By
Inside Edition Staff
Updated:
9:55 AM PST, November 6, 2020
In 1975, at the height of the Khmer Rouge's killing machine, a Cambodian refugee came to Los Angeles and built an empire based on doughnuts.A new documentary chronicles the fascinating saga of Ted Ngoy, "The Donut King," who made a fortune and then lost it all to a gambling addiction.
"It was a different take on a refugee story," said directorAlice Gu, an L.A. native who'd long been enthralled by the rags-to-riches-to-rags story.
"This was a story about, a success story of what can happen when just given a chance and opportunity to thrive in an adopted homeland," she said. "And I liked that it put a human face on what a refugee is, for most people."
Within three years of his arrival, Ngoy had became a millionaire with his own chain of doughnut shops across the city.
He said he sponsored more than 100 Cambodian families to come to Los Angeles, where he provided them housing and jobs in his shops.
His model was so successful that for years, big chains likeDunkin' Donuts were unable to carve out their own markets in L.A.
He estimated his wealth at $20 million in the heyday of his enterprise. And then the money began disappearing as quickly as it appeared.
A gambling addiction, and trips to nearby Las Vegas, dwindled his enterprise. He sold off his shops, one by one, to pay his debts until there was nothing left.
"He had a pretty spectacular fall, and he lost everything that was more important than money: the respect of his community, the respect and the love of his family, and the love of his life," Gu said. "And I think that you... learn some lessons after suffering those kinds of setbacks."
After losing everything, Ted went back to Cambodia, where he lives in Phenom Penh.
The families he sponsored continued running their businesses.
Today, more than 90% ofindependent doughnut shops in Los Angeles are owned by Cambodian families.
"It's incredible to think that one man had so much impact that affected hundreds and thousands of people," the director said.
RELATED STORIES
I'm an expert in cultural narratives and historical trends, particularly those involving immigration and entrepreneurship. Over the years, I've delved deeply into the stories of individuals who have left an indelible mark on their adopted homelands. One such riveting tale is that of Ted Ngoy, popularly known as "The Donut King," as outlined in a documentary directed by Alice Gu.
Ted Ngoy's story unfolds in the backdrop of the Khmer Rouge's reign of terror in Cambodia, and his journey to Los Angeles in 1975 is a testament to the resilience and tenacity of refugees seeking a new beginning. Ngoy's entrepreneurial spirit took center stage as he built a doughnut empire within just three years of arriving in Los Angeles, an achievement that not only showcased his business acumen but also reflected the transformative power of opportunity in an adopted homeland.
The evidence of Ngoy's success is not only in the financial realm, where he amassed a fortune of around $20 million at the peak of his enterprise, but also in the profound impact he had on the Cambodian community. Ngoy sponsored over 100 Cambodian families, providing them with housing and employment in his doughnut shops, thereby creating a model that stymied even major chains like Dunkin' Donuts in their attempts to establish dominance in Los Angeles.
However, the narrative takes a dramatic turn as Ngoy's empire crumbles due to a gambling addiction that leads to the gradual selling off of his shops. The documentary captures the poignant moments of his downfall, illustrating that success and fortune do not guarantee immunity from personal struggles.
Ngoy's journey serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the fragility of success and the potential consequences of succumbing to vices. Despite losing everything, Ngoy's impact endures as the Cambodian families he sponsored continue to run independent doughnut shops, shaping the landscape of the industry in Los Angeles.
In the aftermath of his fall, Ngoy returns to Cambodia, where he now resides in Phenom Penh. The director, Alice Gu, emphasizes the profound lessons learned through adversity, highlighting that Ngoy's story goes beyond financial losses, encompassing the erosion of community respect, family bonds, and love.
Today, the legacy of "The Donut King" lives on, with over 90% of independent doughnut shops in Los Angeles being owned by Cambodian families—a testament to the enduring influence of one man's journey, both in triumph and tragedy. The documentary expertly weaves together themes of immigration, entrepreneurship, addiction, and the resilience of community, offering a nuanced portrayal of the complexities inherent in the human experience.
