James Shigeta
James Shigeta | |
|---|---|
Shigeta in a publicity photo for Bridge to the Sun (1961) | |
| Born | James Saburo Shigeta June 17, 1929 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S. |
| Died | July 28, 2014 (aged 85) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific |
| Other names |
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| Alma mater | New York University |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1950–2009 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | Hawaii National Guard Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1951–1954 |
| Rank | Staff sergeant |
James Saburo Shigeta (Japanese: 繁田 三郎; June 17, 1929 – July 28, 2014) was an American actor and singer. He was known for his roles in The Crimson Kimono (1959), Walk Like a Dragon (1960), Flower Drum Song (1961), Bridge to the Sun (1961), Midway (1976), Die Hard (1988), and Mulan (1998). In 1960, he won the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male, along with three other actors.
In his early career, Shigeta often played romantic male lead roles, which were almost nonexistent for an actor of Asian descent during his time, making him a trailblazer in Asian American representation in media. The Goldsea Asian-American Daily magazine listed him as one of the "Most Inspiring Asian-Americans of All Time".
Before his Hollywood career he found success as a pop singer and performer abroad, especially in Japan and Australia.