Born: June 17, 1929 - Died: July 28, 2014
James Shigeta, the talented actor known for his roles in films such as "Die Hard", was born in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. He emerged as the biggest East Asian star in the United States for several decades. Shigeta's career showcased the changing interests of the country in East Asian-themed films, yet he consistently brought a cool and classy style to both leading and supporting roles. Not only was he an aspiring song-and-dance man, he also had a series of romantic leading roles in the late fifties and a memorable performance in a glitzy production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical. Despite an erratic career, Shigeta's status as the foremost East Asian leading man in twentieth-century U.S. film remains undiminished.
Early Life and Career
James Shigeta had a childhood in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, where he was born on June 17, 1929. Shigeta began his career as an aspiring song-and-dance man.
He made his professional debut with his first major successful role in a glitzy production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical. This breakthrough solidified his status as a leading man in the late fifties, showcasing his cool and classy style. Shigeta's role in "Die Hard" further catapulted him into stardom, displaying his versatility and talent.
It is undeniable that Shigeta made a significant impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry. As the foremost East Asian leading man in twentieth-century U.S. film, he broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of actors. His contributions have cemented his place as an icon and legend in the industry.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Yorktown: A Time to Heal (Short) | Admiral Nogura |
| 2012 | The People I've Slept With | Charles Yang |
| 2005 | Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series) | Old Wanderer (voice) |
| 2004 | Threat Matrix (TV Series) | Kang Sok-Joo |
| 2002 | A Ribbon of Dreams | Jimmy Chan |
| 2000 | Brother | Sugimoto |
| 1999 | Beverly Hills, 90210 (TV Series) | Ben Sosna |
| 1998 | Mulan | General Li (voice) |
| 1997 | Drive | Mr. Lau |
| 1997 | The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (TV Series) | Mr. Yamashiro | Japanese Prime Minister | Inspector Mantjur (voice) |
| 1996 | Cybill (TV Series) | Mr. Matsuzaki |
| 1996 | Space Marines | Ambassador Nakamura |
| 1995 | Midnight Man | Mao Mak |
| 1994 | Cage II | Tin Lum Yin |
| 1994 | Babylon 5 (TV Series) | Taro Isogi |
| 1993–1994 | Renegade (TV Series) | Hideo Maruyama | Mr. Ota |
| 1994 | Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die (TV Movie) | Det. Whoo |
| 1994 | SeaQuest 2032 (TV Series) | President Hoi Chi |
| 1987–1992 | Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) | Luc Li | John Sukahara |
| 1990 | China Cry: A True Story | Dr. Sung |
| 1989 | Jake and the Fatman (TV Series) | Mr. Koso Nakasone |
| 1989 | Dragnet (TV Series) | Mr. Minn |
| 1989 | A Peaceable Kingdom (TV Series) | Dr Okawa |
| 1989 | Cage | Tin Lum Yin |
| 1989 | Mission: Impossible (TV Series) | Ki |
| 1988 | Die Hard | Takagi |
| 1984–1988 | Simon & Simon (TV Series) | Chen | Musashi Sato | Daniel Yoshiro |
| 1987 | The Hitchhiker (TV Series) | Nishi |
| 1986 | The Family Martinez (TV Movie) | Judge Yamamoto |
| 1983–1986 | Magnum, P.I. (TV Series) | Mr. Obotu | Dr. Richard Enoka |
| 1985 | Airwolf (TV Series) | Colonel Tranh Van Zung |
| 1984 | Matt Houston (TV Series) | Lin Ha |
| 1983 | Masquerade (TV Series) | Mako |
| 1983 | The Love Boat (TV Series) | Bud's Father |
| 1983 | T.J. Hooker (TV Series) | Chow Duc Khan |
| 1982 | The Renegades (TV Movie) | Jimmy Lee |
| 1982 | Strike Force (TV Series) | Leong |
| 1982 | Tomorrow's Child (TV Movie) | Donald Shibura |
| 1982 | The Greatest American Hero (TV Series) | Colonel Shawn Liang |
| 1980 | Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb (TV Movie) | Field Marshall Abehata |
| 1979 | Samurai (TV Movie) | Takeo Chisato |
| 1979 | Fantasy Island (TV Series) | General Lin Sun |
| 1978 | The Rockford Files (TV Series) | Clement Chin |
| 1978 | Police Woman (TV Series) | Bernie Kim |
| 1977 | The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (TV Series) | Kapala |
| 1977 | Little House on the Prairie (TV Series) | Sam Wing |
| 1977 | Once an Eagle (TV Mini Series) | Lin Tso-Han |
| 1976 | Arthur Hailey's the Moneychangers (TV Mini Series) | Wizard Wong |
| 1976 | The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series) | Prosecutor |
| 1976 | Midway | Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo |
| 1976 | The Killer Who Wouldn't Die (TV Movie) | David Lao |
| 1976 | S.W.A.T. (TV Series) | Lieutenant Eddie Chew |
| 1976 | Ellery Queen (TV Series) | Stephen Yang |
| 1975 | Matt Helm (TV Series) | Tom McCauley |
| 1975 | Khan! (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1974–1975 | Kung Fu (TV Series) | Col. Lin Pei | Master Kwan Li |
| 1974 | The Yakuza | Goro |
| 1974 | Emergency! (TV Series) | Nathan O'Brien |
| 1974 | The Questor Tapes (TV Movie) | Dr. Chen |
| 1973 | Lost Horizon | Brother To-Lenn |
| 1969–1973 | Medical Center (TV Series) | Resident Doctor | Doctor Osaka | Dr. Osaka ... |
| 1969–1971 | Ironside (TV Series) | Toshio Watari | Il Pak Soong |
| 1970 | Mission: Impossible (TV Series) | Shiki |
| 1969 | The Young Lawyers (TV Series) | Lee Ahn |
| 1968 | Hawaii Five-O (TV Series) | Joseph Matsukino |
| 1968 | Escape to Mindanao (TV Movie) | Lt. Takahashi |
| 1968 | Manila, Open City | Captain Murakami |
| 1968 | It Takes a Thief (TV Series) | Fong Sing |
| 1968 | Nobody's Perfect | Diver Toshi O'Hara |
| 1967 | The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Chinese Junk | George Ti Ming |
| 1967 | Death Walks in Laredo | Lester Kato |
| 1966 | Paradise, Hawaiian Style | Danny Kohana |
| 1965 | I Spy (TV Series) | Tommy |
| 1964–1965 | Ben Casey (TV Series) | Dr. Harvey Lee | Father Michael Hsueh |
| 1965 | Perry Mason (TV Series) | Ward Toyama |
| 1965 | The Bing Crosby Show (TV Series) | Joe |
| 1964 | Carol for Another Christmas (TV Movie) | Doctor |
| 1963–1964 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | AIO Capt. Newa | Maj. Jong |
| 1964 | The Lieutenant (TV Series) | Capt. Myang Dee |
| 1964 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Sidney Ying |
| 1963 | Dr. Kildare (TV Series) | Dr. Roy Shigera |
| 1962 | Naked City (TV Series) | James Kam |
| 1961 | Flower Drum Song | Wang Ta |
| 1961 | Alcoa Premiere (TV Series) | Captain |
| 1961 | Playdate (TV Series) | Major Ri |
| 1961 | Bridge to the Sun | Hidenari Terasaki |
| 1961 | Cry for Happy | Suzuki |
| 1960 | Walk Like a Dragon | Cheng Lu |
| 1959 | The Crimson Kimono | Det. Joe Kojaku |
General:
Page by @kendewitt
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