
James Shigeta
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.
40
Films
52
TV Shows
Known For
92 Credits
Murder, She Wrote
as John Sukahara
1984

Murder, She Wrote
as Luc Li
1984

Perry Mason
as Ward Toyama
1957

The Love Boat
as Bud's Father
1977

Beverly Hills, 90210
as Ben Sosna
1990

Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Audience Member
1944

Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Nominee
1944

Magnum, P.I.
as Richard Enoka
1980

Magnum, P.I.
as Mr. Obotu
1980

Ironside
1967

Babylon 5
as Taro Isogi
1994

Little House on the Prairie
as Sam Wing
1974