James Shigeta

James Shigeta
Shigeta in a publicity photo for Bridge to the Sun (1961)
Born
James Saburo Shigeta

(1929-06-17)June 17, 1929
Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S.
DiedJuly 28, 2014(2014-07-28) (aged 85)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeNational Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Other names
    • Guy Brion
    • Jimmy Shigeta
Alma materNew York University
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
Years active1950–2009
Musical career
GenresTraditional pop, big band, jazz
Instrument
  • Vocals
LabelsToho Records, Choreo Records, Decca, Ava Records
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchHawaii National Guard
Marine Corps
Years of service1951–1954
RankStaff sergeant

James Saburo Shigeta (Japanese: 繁田 三郎; June 17, 1929 – July 28, 2014) was an American actor and singer of Japanese descent.[1] 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.[2][3] The Goldsea Asian-American Daily magazine listed him as one of the "Most Inspiring Asian-Americans of All Time".[4]

Before his Hollywood career he found success as a pop singer and performer abroad, especially in Japan and Australia.

  1. ^ "Friday Feature: James Shigeta". Hawaii Herald. Hilo. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  2. ^ Bergan, Ronald (July 31, 2014). "James Shigeta obituary". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  3. ^ "James Shigeta 'Led The Way' For Asian-American Lovers On Screen". Weekend Edition. August 2, 2014. NPR. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  4. ^ "The 130 Most Inspiring Asian Americans Of All Time". Goldsea. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.