James Shigeta
Biography
James Shigeta was an American actor of Japanese descent. He was born on June 17, 1929, in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA. Shigeta's acting career spanned multiple roles in film and television. He was known for his work in notable projects, including The Crimson Kimono, Walk Like a Dragon, Flower Drum Song, Bridge to the Sun, Die Hard, and Mulan. Shigeta won the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male in 1960, along with three other actors. He appeared in 86 known credits throughout his career. Shigeta passed away on July 28, 2014, at the age of 85 in Beverly Hills, California, USA.
Career overview
James Shigeta was an American actor of Japanese descent who began his acting career in the late 1950s. He is known for his roles in several films, including The Crimson Kimono, Walk Like a Dragon, Flower Drum Song, Bridge to the Sun, Die Hard, and Mulan. Shigeta's early career involved playing romantic male lead roles, which were relatively rare for an actor of Asian descent at the time.
Shigeta's career spanned multiple decades, with a notable achievement being his win of the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male in 1960. This award was shared with three other actors. Throughout his acting career, Shigeta appeared in a total of 86 known credits.
Shigeta's contributions to Asian American representation in media are significant, as he was a trailblazer in a time when opportunities for actors of Asian descent were limited. His work in films helped pave the way for future generations of Asian American actors.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
96 titles- Beam Me Up, Sulu (2025) as Self
- Yorktown: A Time to Heal (2022) as Admiral Heilachiro Nogura
- Yellowface: Asian Whitewashing and Racism in Hollywood (2019) as (archive footage)
- The People I've Slept With (2009) as Charles Yang
- Hollywood Chinese (2007) as Self
- The Slanted Screen (2006) as Himself
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) as Old Wanderer (voice)
- Threat Matrix (2003) as Kang Sok-Joo
- Brother (2000) as Sugimoto
- Qigong: Ancient Chinese Healing for the 21st Century (1999) as Narrator
- Mulan (1998) as General Li (voice)
- Drive (1997) as Mr. Lau
- The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (1996) as Inspector Mantjur (voice)
- The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (1996) as Dr. Yamashiro (voice)
- Space Marines (1996) as Ambassador Nakamura
- Cybill (1995) as Mr. Matsuzaki
- Midnight Man (1995) as Mao Mak
- Babylon 5 (1994) as Taro Isogi
- Cage II: The Arena of Death (1994) as Tin Lum Yin
- Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die (1994) as Det. Whoo
- seaQuest DSV (1993) as Vietnamese President Chi
- Renegade (1992)
- Renegade (1992) as Mr. Ota
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) as Ben Sosna
- China Cry (1990) as Dr. Sung
- Home from the Eastern Sea (1990) as Narrator
- Cage (1989) as Tin Lum Yin
- Die Hard (1988) as Joseph Yoshinobu Takagi
- Slaying the Dragon (1988)
- Jake and the Fatman (1987) as Mr. Koso Nakasone
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as John Sukahara
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Luc Li
- Airwolf (1984) as Colonel Tranh Van Zung
- The Hitchhiker (1983) as Nishi
- Masquerade (1983) as Makko
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Chow Duc Khan
- Matt Houston (1982) as Lin Ha
- The Renegades (1982) as Jimmy Lee
- Tomorrow's Child (1982) as Donald Shibura
- Simon & Simon (1981)
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Richard Enoka
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Mr. Obotu
- Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb (1980) as Field Marshal Abehata
- Samurai (1979) as Takeo Chisato
- The Love Boat (1977) as Bud's Father
- The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)
- Midway (1976) as Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo
- Once an Eagle (1976) as Lin Tso-Han
- The Killer Who Wouldn't Die (1976) as David Lao
- Ellery Queen (1975) as Stephen Yang
- S.W.A.T. (1975)
- Matt Helm (1975) as Tom McCauley
- Little House on the Prairie (1974) as Sam Wing
- The Rockford Files (1974) as Clement Chin
- Police Woman (1974)
- The Yakuza (1974) as Goro
- The Questor Tapes (1974) as Dr. Chen
- Lost Horizon (1973) as Brother To-Lenn
- Emergency! (1972)
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972)
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972) as Prosecutor
- Kung Fu (1972) as Master Kwan Li
- Kung Fu (1972) as Col. Lin Pei
- Medical Center (1969) as Dr. Osaka
- The Young Lawyers (1969) as Lee Ahn
- Operation Heartbeat (1969) as Chief Resident
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Joseph Matsukino
- Nobody's Perfect (1968) as Diver Toshi O'Hara
- Escape to Mindanao (1968) as Lt. Takahashi
- Manila, Open City (1968) as Captain Murakami
- Ironside (1967)
- Death Walks in Laredo (1967) as Lester Koto
- The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Chinese Junk (1967) as George Ti Ming
- Mission: Impossible (1966) as Shiki
- Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966) as Danny Kohana
- The Bing Crosby Show (1964)
- Carol for Another Christmas (1964) as Japanese Doctor
- Burke's Law (1963) as Sidney Ying
- The Outer Limits (1963) as Maj. Jong
- The Outer Limits (1963) as AIO Captain Newa
- The Lieutenant (1963)
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Dr. Roy Shigera
- Ben Casey (1961)
- Ben Casey (1961) as Dr. Harvey Lee
- Kraft Mystery Theatre (1961)
- Cry for Happy (1961) as Suzuki
- Flower Drum Song (1961) as Wang Ta
- Bridge to the Sun (1961) as Hidenari Terasaki
- Walk Like a Dragon (1960) as Cheng Lu
- The Crimson Kimono (1959) as Detective Joe Kojaku
- Naked City (1958) as James Kam
- Perry Mason (1957) as Ward Toyama
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Audience Member
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Winner
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is James Shigeta best known for?
James Shigeta is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Zatoichi (2003), Finding Forrester (2000), Brother (2000), Mulan (1998).
When and where was James Shigeta born?
James Shigeta was born on June 17, 1929 in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA. They passed away on July 28, 2014.
How many credits does James Shigeta have?
James Shigeta has accumulated over 96 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2025.
What is James Shigeta's background in cinema and television?
James Shigeta was an American actor of Japanese descent. He was born on June 17, 1929, in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA. Shigeta's acting career spanned multiple roles in film and television. He was known for his work in notable projects, including The Crimson Kimono, Walk Like a Dragon, Flower Drum Song, Bridge to the S...