Miyoshi Umeki

Miyoshi Umeki was a Japanese-American singer and actress who achieved fame and recognition in both Japan and the United States. She was the first Asian performer to win an Academy Award for acting, and the first to receive a Tony Award nomination for a musical. She was also known for her roles in the television series The Courtship of Eddie's Father and the film Flower Drum Song. Umeki was born in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan, as the youngest of nine children. Her father owned an iron factory, and her mother was a homemaker. She developed an early passion for music, learning to play the mandolin, harmonica, and piano. She also enjoyed singing American pop songs, influenced by traditional kabuki theater and jazz music. She began her career as a nightclub singer in Japan, using the name Nancy Umeki. She recorded for RCA Victor Japan from 1950 to 1954, and appeared in the film Seishun Jazu Musume. She sang mostly American jazz standards, in both Japanese and English, or in either language. Some of the songs she sang during this period were "It Isn't Fair", "Sentimental Me", "My Foolish Heart", "With A Song In My Heart", "Again", "Vaya con Dios", "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?" and "I'll Walk Alone". She moved to the United States in 1955, and after appearing on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts, she signed with Mercury Records and released two albums. Her appearances on the Godfrey program brought her to the attention of director Joshua Logan, who cast her in the film Sayonara, based on James A. Michener's novel. She played Katsumi, a Japanese woman who falls in love with an American airman, played by Red Buttons, during the Korean War. Their romance faces prejudice and tragedy, as they are ostracized by both societies. Umeki won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role, becoming the first Asian performer to do so. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award. In 1958, she starred in the Broadway musical Flower Drum Song, based on the novel by C.Y. Lee. She played Mei Li, a Chinese immigrant and mail-order bride who arrives in San Francisco's Chinatown. She sang the songs "A Hundred Million Miracles", "I Am Going to Like It Here", and "Love, Look Away". She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance. The show ran for two years, and was a critical and commercial success. Umeki reprised her role in the 1961 film adaptation, directed by Henry Koster. She received positive reviews for her portrayal, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award again. Umeki also appeared in three other films in the early 1960s: Cry for Happy, The Horizontal Lieutenant, and A Girl Named Tamiko. She also made guest appearances on several television shows, such as The Donna Reed Show, Dr. Kildare, Rawhide, and Mister Ed. She was a frequent guest on variety shows, such as those hosted by Perry Como, Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Andy Williams, and Ed Sullivan. She also performed on stage in nightclubs and concerts, showcasing her singing talent. In 1969, she was cast as Mrs. Livingston, the housekeeper and nanny of a widowed magazine editor and his young son, in the television series The Courtship of Eddie's Father. She played a gentle and wise character, who often spoke in broken English and offered advice and comfort to the father and son. She also sang the theme song of the show, "Best Friend". The show was popular and ran for three seasons, until 1972. It was Umeki's last acting role, as she retired from show business after the show ended. Umeki was married twice, and had one son, Michael Hood, from her second marriage. Her first husband was Wynn Opie, a television director, whom she married in 1958 and divorced in 1967. Her second husband was Randall Hood, a film editor, whom she married in 1968 and remained with until his death in 1976. She moved to Licking, Missouri, in 1976, and lived there until her death in 2007. She died of cancer at the age of 78, and was buried in Licking Cemetery. Umeki was a trailblazer and a pioneer for Asian-American performers, who broke stereotypes and barriers with her talent and charm. She was admired and respected by her peers and fans, and left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. She was a versatile and accomplished singer and actress, who won acclaim and awards for her roles in film, stage, and television. She was a humble and gracious person, who lived a simple and private life after her retirement. She was a beloved and memorable star, who touched many hearts with her art and her spirit.