverns, and the Club Obi Wan, one of the most spectacular nightclubs in Shanghai's International Settlement. It featured fine dining, a full-scale Broadway-style floor show, and a very private after-hours casino below.

As Indiana Jones met Lao Che at Club Obi Wan to deliver a priceless Chinese urn containing the lost ashes of Nurhachi in exchange for a rare diamond, Lao decided to instead double-cross Jones by poisoning him. Desperate to get Lao to back down, Jones tried to threaten the gang lord by holding his prized possession -- Club Obi Wan singer Willie Scott -- hostage. However, recovered artifacts and priceless gems held Lao's heart more, and the gangster called his bluff by saying he could keep her.

Lao Che's character in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was portrayed by the late Shanghai born and raised Chinese actor, Roy Chiao, who died in 1999 due to complications from heart disease. Before his death, fans had called for the return of Lao Che in the next Indiana Jones film, with Chiao reprising his character. Spielberg had stated he was open to re-using the character, and that Chiao, as well as Ric Young who played Kao Kan, was interested in starring in more of the films. It remains to be seen whether Kao Kan, Lao Che's son, will be re-appearing in the films.

Today, the overconfident quote, "Nice try, Lao Che," uttered by Indiana Jones in the movie as he makes his escape--via a (unbeknownst to him) doomed "Lao Che"-owned airplane--is customarily used by foreign expats to celebrate one's successful departure from (and survival of) the myriad cesspool of vices and venoms that is the city of Shanghai. The self-congratulatory phrase also carries with it the implication of a wary eye towards the future, as one's proverbial plane (or liver) might nonetheless still meet a dark, Shanghai-related end. Suitable environs in which "Nice try, Lao Che" may be invoked include the Departures Gate of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the harried platforms of the Shanghai Railway Station."

Notes

1. "The Case of Earl Thompson". Pemmican Press. Vol. 32, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)"
2. "Something Up His Sleaze". Moshplant. 09 July 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "authorarrel Plant" ignored (help)

• Indiana Jones characters
• Fictional mobsters