Sonny Chow (Chinese: 桑尼週, Sāng Nízhōu), born Chow Chiang Wu (Chinese: 周清武, Zhōu Qīng-wǔ), was a martial arts master who was suspected of killing John Ricca, despite already being dead at the time. At the crime scene, hairs matching Chow's were found. As such, his body had to be exhumed to determine if the body in his coffin was really his, as he could have faked his death. A day before he died, an Asian man of similar appearance was reported missing. However, Sonny Chow was in fact the man buried in the coffin, confusing things. This was part of a plot by Chris Downey, who needed to have Chow exhumed so he could reclaim the jewels he hid in a pillow in the coffin. He stole a brush with Chow's hair from a Sonny Chow fan museum so he could plant the hair at the scene.
In Mr. Monk Makes a Friend, Monk and Hal Tucker watch Sonny Chow films.
Chow was born in San Francisco, but raised in Hong Kong, much like the real-life Bruce Lee, who he's based off of.