Known for

Acting

Born

May 8, 1929

Died

Aug 28, 2007 (aged 78)

Place of birth

Otaru, Hokkaidō, Giappone

Miyoshi Umeki

Miyoshi Umeki (梅木 美代志, Umeki Miyoshi; or ミヨシ・ウメキ Miyoshi Umeki, May 8, 1929 – August 28, 2007) was a Japanese American singer and actress. She was best known for being the first Asian actor to win an Academy Award for her acting debut as Katsumi in the romantic drama film Sayonara (1957). Umeki was also best known for playing Mrs. Livingston in the television series The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1969-1972) and for playing Mei Li in the broadway musical Flower Drum Song, which earned her a nomination for a Tony Award. She would later reprise the role for the musical's 1961 film adaptation.

Titles

What's My Line?

Series • 1950

The Virginian

Series • 1962

Dr. Kildare

Series • 1961

The Donna Reed Show

Series • 1958

Rawhide

Series • 1959

The Ed Sullivan Show

Series • 1948

Burke's Law

Series • 1963

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show

Series • 1956

Mister Ed

Series • 1961

The Courtship of Eddie's Father

Series • 1969

The Oscars

Series • 1953

Sam Benedict

Series • 1962

The Pet Set

Series • 1971

Sayonara

Movie • 1957

Flower Drum Song

Movie • 1961

Cry for Happy

Movie • 1961

A Girl Named Tamiko

Movie • 1962

The Horizontal Lieutenant

Movie • 1962