James Shigeta

James Shigeta

Personal information

Known for
Acting
Known credits
86
Gender
Male
Born
June 17, 1929
Died
July 28, 2014
Place of birth
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
Also known as
James Saburo Shigeta繁田三郎

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.

Popular

Die Hard
Movie
1988

Die Hard

Movie · 1988

Mulan
Movie
1998

Mulan

Movie · 1998

Avatar: The Last Airbender
Show
2005

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Show · 2005

Little House on the Prairie
Show
1974

Little House on the Prairie

Show · 1974

Beverly Hills, 90210
Show
1990

Beverly Hills, 90210

Show · 1990

Babylon 5
Show
1994

Babylon 5

Show · 1994