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James Shigeta
AKA: James Saburo Shigeta · 繁田三郎
Acting
Born: 1929
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
29 Global Credits
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Biography
James Saburo Shigeta (June 17, 1929 – July 28, 2014) was an American actor, singer, and musician of Japanese descent. He was noted for his roles in The Crimson Kimono (1959), Walk Like a Dragon (1960), Flower Drum Song (1961), Bridge to the Sun (1961), 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.
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.
Known For
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Old Wanderer (voice)
2005 · US
Threat Matrix
Kang Sok-Joo
2003 · US
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
Inspector Mantjur (voice)
1996 · US
Cybill
Mr. Matsuzaki
1995 · US
seaQuest DSV
Vietnamese President Chi
1993 · US
Renegade
Mr. Ota
1992 · US
Beverly Hills, 90210
Ben Sosna
1990 · US
Jake and the Fatman
Mr. Koso Nakasone
1987 · US
Full Credits
| Show / Title | Year | Credit / Role |
|---|---|---|
| Avatar: The Last Airbender | 2005 | Old Wanderer (voice) |
| Threat Matrix | 2003 | Kang Sok-Joo |
| The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | 1996 | Inspector Mantjur (voice) |
| Cybill | 1995 | Mr. Matsuzaki |
| seaQuest DSV | 1993 | Vietnamese President Chi |
| Renegade | 1992 | Mr. Ota |
| Beverly Hills, 90210 | 1990 | Ben Sosna |
| Jake and the Fatman | 1987 | Mr. Koso Nakasone |
| Murder, She Wrote | 1984 | John Sukahara |
| Airwolf | 1984 | Colonel Tranh Van Zung |
| The Hitchhiker | 1983 | Nishi |
| Matt Houston | 1982 | Lin Ha |
| T. J. Hooker | 1982 | Chow Duc Khan |
| The Love Boat | 1977 | Bud's Father |
| The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries | 1977 | Contributor |
| Ellery Queen | 1975 | Stephen Yang |
| Police Woman | 1974 | Contributor |
| The Rockford Files | 1974 | Clement Chin |
| The Streets of San Francisco | 1972 | Prosecutor |
| Medical Center | 1969 | Dr. Osaka |
| Hawaii Five-O | 1968 | Joseph Matsukino |
| Burke's Law | 1963 | Sidney Ying |
| The Outer Limits | 1963 | Maj. Jong |
| The Lieutenant | 1963 | Contributor |
| Ben Casey | 1961 | Contributor |
| Dr. Kildare | 1961 | Dr. Roy Shigera |
| Naked City | 1958 | James Kam |
| The Dinah Shore Chevy Show | 1956 | Self |
| Golden Globe Awards | 1944 | Self - Nominee |