James Shigeta
Actor

James Shigeta Net Worth

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James Shigeta was a pioneering East Asian U.S. star, known for his cool and classy style. He had a series of romantic leading roles in the late 1950s, culminating in his most important one in Flower Drum Song (1961). He also had many notable T.V. guest appearances, showcasing his ability to play both sympathetic and villainous roles. Despite an erratic career, Shigeta's status as the foremost East Asian leading man of twentieth century U.S. film will remain undiminished.
James Shigeta is a member of Actor

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actor, Soundtrack
Birth Day June 17, 1929
Birth Place  Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, United States
Age 91 YEARS OLD
Died On July 28, 2014(2014-07-28) (aged 85)\nLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Birth Sign Cancer
Occupation Actor Vocalist
Years active 1959–2009
Instruments Piano
Labels Toho Records, Choreo Records, Decca, Ava Records

💰 Net worth: $900,000 (2024)

James Shigeta, a renowned actor and soundtrack artist in the United States, is projected to have a net worth of $900,000 by 2024. With an illustrious career spanning several decades, Shigeta has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Known for his memorable performances in films such as "Flower Drum Song" and "Die Hard," his talent and dedication have earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base. As his net worth continues to grow, James Shigeta's legacy as a talented actor and influential figure in the world of cinema remains unrivaled.

Biography/Timeline

1929

Born in the Territory of Hawaii of Japanese ancestry in 1929, Shigeta studied drama at New York University. Before he could fully embark on a Business career, Shigeta enlisted to serve in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War where he served for two-and-a-half years, and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

1958

In 1958 the Nichigeki Theatre in Tokyo exported their extravaganza Cherry Blossom Show to Australia with Shigeta as the male lead. The show was performed at the Empire Theatre in Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre in Brisbane, the Theatre Royal in Adelaide, and Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne. The show was a big success, with one Australian reviewer writing about Shigeta, "... has matinee idol good looks and a soothing baritone voice that should send the record companies mad for his autograph on recording contracts."

1959

Shigeta first came on screen in the U.S., in 1959 as Detective Joe Kojaku in The Crimson Kimono, a detective story that featured an interracial romantic triangle between Kojaku, his partner Sgt. Charlie Bancroft (played by Glenn Corbett), and Christine Downes (portrayed by Victoria Shaw). Shigeta's character was somewhat groundbreaking for the 1950s, an Asian detective played by an Asian actor with regular speech patterns, rather than a non-Asian made up to pass as Asian who speaks in broken English.

1960

James Shigeta shared the 1960 Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Male Newcomer with actors George Hamilton, Troy Donahue and Barry Coe.

1961

Shigeta guest starred in many television shows, beginning with Alcoa Premiere in 1961, as a Korean War era Chinese Communist who tortured star Lloyd Bridges. He continued to act in television up through Avatar: The Last Airbender in 2005.

1965

In 1965, Shigeta worked with Raymond Burr in the Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Wrongful Writ", cast as Lawyer Ward Toyama who finds himself as the defendant. Shigeta worked with Raymond Burr two more times, in the 1969 Ironside episode "Love My Enemy", and the 1971 episode "No Motive for Murder" of the same series.

1969

From 1969 to 1972, Shigeta had recurring appearances on the TV hospital drama Medical Center, in which he alternately appeared as the Resident Doctor and Doctor Osaka, for seven episodes. He played the role of Chief Resident in the series 1969 2-hour pilot U.M.C.

1976

He also continued starring in films. In 1976, he portrayed the famous Japanese admiral Chūichi Nagumo in Midway. In 1988, he played the ill-fated corporate executive Joseph Yoshinobu Takagi in the action adventure film Die Hard. Cage II: The Arena of Death from 1994 pits star Lou Ferrigno against Shigeta's character of underworld crime boss Tim Yum Yum. Shigeta lent his voice to Disney's 1998 animated film Mulan.

1982

Tomorrow's Child from 1982, with Shigeta as a medical assistant to Doctor Ed Flanders, dealt with the subject matter of a baby being brought to full term in a test tube.

2005

In 2005, Shigeta received a "Visionary Award" from the Asian-American theatre organization, East West Players, at their annual anniversary gala in Los Angeles.

2006

In 2006, Shigeta was among the actors, producers and Directors interviewed in the documentary The Slanted Screen, directed by Jeff Adachi, about the representation of Asian and Asian American men in Hollywood.

2014

Shigeta died in his sleep on July 28, 2014 at the age of 85 in Beverly Hills.

Some James Shigeta images

Tags 1929 births American male actors of Japanese descent American male singers American people of Japanese descent United States Marines American military personnel of Japanese descent American musicians of Japanese descent Traditional pop music singers 2014 deaths Male actors from Honolulu Musicians from Honolulu Male actors from Hawaii Tisch School of the Arts alumni 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors American male musical theatre actors American male voice actors Decca Records artists

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About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.